A Study of Teachers\u27 Perceptions of Computer Usage and Staff Development Needs in Edwards County CUSD #1, Albion, Illinois

In recent years the integration of computer technology into the activities for students in public schools has become an important goal for educators throughout the nation. This study was designed to determine Edwards County Community Unit School District (CUSD) #1 teachers\u27 perceptions regarding (a) use of computers at home and at school; (b) the extent that school personnel in buildings have established a technology plan; (c) availability of computer technology to students and themselves; and (d) the preferred time, method of training (e.g., workshops, one-on-one instruction, and college course), and incentives to attend computer staff development program. The study took place during the spring of 1996. The study included a questionnaire that was given to the 67 teachers of Edwards County CUSD #1, which is comprised of Albion Grade School, West Salem Grade School, and Edwards County High School. The questionnaire was developed by the Technology Committee of Edwards County CUSD #1, of which the researcher was the chairperson. Fifty-seven teachers (85%) responded to the questionnaire. The results indicated that while teachers agreed that computer technology could have a positive impact on student learning, most teachers did not use a computer at home or at school. Additionally, only 9% of the teachers indicated that there was a technology plan in place at their school. In general, the respondents indicated that there were no computers in their classrooms. The results of the questionnaire also indicated that teachers\u27 preferences (84%) to attend staff development for computer usage was for inservice days. Computers for the teachers\u27 classrooms was the preferred incentive (39%) to attend staff development for computer usage. The findings led to four recommendations: (a) provide staff development workshops for effective utilization of computers, (b) make teachers aware of the current technology plan in their building, (c) make computers more readily available to teachers in their classrooms, and (d) provide computer technology workshops on teacher inservice days