BELIEFS

AGREE…DISAGREE

Constructivist Phil

I PREFER starting with student's own ideas and topics, suggesting where they can find information or resources, without having to direct their questions and provide all the answers myself.

Constructivist Phil

STUDENTS should help establish criteria on which their work will be assessed, because they are responsible for monitoring their own learning

Constructivist Phil

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT for my students to share their work with others, because others can learn from what they do

Constructivist Phil

STUDENTS LEARN MORE when they feel free to move around the room during class; they do not need to stay quiet to learn

Traditional Phil

That's all nice, but STUDENTS LEARN MORE WHEN THE teacher —not the students— decides what activities are to be done

Traditional Phil

Students won't really 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.

Traditional Phil

IT'S BETTER 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.

Traditional Phil

INSTRUCTION should be built around problems with clear, correct answers, and around ideas that most students can grasp quickly.

Positive View

I have learned how to teach in new ways as a result of technology .

Positive View

I am excited to learn more about using computers more in my work as a teacher.

Not convinced

Computers may be useful for teaching and learning some things, but I haven’t seen how they could be helpful in the classes I teach.

Not convinced

Computers and networks in schools are, to a large extent, distractions that take time and energy from more important concerns.

Not convinced

Computers usually create more classroom problems than they solve.

Trad. Obj

One of my top priorities for student computer use would include… developing their ability to use computers themselves

Trad. Obj

...having them learn to work independently

Trad. Obj

… helping them master new knowledge and skills

Const. Obj.

...having them express themselves in writing

Const Obj.

...having them communicate electronically with other people

Const Obj.

…having them find out about ideas and information

Const Obj.

…having them learn how to analyze information

Const Obj.

…having them use computers to present work or ideas to an audience

Const Obj.

…having them learn how to work collaboratively using computers

Knowledge & Skills

I have awareness of what the Internet can do and how it works

Knowledge & Skills

I have knowledge of how to use the Internet in the curriculum.

Knowledge & Skills

I have ability to manage large amounts of electronic information.

Knowledge & Skills

I have classroom management skills related to using computers, e.g., managing multiple activities at the same time.

Knowledge & Skills

I know how to...prepare a slide show using presentation software

Knowledge & Skills

...include graphics in a word-processor document

Knowledge & Skills

…create a new database/spreadsheet

Knowledge & Skills

...use software to analyze or present data visually (e.g., graphing calculator)

Knowledge & Skills

…download and read a file saved in a specific format (e.g. AdobeAcrobat)

Knowledge & Skills

…produce a simple Web page (e.g., containing text and graphics)

Knowledge & Skills

…participate in "real-time" discussions, e.g., in a chat room or using two-way video and audio

ENVIRONMENT

AGREE…DISAGREE

Culture

Staff development activities include ongoing support to help teachers implement new practices

Culture

Other teachers at my school encourage me to try out new ideas

Culture

New ideas presented at in-services are discussed afterwards by teachers in this school

Culture

Teachers in my school discuss how teach different lessons or topics

Culture

Teachers in my school play an important role in defining staff development activities

Culture

It is common for teachers at my school to share examples of student work.

Culture

Teachers in my school visit each others' classrooms to observe what they are doing

Culture

There are a number of other teachers at my school with whom I regularly discuss computers or the Internet

Barriers

A focus on standardized test scores makes it difficult to use the Internet in the ongoing curriculum

Barriers

It is not practical for students to access Web sites during the school day

Barriers

There are not enough computers connected to the Internet for me to use with my classes

Barriers

The network is frequently down or unavailable

Barriers

There is a lack of age-appropriate or educationally relevant Web sites

Barriers

Not enough students have home access to warrant computer assignments

Barriers

Not enough students have parental permission to use the Internet

Barriers

There is a lack of support from colleagues/peers

Barriers

There are not enough training opportunities

Barriers

School or District policies constrain Internet use

Barriers

There is inadequate communication about Internet resources and experiences throughout the school system

Barriers

Many students are not careful with this expensive equipment

Support

Technology use is a priority in existing school improvement plans

Support

Sufficient help is available for me to integrate new technologies into the curriculum

Support

Time is provided in my work schedule to explore and plan new activities

Support

Time or flexibility is available in the curriculum to carry out new activities as part of my teaching

PRACTICE

HOW OFTEN….

Teacher Leader

I meet with teachers from different schools -- e.g., for workshops, meetings, classes, or conferences

Teacher Leader

I exchange electronic mail with other educators -- where we discussed work-related topics

Teacher Leader

I have informally mentored another teacher

Teacher Leader

I have been formally assigned to mentor another teacher

Teacher Leader

I have been involved in giving workshop or talk for other teachers

Teacher Leader

I am involved in showing others how to do things with computers, or helping them solve computer problems

Teacher Leader

I am involved in technology planning decisions (e.g., concerning hardware or software purchases, or discussing strategies for use)

Teacher Leader

I am serve on a technology-related planning committee at the school or district level

Practices

In the class where I feel most successful as a teacher...students work individually answering questions in the textbook or worksheets

Practices

…write an essay in which they are expected to explain their thinking or reasoning at some length

Practices

...work on projects that take a week or more

Practices

...work in small groups to come up with a joint solution or approach to a problem or task

Practices

...decide on their own procedures for solving a complex problem, and discuss the implications amongst themselves with your assistance

Practices

...work on problems for which there is no obvious method of solution

Practices

...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

Practices

...students suggest or help plan classroom activities or topics or come up with their own problems to solve

Practices

...work on tasks where there is no indisputably correct answer--where truth is complex and perhaps impossible to know

Use

I assign and oversee student computer use in the selected class

Use

I use a computer at home

Use

I use the Internet at home

Use

In at least one of my classes, a typical student is required to use computers for class assignments

Use

In the class where students use computers (and in which I feel most successful as a teacher, if more than one)…I assign my students to use computers for word processing

Use

….I give assignments where they use encyclopedias and other references on CD-ROM

Use

…They use games for practicing or remediating new skills and knowledge

Use

…they use simulations or other exploratory environments like Geometer's Sketchpad

Use

….they use software for making presentations (e.g., PowerPoint)

Use

…they use graphics-oriented programs (e.g., Print Shop, Photoshop)

Use

…they use spreadsheets or database programs (creating files, adding data)

Use

…they use Hyperstudio, HyperCard, or other multimedia authoring environment

Use

…they use a World Wide Web browser

Use

….they use electronic mail