Organisational Factors Affecting Teachers' Use and Perception of Information & Communications Technology

Grainger, R. and Tolhurst, D.

While the learning benefits of information & communication technologies (ICTs) are widely recognised by academics and practitioners alike, the context in which teachers operate often affects the extent to which ICTs are used to achieve beneficial teaching & learning outcomes. The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to explore what organisational factors affected teachers' use and perception of ICTs, and the use of a new learning management system. Teaching staff across all learning areas at a secondary school responded to a survey. A subset of teachers and school system personnel also participated in interviews. Document analysis was used to place the results in the context of school-system planning. The study focused on three factors affecting the use and perception of ICTs: the characteristics and perceptions of leadership; the nature, relevance and usefulness of training; and, management approaches to IS/IT system implementation. Outcomes from the study are in the form of recommendations to assist the ongoing implementation of a learning management system and the integration of technology in learning environments. The findings of this study have implications for many learning environment that involve the implementation of technological systems.

Cite as: Grainger, R. and Tolhurst, D. (2005). Organisational Factors Affecting Teachers' Use and Perception of Information & Communications Technology. In Proc. South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARCC) Conference 2005 : ICT Building Bridges, Sydney, Australia. CRPIT, 46. Low, G., Ed. ACS. 13-22.

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