SURVEY ASSESSING CONDITIONS RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY REFORM
Updated: 11/29/03
This survey contains questions that research has found are related to Technology Use and Educational Reform among teachers.  Most of them originated in the Teaching, Learning & Computing: 1998 and National School Network surveys conducated at University of California, Irvine with Henry Jay "Hank" Becker.   Analysis and selection of items received additional funding from the Center for Innovative Learning Technologies (CILT)  "assessment theme team".   For more information about their selection and recommended use, please contact:  Jason Ravitz  <jason@bie.org> at the Buck Institute for Education (18 Commercial Blvd. Novato, CA  94949   415-883-0122 x 310)

Teacher Instructions:
This survey can take an hour to complete.  Please select the best response and to write in the responses that best represent their teaching beliefs, practices, and experience.  Your answers will help inform the development of better systems of support for teachers and learners and a better understanding of the technology-related practices of teachers.

Thank you so much for your patience, thoughtfulness, and time!

If you wish to be notified of the results of this survey, please contact:

Please return this survey to:

Part A. Your Teaching Philosophy
A1. The following paragraphs describe observations of two teachers' classes, Ms. Hill's and Mr. Jones'.  Check the box under the column that best answers that question for you. 
Ms. Hill was leading her class in an animated way, asking questions that the students could answer quickly; based on the reading they had done the day before. After this review, Ms. Hill taught the class new material, again using simple questions to keep students attentive and listening.   Mr. Jones' class was also having a discussion, but many of the questions came from the students themselves. Though Mr. Jones could clarify students' questions and suggest where the students could find relevant information, he couldn't really answer most of the questions himself.
   
Definitely Ms. Hill's 
Tend towards Ms. Hill's
Can't decide
Tend towards Mr. Jones'
Definitely Mr. Jones'
a. Which type of class discussion are you more comfortable having in class? 
o
o
o
o
o
b. From which type of class discussion do you think students gain more knowledge? 
o
o
o
o
o

 
A2. Indicate how much you disagree or agree with each of the following statements about teaching and learning.
 
Strongly Disagree
Moderately Disagree
Slightly Disagree
Slightly Agree
Moderately Agree
Strongly Agree
a. Students will take more initiative to learn when they feel free to move around the room during class 
o
o
o
o
o
o
b. A quiet classroom is generally needed for effective learning 
o
o
o
o
o
o
c. It is better when the teacher ?not the students?decides what activities are to be done 
o
o
o
o
o
o
d. Students should help establish criteria on which their work will be assessed 
o
o
o
o
o
o
e. Instruction should be built around problems with clear, correct answers, and around ideas that most students can grasp quickly 
o
o
o
o
o
o
f. It is very important for students to share their work outside their classroom.
o
o
o
o
o
o

 
A3. Different teachers have described very different teaching philosophies to researchers.For each of the following pairs of statements, check the box that best shows how closely your own beliefs are to each of the statements in a given pair. The closer your beliefs to a particular statement, the closer the box you check. Please4 only one for each set.
a. "I mainly see my role as a facilitator. I try to provide opportunities and resources for my students to discover or construct concepts for themselves." o o o o o "That's all nice, but students really won't learn the subject unless you go over the material in a structured way. It's my job to explain, to show students how to do the work, and to assign specific practice."
b. "It is a good idea to have all sorts of activities going on in the classroom. Some students might produce a scene from a play they read. Others might create a miniature version of the set. It's hard to get the logistics right, but the successes are so much more important than the failures." o o o o o It's more practical to give the whole class the same assignment, one that has clear directions, and one that can be done in short intervals that match students' attention spans and the daily class schedule."

A4. Indicate how much you disagree or agree with each of the following statements:
 
   
Strongly Disagree
Moderately Disagree
Slightly Disagree
Slightly Agree
Moderately Agree
Strongly Agree
a. I know of many exciting and effective ways to use computers and network resources to teach.
o
o
o
o
o
o
b. Computers and networks in schools are, to a large extent, distractions that take time and energy from more important concerns.
o
o
o
o
o
o
c. The use of computers in the school's core curriculum is not appropriate for many students.
o
o
o
o
o
o
d. Computers create more classroom problems than they solve.
o
o
o
o
o
o
e. I don't think computers add a lot to the curriculum (other than knowledge about computers).
o
o
o
o
o
o
f.  Computers may be useful for teaching and learning some things, but personally I don't see how they could be helpful in the classes I teach.
o
o
o
o
o
o
g. I have learned how to teach in new ways as a result of technology .
o
o
o
o
o
o
h. I am excited about using computers more in my work as a teacher.
o
o
o
o
o
o

* Thank you to Michael Coe of the Northwest Regional Laboratory for discussing the
performance of these and related items, leading to their use and modification here.

