Teacher Preparation in the Use of Computers.

Overview & Synopsis

A survey was conducted to determine the amount and types of computer training supplied to prospective and practicing teachers in schools of education. Questionnaires were distributed to a stratified national probability sample of 428 institutions of higher education representing an estimated total of 1,220 colleges and universities providing general elementary and secondary teacher education. Results (based on a response rate of 96%) indicate that: (1) three-fifths of the schools offered computer courses (one-half of the undergraduate programs and two-thirds of the graduate programs); (2) about 20,000 microcomputers were available for use by education students, with an average of 26 for each school of education that offered a computer course; (3) the most widely offered undergraduate computer course (i.e., a course devoting 80% or more of class time to computers) was the introductory course, available in 62% of all schools with undergraduate computer education courses; (4) 42% of schools with courses in computers offered a course in "instructional uses of computers"; (6) proportionately fewer graduate programs had computer course requirements than undergraduate programs; and (7) the most frequently identified problems encountered in developing a computer training program were inadequate software (45%), a shortage of computer-trained faculty (42%), and inadequate hardware (34%). Almost all schools of education reported some plans to initiate or increase computer education programs in the next two years; areas specified for high-priority development in the undergraduate curriculum included adding computer components within existing courses (62%), adding computer courses (61%), and increasing requirements for computer courses (50%). Eight data tables and a copy of the questionnaire are provided. (JB)