Why do Teachers Fear Technology?
Date
2024-09
Authors
Ted Zurakowski
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Conference Proceeding and Abstract
Degree Level
Abstract
This paper examines challenges and opportunities for teachers and schools in overcoming barriers to integrating technology into their classrooms. It identifies the main internal and external barriers to why more teachers are not adopting pedagogy infused with technology and pushes back against the popular notion of blaming the classroom teacher.
The author is a twenty-eight-year teacher with a career spent in the K-12 education system in
Saskatchewan, Canada. With service time in four school divisions and seven different schools and experience from kindergarten to grade twelve in a variety of subjects, the author has gained a wide-ranging perspective.
The research findings underscore the need for immediate solutions to address external factors such as a lack of meaningful and timely professional development, accessible hardware, insufficient technical support, and sustainable and adequate funding. Research also reveals that when external barriers become ingrained, internal barriers become activated. Internal barriers to teachers' integration of technology include a teacher’s own self-efficacy and attitude and previous negative experiences with technology.
Description
Keywords
Technology, Internal Barriers, External Barriers, Professional Development, Pedagogy, Self-efficacy, Technostress, Education, Teacher Training
Citation
Zurakowski, T. (2024). Why do Teachers Fear Technology? Why are Schools so Reluctant to Integrate Technology into Their Classrooms? In MacDowell, P. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Educational Technology and Design (ETAD) Summer Institute, Saskatoon, Canada