Part B.Your Teaching Practice

Think of the one class (i.e., specific period of your teaching day), in which you are most satisfied with your teaching, where you accomplish your teaching goals most often? Please refer to this one class when answering the remaining questions in this part of the survey. If this is a self-contained class, answer for the subject with which you usually start the day.

B1. How many students are in this class? ______
 

B2 About how often do students in this class take part in the following types of activities?
 
 
 

Never
Some
times
1-3 times per Month
1-3 times per Week
Almost Everyday
a. Work on tasks where there is no indisputably correct answer--where truth is complex and perhaps impossible to know
o
o
o
o
o
b. Work individually answering questions in the textbook or worksheets
o
o
o
o
o
c. Work in small groups to come up with a joint solution or approach to a problem or task
o
o
o
o
o
d. Work on projects that take a week or more
o
o
o
o
o
e. Write an essay in which they are expected to explain their thinking or reasoning at some length
o
o
o
o
o
f. Decide on their own procedures for solving a complex problem, and discuss the implications amongst themselves
o
o
o
o
o
g. Work on problems for which there is no obvious method of solution
o
o
o
o
o
h. Suggest or help plan classroom activities or topics or come up with their own problems to solve
o
o
o
o
o
j. Students write an essay or hold a serious discussion assessing their own work on a paper or project--what they did well, how they could have improved it, etc
o
o
o
o
o

 
B3. Please check the one description of computer use that most closely applies to you. 4 one choice, then skip as directed.
a.
 I assign and oversee student computer use in the selected class
o
  
b.
 I assign students to use computers, but not in the selected class
o
  
c.
 I oversee student computer use, but do not assign the activities
o
  
d.
 I assign students to use computers, but they are supervised by another teacher
o
  
e.
 I use computers at school myself, but not with my students
o
 Skip to Part D
f.
 I don't use computers at school, but I do use computers elsewhere
o
 Skip to Part D
g.
 I don't generally use computers, but have tried them in the past
o
 Skip to Part D
h.
 I have never really used computers in my teaching or otherwise
o
 Skip to Part E

Part C. Computer Use with Students


C1. How often is a typical student required to use computers for one of your assignments? Note: if you do not assign computers in the selected class, answer for the other class where you do.4 one choice. 1. Never

2. Rarely 

3. Monthly (at least every few weeks) 

4. Weekly (at least once per week)

5. Almost Daily (3 or more days per week) 

 o

o

o

o

o
C2. Where in school do your students tend to use computers? 4 one choice. 1. Mostly in my classroom

2. Mostly in another school location

3. About the same in both locations

 o

o

o

For the remainder of the survey, answer for all classes you teach.
C3. For each of the following types of software, please indicate for how many lessons your students have used that type of software this year for ANY of your classes.
No
lessons
1-2 lessons
3-9 lessons
10+ lessons
a.
 Games for practicing skills
o
o
o
o
b.
 Data visualization tools, including graphing calculator
o
o
o
o
c.
 Simulations or exploratory environments
o
o
o
o
d.
 Encyclopedias and other references on CD-ROM
o
o
o
o
e.
 Word processing
o
o
o
o
f.
 Software for making presentations (e.g., PowerPoint)
o
o
o
o
g.
 Graphics-oriented programs (e.g., Print Shop, Photoshop)
o
o
o
o
h.
 Spreadsheets or database programs (creating files or adding data)
o
o
o
o
i.
 Hyperstudio, HyperCard, or other multimedia authoring environment
o
o
o
o
j.
 World Wide Web browser
o
o
o
o
k.
 Electronic mail
o
o
o
o
C4. Which of the following are among the Top 3 objectives you have for student computer use? 4 ONLY 3  
a. Mastering skills just taught, or remediating skills o
b. Expressing themselves in writing o
c. Communicating electronically with other people o
d. Finding out about ideas and information o
e. Analyzing information o
f. Presenting information to an audience o
g. Improving computer skills o
h. Learning to work collaboratively o
i. Other (describe): o

