Why teachers need to be positive with ICT

As stated by Hew, Brush and Glazewski (2008) America spent around $7.87 billion on new technology for schools. This is an example of how technology is becoming so prolific in education and learning around the world. Beauchamp (2013) explains how teachers have had to learn ICT skills whilst they train and throughout their careers. Both these statements alone, tell me that technology is becoming a major factor of the education system and teachers will need to be able to use technology in teaching to a very good standard.

In my experience I believe that unless the teacher is confident in using technology, the pupils will not be as engaged during the lesson and learn to their full potential. Ottenbreit-Leftwich, Glazewski, Newby, and Ertmer (2010) believe that the beliefs of a teacher could be the barrier to them not using technology in their classroom. Similarly, Newhouse (2001) suggested based on research that had been conducted, that some teachers believed that technology would not create faster learning or give the pupils a better understanding.

This could be difficult for students who could potentially be missing out on skills associated with ICT, which are being learnt by pupils that have teachers who welcome technology into their classroom. This not only could potentially leave lacking behind in some skills behind but also create a divide in learning.

Reference:

Beauchamp, G. (2013). ICT in the Primary School From Pedagogy to Practice. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.

Hew, Kf, Brush, T, & Glazewski, Kd. (2008). Development of an instrument to measure preservice teachers' technology skills, technology beliefs, and technology barriers. 25(1-2), 112-125.

Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T., Glazewski, K. D., Newby, T. J., & Ertmer, P. A. (2010). Teacher value beliefs associated with using technology: Addressing professional and student needs. Computers & Education, 55, 1321-1335.