ATTITUDE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TOWARDS NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES AND ITS USE IN CLASSROOM TEACHING

Educational methodologies of the conventional kind are not adequate for the new challenges of the time. Rapid changes in new information and communication technologies necessitate corresponding paradigm shifts in the teaching learning process. In an environment that demands the use of technology, educators should be knowledgeable of the components that make up the overall computer attitudes of students and be willing to investigate the processes and techniques of effective teaching and learning that can take place with computer technology. Over the last three decades, the availability of Network Technologies in Senior Secondary classrooms is increasing, yet the use of such resources continues to be low. A major reason may be teachers' attitudes toward the use of Network Technologies due to lack of opportunities for teachers to collaborate on integrating these resources into classroom practices. There are many factors which influence teachers’ use of computer technology such as knowledge, training, time, attitude towards computers, gender influences etc. In order to utilize the growing range of electronic resources, teachers must acquire and practice the skills necessary to exploit them. This paper aimed to evaluate and understand the factors that will explain network technologies and its classroom use among senior secondary teachers which will be critical if utilization of technology for academic transactions is to be enhanced. It is expected that the results of the present research on the subject will prove to be useful for planners of school curricula, in expansion of network communication technologies and their usage in all areas of senior secondary education. This research concentrated on attitudes of regular mode Secondary School teachers towards Network technologies and its use in classroom teaching in Chandigarh, India. It employed the Descriptive method of research including interviews and questionnaires to obtain empirical information on this practice. The research is likely to recommend further investigation on how Network Technology can change the attitude and motivation of teachers and students around the world.