Mid Morning Reflections: - ICT in schools, Attitudes and perceptions of ICT

Module 2

Activity 2: Attitudes and perceptions of ICT

After reading the article "Two generations of Teachers Differences in attitudes towards ICT", by Silvia Ferrero, it was clear to me that a number of conclusions can be drawn.

Will the underdeveloped nations every be able to compete with the developed ones as regards ICT integration in education?  This is a question that many are asking but there is another important question that is also being asked that may be at the heart of the anticipated reformation to see ICT integration in our schools.  This one deals with the decade old worry of how do we bridge the generation divide between the older teachers' perception to ICT integration in the classroom as compared to that of the younger teachers of our profession.  Or, is there really a generation divide as some have alluded to over the years?

Putting that aside, will the financial commitments made to see the introduction of ICT into our teaching and learning ever benefit us to the extent of improved results for our students?  Below are a few of the conclusions that were drawn by myself and the author after reading the article.

1. There is no measurable difference between the ICT skill level in younger and older teachers.
2. Expertise in the use of ICT in education has been a source of separation between teachers of different generations.
3. A lack of collaboration has negatively impacted the use of ICT in curricula activities among some teachers and their colleagues.
4. A lack of institutional support has caused teachers to be hesitant about the use of ICT in the classroom.
5. A lack of technical support  and professional advice can account for some teachers' negative attitude towards the use of ICT in the classroom.

After thinking over the above conclusions I had to hypothesize that "A lack of sufficient collaboration among teachers has caused many teachers to become hesitant about the use of ICT in the classroom."  This I beg to submit will form the basis for my further research into the lack of complete ICT integration into our teaching and learning at our schools.

Until next time.....