Factors Influencing the Delivery of information technology in the Secondary Curriculum: a case study

Abstract

This is a report of a single school case study in the United Kingdom in which the entire staff contributed to the results. The study centres on a survey of staff attitudes towards information technology (IT). The study finds that the majority of staff accept the National Curriculum directives to teach information technology across the curriculum and acknowledge the value of information technology within the curriculum. However, many staff lack the confidence and skills to deliver information technology within their subjects. Training is seen to be a major requirement and in-school training is highly valued and preferred.

From Vertical To Horizontal? A Longitudinal Study of Information Technology in Ten Schools

“…The overall pattern which emerges from the DFE surveys (DFE, 1993), the case study research reported here and other research (Fox & Selwood, 1992;Williams & Moss, 1993;HMI, 1992;Watson, 1993) is of slow and uneven progress in the promotion of IT across the curriculum in English schools. This patchy progress was a source of frustration for some in the schools who thought that more could, and should, have been achieved.…”

“…30-31). Williams & Moss (1993) found some resentment among subject teachers at having to teach basic IT skills and therefore support for timetabled, compulsory IT, presumably in years seven or eight (students aged 11-13). The advantage of this would be to ensure that each pupil was guaranteed some exposure to IT, although the actual degree of exposure experienced by individual pupils would depend upon classroom interaction.…”

“…The co-ordinator should have the skills to work with other teachers, and will ensure that pupils' IT experiences are brought together in a single framework of understanding. (National Curriculum Council, 1990) Williams & Moss (1993), Fox & Selwood (1992) and Owen (1992) all showed in their studies of IT in schools that the IT co-ordinator had a key role in training and staff development.…”