Not Yet Comfortable in the Classroom: A Study of Academic Computing at Three Land-Grant Universities

Abstract

Classroom usage, among known faculty users, of computers was studied in three land grant universities to determine the level at which computers have been integrated into the instructional process. Among the 302 faculty surveyed across six collegiate categories, at best only one of four actually integrates computing into the classroom experience. One in three uses computers for laboratory teaching. The majority assign students to use computing outside of the classroom. Availability of resources is seen as the greatest barrier, but training and incentives also deter computer use in the classroom. Somewhat surprising is the finding that these users of computing are not totally convinced that classroom use of computers is worthwhile.