TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD USE OF TECHNOLOGY: A RESEARCH FOR INFORMATICS TECHNOLOGY USE IN
EDUCATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Istanbul Arel University (TURKEY)
About this paper:
Appears in:
EDULEARN10 Proceedings
Publication year: 2010
Pages: 2652-2662
ISBN: 978-84-613-9386-2
ISSN: 2340-1117
Conference name: 2nd International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies
Dates: 5-7 July, 2010
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Abstract:
Informatics technology has helped greatly the progress of education in the primary schools. For example, downloadable Internet research materials assist teachers in preparing their lesson plans. And librarians now have educational DVDs and microfilm to teach students about how the library operates.
Because of informatics technology in the primary schools, teachers can find creative ways to develop their lesson plans. For instance, if a teacher wants to do a lesson on the development of the skeletal system, he can go to kids' health sites that offer a simplistic version of the system that's easier for students to understand.
It used to be that students primarily used textbooks and other non-fiction books to learn their subjects. With informatics technology, they have other avenues for success. You may have a student who decides to do a Power Point presentation on the life of an important person in history rather than an essay.
When there's informatics technology in the primary schools, students learn to think outside the box regarding classroom activities. For example, a third-grade class may want to record a DVD of a school play they are producing and performing about the importance of financial literacy.
While informatics technology is an important component in the primary schools, it's not the main thing. What's really important in primary school is having dedicated and caring administrators who will do what is necessary to educate the students.
Technology comes in a range of forms in Primary Schools. Included in this range are the tools teachers use to deliver courses, develop course materials and manage classroom administration. Add to that list the office tools used to handle finances, maintain communication, keep records and process documents and you have the main technology components used in schools.
This paper attempts to look at the impact some of this technology has had on primary school teaching and propose future threats and opportunities that technology might bring. This trend study was designed to examine a current trend and pattern, as well as a development of teachers' concerns about technology integration in the curriculum.
Thus, firstly we must learn attitudes and behaviors of educators for explaining the importance of informatics technology. For showing this, there will be prepared a questionnaire which consists of 35 questions. This was applied in a primary school to all teachers in Turkey. As a result of the questionnaire, the attitudes of educators will be interpreted and given suggestions which are needed. As a result of questionnaire: Firstly, sufficient hardware resources must be available to facilitate the change. Second, the teachers who lead this change must be trained in the use of the hardware. And finally, methods of using these technologies in a symbiotic fashion with traditional teaching methods must be developed and implemented. Teachers still often lack the knowledge and confidence to utilise the growing technology to its full educational potential.
We know now ,on findings of research studies that, properly used, technology can enhance the achievement of all students, increase families involvement in their children’s schooling, improve teachers’ skills and knowledge, and improve school administration and management.Keywords:
Informatics technology, Technology, Primary education.