Part D. Your Own Computer Experience

D1. To what extent do you feel sufficiently prepared to use computers or the Internet? How would you rate your ability to do each of the following things? Indicate your ability by circling one choice for each item. If you are not familiar with the item, circle "DK" for "Don't Know"
 
  SELF-RATING YOUR SKILLSÖ
None
Low
Medium
High
DK
a.
 Awareness of what the Internet can do and how it works 
1
2
3
4
DK
b.
 Knowledge of how to use the Internet in the curriculum.. 
1
2
3
4
DK
c.
 Ability to manage large amounts of electronic information..
1
2
3
4
DK
d.
 Classroom management skills related to using computers, e.g., managing multiple activities at the same time. 
1
2
3
4
DK
e.
 Prepare a slide show using presentation software 
1
2
3
4
DK
f.
 Including graphics in a word-processor document 
1
2
3
4
DK
g.
 Develop a multimedia file, with Hyperstudio or similar software
1
2
3
4
DK
h.
 Create a new database and establish fields and screen layouts
1
2
3
4
DK
i.
 Use software to analyze or present data visually (Sketchpad, spreadsheets, maps and graph)s
1
2
3
4
DK
j.
 Download and read a file saved in a specific format (e.g. AdobeAcrobat)
1
2
3
4
DK
k
 Produce a simple Web page (e.g., containing text and graphics)
1
2
3
4
DK
l
 Produce a web page or site with more advanced features (e.g., forms, frames, navigation, scripts, animations) 
1
2
3
4
DK
m
 Participate in "real-time" discussions, e.g., in a chat room or using two-way video and audio 
1
2
3
4
DK
D2. To what extent have you been involved in any of the following activities in your school? 4 ONE number for each item:
Never
Several per month
1-3 times a week
Almost daily
a. Helping others informally by showing them how to do things with computers or helping them solve computer problems
o
o
o
o
b. Reviewing, selecting, or purchasing hardware or software products
o
o
o
o
c. Providing advice or giving feedback about technology efforts
o
o
o
o
d. Developing products for other teachers such as software or guidelines for use
o
o
o
o
e. Serving on a technology-related planning committee at school or district level 
o
o
o
o
D3. Do you use a computer at home? oYes If so, for how many years? ______
  o No
   
D4. Do you use the Internet at home? o Yes If so, for how many years? ______
  o No

D5. During the past month, give a rough idea how many different teachers at your school with whom you have had conversations about computers or the Internet -- on at least several occasions?
 

NUMBER OF TEACHERS IN YOUR SCHOOL YOU HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH ABOUT COMPUTERS OR THE INTERNET (IN PAST MONTH): _________

Part E. Computer Availability at School


E1. Does the school provide you with your own personal computer?
o Yes If so, for how many years? ______
  o No
  o Don't know
   
E2. Does the school provide you with your own Internet account or email address?
o Yes If so, for how many years? ______
  o No
  o Don't know
   
E3. Do you have a laptop or hand-held computer you can use at school and at home?
o Yes
  o No
  o Sometimes
E4. How many computers are available in each of these locations for your students to use, and which type of computers are there, if any? Do not count your own school computer, unless students use it too.
 
NUMBER OF COMPUTERS PRESENT For Students
WHICH TYPE OF COMPUTER 
DO YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS USE MOST?
(Check predominant computer type in that room)
Mac
PC/Win/Dos
Both
a. Computers in my own classroom 
_________
o
o
o
b. Computer lab 
_________
o
o
o
c. School library or media center 
_________
o
o
o

Part F. Professional Activities
F1. How often do you have the following types of interactions with other teachers at school?
Never
Several per month
1-3 times a week
Almost daily
a. Discussions about how to teach a particular concept 
o
o
o
o
b. Discussions about ideas for student or group projects 
o
o
o
o
c. Discussions about computers, software, or the Internet 
o
o
o
o
d. Discussions exchanging different views about an issue within a common subject-area (e.g., science) 
o
o
o
o
e. Visits to another teacher's classroom to observe their teaching, or observations of MY classroom by another teacher
o
o
o
o
F2. In the past three years, which of these experiences have you had as a teacher? Circle all that apply. If none apply, check item e.
 
4 ALL that apply
a. Informally mentor another teacher for most of a year  o
b. Formally be assigned to mentor a teacher for most of a year o
c. Give a workshop or conference talk for at least 25 teachers o
d. Give workshops for teachers on at least 5 different occasions o
e. I had none of the above listed experiences o
F3. Since September, roughly how often have you had contact with teachers at 
OTHER schools through the following means?
 
