Teachers Who Seek Computer Education [microform] : Their Attitudes, Needs, and Motivation / Joyce E. Killian

Teachers (n=61) who were participants in computer literacy workshops at Southern Illinois University were compared with a general sample of teachers in terms of their needs, attitudes, and motivation toward computer education. Nationwide data for comparison were taken from "Computers in the Classroom: A NEA Survey Report." The NEA sample of 1,700 yielded a response rate of 72.5 percent. Southern Illinois University workshop participants were asked to respond to 78 items on: (1) sources of encouragement for using computers with students; (2) level at which participants perceived themselves to be informed about computer subjects; (3) interest in learning how to use a computer for various purposes; (4) interest in learning about subjects related to computers in the classroom; (5) extent to which they believed that the future of schools and teaching would be influenced by computers; and (6) extent to which they believed that aspects of their teaching careers would be influenced by the computer movement. Comparison of group means indicated significant differences on several survey items. Workshop participants were more likely to report support from colleagues, administration, and students. Participants also had an interest in a wider range of computer subjects, were less threatened by the projected role of computers in education, and tended to shift their attitudes and interests over the course of the semester. (JMK)