Integrating Computers in Elementary Grade Classroom Instruction—Analyses of Teachers' Perceptions in Present and Preferred Situations

Abstract

This study explored elementary grade teachers' personal experience with instructional computing and the role of computers they would like to see in classroom instruction. One hundred forty-nine teachers from 15 elementary schools randomly chosen from two counties in western New York participated in the study. Teachers answered a survey questionnaire on their training and knowledge in computers, their comfort level in using computers for teaching, and computer usage in classroom instruction. The teachers also answered to what extent do they prefer to receive more training, be more comfortable using computers, and integrate computers more in their teaching. Based on teachers' responses, significant differences and positive correlation were found between teachers' present computer training, level of comfort, and computer usage in the classrooms as compared to their preferred training, comfort, and usage.