This document summarizes the results of a survey on technology use by teachers and students in a High School Equivalency Program (HEP). The survey found that while 55% of teachers use technology, only 20% incorporate it into curriculum assignments. Most technology access is limited to computer labs, and teachers primarily use technology for grading rather than instruction. The infrastructure supports for technology are also lacking, as most teachers receive infrequent training and schools lack technology plans. The document concludes that while technology access is improving, teachers and students have not fully adapted to changes in education and greater investment is needed in training and curriculum integration.
1. Technology Use 1
Technology Use in the Classroom by Teachers and Students:
For
Professor Jack Mckay
Ed. 610 Technology for Leaders
Heritage University
Toppenish, Washington
December 2, 2012
2. 2
Technology Use
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Data collection .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Use of Technology ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Instructional Strategies ............................................................................................................................. 5
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
3. Technology Use 3
Introduction
Education in America is changing rapidly when it comes to technology, more and more we are seeing
teachers and students use technology to educate and learn. Teachers are using the computer to adjust
their curriculum and using computer programs to educate students. Some school districts are already
using 100% of their curriculum online and most have distributed iPads to all their students with all
materials needed in it.
The purpose of this report was to see how many teachers in the High School Equivalency Program (HEP)
school are using technology in their classrooms, if they have the necessary infrastructure and to see if
they have viable instructional strategies. It is important to adapt to changes, the HEP program is facing a
National change in the official GED examinations. The GED testing Services will be implementing a newer
version of the test where everything will be taken online, meaning no more paper exams. Most of our
students have very limited computer skills and will be getting timed on the official exams making it
difficult due to the lack of computer skills in typing and know how to get around on it.
The HEP program will conduct a survey to all HEP programs and analyze if the programs are prepared to
help students pass the new version of the GED exams that require students to take the test 100% online.
Are the HEP instructor and students technologically ready for the future changes that are being brought
by the GED Testing Services?
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Technology Use
Data collection
Use of Technology
Technology is being used by teachers but not to a great extent considering that there school districts
already using 100% of their curriculum on the computer. In analyzing the data provided by the HEP
programs, about 55% of the teachers are using technology but only about 20% are using it to incorporate
curriculum assignments. For the most part software is not being updated and teachers are not using the
current software at great numbers.
Students are still being limited when it comes to having access to technology, most technology is still
located in the computer lab (63.5% are in the lab) and for the most part students need to be supervised.
The survey also showed that most teachers using technology for grading and not for instructional
purposes, the survey showed that 51.8% use technology for grading others for lesson preparation. Only
20.7% of the teachers are using technology and incorporating the curriculum online, which is very low
percentage in today’s computer savvy students.
Infrastructure
For the most part the surveys outcomes for computer training and participation in new technology was
low, over 64% of teacher did not participate as full voting members on technological committees and
over 41% had not gotten no updated training in the past 6 months. One thing that the schools are doing
is having a staff that can assist the students and teachers with technology, 64% of teachers responded
that they have computer technicians. For the most part technology is funded through the general
operating budget, while 43% said that it is funded through its own specific recurring annual budget a
sign that it’s moving in the right direction. For the most part schools do not have a technological plan,
about 73% of the teachers surveyed said that there was no solid plan in place. On a positive note the
survey did reflect that 95% of the computers have internet access and 86% have printing access.
5. Technology Use 5
Instructional Strategies
The survey has pointed out a big problem when it comes to addressing students’ technology
competencies, the survey has reflected that about 75% of teacher reported that there was no scope or
sequence available. The results show that close to 40% of the teachers do not incorporate learning
objectives with technology base resources, and those who do have a difficult time identifying the criteria
for successful student learning. About 25% of the teachers report having trouble getting access to the
computer lab another 18% reported that technology must be transported to the classroom and the
technology coordinator had to be present while using the technology. For those students that did have
access to the technology resources they reported that the resources where applicable to what was being
covered in class but that was only about 45% of the students.
Below is table 1.1how many teachers actually implement technology in their curriculumand table 1.2
shows data of how many teachers are using technology. The study reveals that more and more teachers
are using technology but the data also indicated that there is not enough staff development in
are teachers expected to incorporate lesson plans with specific
learner objectives related to technology?
50
40
teachers
30
20
10
0
Computer lesson plans are some lessons Detailed lesson
instruction is not used plans plans are used
not basd on
lesson plans
categories
incorporating the curriculum into technology.
Table 1.1
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Technology Use
are the computers used by teachers or is the coumputer teacher the
only one who dispenses technology instruction?
70
60
50
Teachers
40
30
20
10
0
Computer teachers few teachers use it few teachers use it routinely used by
only regulary routinely teachers
Categories
Table 1.2
Summary
Technology is so ever changing and it is doing so at a fast pace that if we as a society don’t adapt
technology into our educational system we are going to be getting more behind when it comes to
preparing students. Teachers are using technology but not in great numbers and for those who are using
technology are not incorporating it into the class curriculum. Most teachers are using it for basic data
entry and not for educating students through online educational programs or curriculums. Teachers have
very low participation when it comes to technology and trainings. Schools need to start embarrassing
technology and start incorporating technological plans in their schools that would be easy to follow and
update.
Overall in the survey did show signs of improvement, it’s just taking its course at its own pace. Overall
teachers are interested in technology and getting trained and updated software. With time our teachers
and students are going to have technology in their classrooms for all to use. Right now we just need to
get their by providing the right trainings for teachers and students.
7. Technology Use 7
Conclusion
Teachers and students for the most part have not caught up to the changes that technology has brought
to education. Some schools are ready but are a small percentage of them and are excelling due to the
technology being implemented into the curriculum. One way that I can see technology increasing in
schools is by putting more funding in training and updating technology on a regular basis. Teachers need
to learn how to implement their curriculum into technology and know how to use it. It seems that
schools have the technology in place it’s just the lack of not connecting technology and education, once
this is figured out.
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Technology Use
References
Mckay, J. (2012). Technology survey for schools. Monkey Survey.