Date of Award
2004
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services
Advisor
William Thayer
Committee Member
James Davis
Committee Member
Maryellen Maher
Keywords
computer skills, computer software, computer technology, computers, curriculum delivery, data analysis, educational technology, hardware, instructional tools, measurement and assessment, participation, pedagogy, preparedness, professional development, program evaluation, staff development, surveys, teacher effectiveness, teacher training, technology integration, technology resistance, traditional teaching methods, training programs, updated software, utilization of technology, workplace learning
Abstract
This program was designed to have teachers utilize computer technology as an instrument to develop the computer skills necessary to use computers in the classroom as an educational instructional tool. The goal was to assess the current professional development program and have a program designed to implement and train educators to use updated computer software and hardware. This program would have teachers utilizing computer technology as an instrument to assist in the delivery of specific curriculum.
Measurement and assessment instruments were instituted to assess the effectiveness of these activities and what impact, if any, this professional development program had on preparing teachers for technology integration of computers. Surveys gauging the level of teacher effectiveness, participation, and preparedness reflected how many teachers actually made the shift from traditional methods of pedagogy to integrating computers.
An analysis of the data revealed that teachers, for various reasons, were resistant to change and the newly created staff development program. Although on some levels portions of the professional development program were successfully established, new training programs still need to be created and the majority of the classroom teachers still need to integrate computers as an instructional tool.