How are Teachers Using Computers in the Classroom?

As most of us probably know, the vast majority of teachers have computers in the classroom. But what are they using them for? According to an article by Melinda McCannon and Tina Crews, most teachers are simply using them for adminstrative tasks, rather than integrating them into the curriculum. Naturally, the less competent teachers are with computers, the less willing and able they are to use them to teach in their content areas. There are staff development courses designed to elevate teachers' computer skills, but teachers tend to gravitate toward the classes that focus on word processing skills and spreadsheet software, that are primarily used for administrative tasks, such as keeping track of grades and writing letters to parents. One of the barriers to teachers' ability to effectively use computers in their instruction is anxiety. Limited computer competence leads to high anxiety, which negatively affects instruction. The authors agree that more computer training is necessary. But there are other considerations that keep teachers from fully integrating technology into their instruction. Teachers cite reasons such as: not having enough computers in the classroom, not being given incentives to use computers more, and the inconvenience of some of the courses offered. In addition to more computers in the classroom and more staff computer classes, the authors recommend tapping the computer strengths of the new, more computer-literate generation of teachers entering the field to model good computer use for their less sophisticated peers.

Response: I think I will need a lot more computer training before I am comfortable using computers for more than word processing. In addition to staff development courses, I definately plan on turning to my younger peers for help, much as I do in our IT class! I expect that my students will be able to show me how to perform many computer-related tasks, and rather than undermining my authority, it may be a good teaching experience for them (as long as it doesn't take up any significant class time.)