Factors found when integrating computer technology in a small rural school district

The purpose of this research study was to provide school board members, school administrators, and teachers with information required in developing a successful plan for the integration of computer technology into the classroom curriculum. The stated problem of this research was to identify and analyze the factors that inhibit and enhance the implementation of computer technology into the classrooms of a small rural school district.;A review of the literature was conducted in the following areas: (a) the use of computer technology in K--12 rural school districts; (b) enhancers to the integration of computer technology into the classroom curriculum in small rural school districts; (c) inhibitors to the integration of computer technology into the classroom curriculum in small rural school districts; (d) research designs in studying technology utilization. The literature review identified three positions as important elements of computer integration: teachers, administrators, and school board members. These three positions participated in the study. The survey return rate for participants was 51% or 61 participants. The instrument used in this study was designed as a six point Likert-type scale. The data from the two Likert scales were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA. The raw scores were used in the statistical analysis and a significance level of p ≥ .05 was selected. When required, the post-hoc analysis of significance F-tests was performed using the Fischer\u27s Least Significant Difference Test. The statistical program used in this study was the S-Plus program.;There was a high rate of agreement between the literature review and the positions of teachers, school administrators, and school board members of what enhanced and inhibited integration of computers into the classroom curriculum of a small rural school district. Administrators believe that teachers are one of the most significant reasons that the integration of computers into the classroom has been slow. This research has indicated that the literature review and the results of this research concur; however, the literature review did not give any indication regarding the relationships among the positions and these relationships\u27 impact on the success of computer integration into the classroom curriculum