Not this year
1-2 times
3-5 times
More often
a. A workshop, class, or conference with teachers from different schools 
1
2
3
4
b. A committee meeting with teachers from different schools 
1
2
3
4
c. Electronic mail with teachers from other places, or other online discussions
1
2
3
4

 

Part G. School Culture & Support
G1. The following statements describe teachers' work environments. Please indicate how much each statement agrees or disagrees with your own work situation. 
 

Generally disagree
 

Moderately
Agree
 

Strongly Agree
a. Other teachers at my school encourage me to try out new ideas 
o
o
o
b. The people who give me the best ideas for improving my teaching also tend to know a lot about using computers 
o
o
o
c. New ideas presented at in-services are discussed afterwards by teachers in this school 
o
o
o
d. It is common for us to share samples of student work 
o
o
o
e. Teachers play an important role in defining staff development activities
o
o
o
f. Major staff development activities are followed by support to help teachers implement new practices 
o
o
o

G2. Approximately how many of the teachers and administrators at your school do you think use computers or the Internet? Circle ONE response indicating your best estimate.
 
a. Teachers
A few
Less 
than half
About half
Most
Nearly All
Don't Know

b.Administrators
A few
Less than half
About half
Most
Nearly All
Don't Know

G3. To what extent are the following conditions sufficiently present to support technology use by you and your students? Please indicate your agreement or disagreement with each by circling a number under the column that best represents your opinion or circle "DK'" for don't know.
 
Sufficiently Present
Strongly
Disagree
<-------------------------------------------------?
Strongly
Agree
Don't
Know
a. There is a plan for ongoing technology development and use 
1
       2 
   3
4
5
6
DK
b. Technology use is a priority in existing school improvement plans 
1
2 
3
4
5
6
DK
c. Time is provided in your schedule to explore and plan new activities 
1
2
3
4
5
6
DK
d. Time or flexibility is available in the curriculum to carry out new activities 
1
2
3
4
5
6
DK
e. There is adequate administrative support and initiative to use technology 
1
2
3
4
5
6
DK
f. Help is available for integrating new technologies into the curriculum 
1
2
3
4
5
6
DK

G4. Here are a number of statements about barriers to the use of the Internet.  Please indicate your agreement or disagreement, or circle "DK" if you are not familiar with this issue, or it does not apply to you.
 
 
Strongly
Agree
<-------------------?
Strongly
Disagree
Don't
Know
a. There are not enough computers connected to the Internet
1
2
3
4
 DK
b. The network is frequently down or unavailable 
1
2
3
4
 DK
c. Students cannot access Web sites during the school day 
1
2
3
4
 DK
d. There is a lack of age-appropriate Web sites 
1
2
3
4
 DK
e. There is a lack of educationally relevant Web sites 
1
2
3
4
 DK
f. Not all students have home access 
1
2
3
4
 DK
g. Not all students have parental permission to use the Internet 
1
2
3
4
 DK
h. There is a lack of technical support/advice 
1
2
3
4
 DK
i. There is a lack of support from colleagues/peers 
1
2
3
4
 DK
j. There are not enough training opportunities 
1
2
3
4
 DK
k. School or District policies constrain Internet use 
1
2
3
4
 DK
l. There is inadequate communication about Internet resources and experiences throughout the school system 
1
2
3
4
 DK
m. Many students are not careful with this expensive equipment 
1
2
3
4
 DK
n. A focus on standardized testing makes it difficult to use the Internet in the ongoing curriculum
1
2
3
4
 DK

Part H. Your Background and Teaching Responsibilities


H1.  Please indicate your gender: oFemale
    oMale
H2. Circle the grades that you teach.

pre-K    K    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10    11    12 

H3. Which of the following are among the subjects you teach for a substantial amount of time each week (at least 2 hours per day) 4 ALL that apply
a. Elementary Self-contained (with the same students most of the day) o
b. Elementary Other o
c. Math o
d. Science o
e. Social studies o
f. English o
g. Foreign Language o
h. Vocational o
i. Business/Computers o
j. Library/Media o
k. Other (describe): o

H4. Please write additional comments in the space provided.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thank you so much for your patience, thoughtfulness, and time!
If you wish to be notified of the results of this survey, please contact:
 
 

Please return this survey to: