Beliefs vs Usage: Teachers and ICTs

In a richly layered and researched paper,Peg Ertmer, points out some factors which are central to the successful and wide spread implementation of Technology as a vital tool.It analyzes the central concept of the teachers attitude towards teaching per se and beliefs in general.It finds that teachers essentially hold educational/pedagogical beliefs towards Teaching through technology as barriers.Thus a big gap in the full scale implementation and utilization of Technology.Research shows that in spite of wide availability of funds, resources and agreement of authority usage is not optimum.Moreover the teachers were trained to use the facilities and by 2003 had attained minimal technical comfortability.However the gap in the dissemination of ICTs in actual classes led a new research on the attitudes of the teachers.

It was found out the the teachers held some essential beliefs,for example they used the technology to do teacher centered task which were easy,given the fact that the ICTs hold vast potential.Thus the high-level uses suffered and in turn did the students.This usage of technology to limit the child-centered usage was probed further.Thus the comment founded on research that,"Teachers use technology in ways that are consistent with their personal beliefs about curriculum".Teachers were found to reflect their beliefs into how they operated in classes.It was found that it took time,about 6 years, for the teachers to progress from low -end/ teacher centered usage to high-end/constructive usage.Thus,continued usage was the key for correct implementation of the resources.Though,being an assumption,common sense shows us that continued usage leads to habit formation.In view of such a scenario it seems teachers hold prejudices and hold personal beliefs at the forefront rather than follow the set reforms.Is is so,the paper suggests,because teachers are autonomous individuals and any implementation lies in the domain of the teacher.The opinions of teachers are final in relation of the integration of technology and a resolution of core values.

The paper lists five beliefs held by teachers,
a)Beliefs about oneself and shared beliefs
b)privately held beliefs
c)beliefs on which authority to trust
d)beliefs derived from authority and subject to change by authority
e)unimportant beliefs bor matters of personal likes

These beliefs inform the appropriation of new methods such as full scale integration of computers in classroom.However,it is possible to change knowledge based beliefs than personal beliefs.One suggestion proposed is that technology novices must be given good opportunity to implement,practice and integrate new information systems into old belief systems.This creates an integration of the practice and belief,where practice precedes belief.If by practice teachers engage themselves in the domain of ICTs they would find that it is a useful methodology,then this would result in a change in the past belief system that ICTs are nominal.This fact is also supported by research which reflects that peer-effect is more of a motivator in understanding and honing the efficiency of ICTs than just ideologue.The quote;"....confidence and competence must be built before changes to beliefs can be expected.."reflects the simple fact that through diligent practice the teachers will find the efficacy of the ICTs and once this is done the old.traditional beliefs would collapse getting the teacher to embrace and use technology to the fullest maximum it can offer in the Learning process.