District and School Incentives for Teacher' Instructional Uses of Microcomputers

District and School Incentives for Teacher' Instructional Uses of Microcomputers
Author: C. Stasz
Publisher:
Total Pages: 17
Release: 1985
Genre:
ISBN:

The microcomputer has become an important educational innovation, and the number of computers available for instruction in public schools is increasing dramatically. The number of teachers with training and knowledge to use computers effectively for instruction is lagging and consequently, beneficial uses of the technology are far from realized. There is widespread recognition that to optimize computer use in classrooms, many teachers will need some form of encouragement. A key factor that may encourage more widespread use of microcomputers in classroom instruction is teacher incentives. Various types of incentives have been proposed to stimulate teachers' involvement with computers. For example, organizational incentives such as support for training or providing various forms of technical assistance may help encourage the implementation of microcomputers to teachers over weekends, vacations, and summers or subsidizing teachers to author courseware may increase teachers' proficiency with computers.

Staff Development for Instructional Uses of Microcomputers

Staff Development for Instructional Uses of Microcomputers
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 27
Release: 1984
Genre: Computer-assisted instruction
ISBN:

The lack of adequately trained teachers presents a major obstacle to the effective instructional uses of microcomputers in schools. For example, a survey of all school districts in California revealed that over 60 percent of the teachers using computers were either unprepared or inadequately prepared. Over three-fourths of the districts not using computers reported that faculty had practically no preparation in instructional computer use. This shortage of trained teachers is clearly evidenced not only in California, but in other states. Moreover, a few districts have the facilities, resources, staff, and reward structure to offer a systematic training program for microcomputer-based instruction. A second factor is the number of teachers who require training. Although the number of computer-related courses offered at teacher-training institutions is increasing, the vast majority of teachers do not receive this preservice education in computer use. For example, in a national survey of 1200 teachers, only 11 percent reported receiving some computer training in college or university.

A Survey of Incentives for Staff Development of Computer-Based Instruction

A Survey of Incentives for Staff Development of Computer-Based Instruction
Author: John D. Winkler
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release:
Genre:
ISBN:

Microcomputers have been heralded as a tool with great potential for improving the quality of instruction. While there is no doubt that the number of microcomputers available for instruction is increasing dramatically, the number of teachers with training and knowledge of how to use them effectively for instruction is lagging greatly. This shortage of trained teachers occurs for a number of reasons, including a lack of computer-related courses offered in teacher training institutions, the inability of economically pressed school districts to hire new teachers with computer training, and insufficient staff development programs. The nature of incentives offered teachers will likely play a key role in encouraging their participation in staff development of microcomputer-based instruction. These incentives include incremental salary credit reimbursement for outside courses release time and new job titles with higher salaries for technically experienced teachers. The purpose of this study, sponsored by the National Institute of Education, is to examine how different forms of incentives and support increase the quality of computer-based instruction and the role that staff development plays in this process.