Teacher Complacency and Technology Interpretations

Teacher Complacency and Technology

Interpretations of Results of Survey

Survey 1 is more of demographic information regarding the respondents. Facts such as they length of service rendered in teaching - in and outside their present school - the average annual income and the level of technology effectiveness is being assessed. This is to address the assumption that as the teacher grows older, the more ineffective he/she becomes in using and teaching technology, and vice versa. More so, this is in response to the assumption that the amount of income received by the teacher compensates to the level of knowledge he/she has about technology use.

Years of Teaching

Based on the responses given by the teacher-respondents, they have been teaching for 6-32 years. This shows that they are not new to the teaching world, hence they are already very familiar with the kind of teaching they serve, the kind of educational institution they are with and the effectiveness of their teaching skills and methods are.

More so, in this length of service in the teaching career, it can be easily inferred that these teacher respondents have already worked with other teaching professionals and educational policy makers. They are already aware of the kind of changes that is being applied to education (teachers, educational methods and facilities and even students included) from time to time. At the same time, these teachers who been in this career for quite a long time, know already the very purpose of their position and what they should do to enhance their own level of knowledge.

Years of Teaching at Present School

The teacher-respondents revealed that they have been teaching at their present school on the range of 6-27 years. Evidently, not all teachers have served this school since the very beginning of their teaching career. Some of them may consider this school as their second institution of teaching and some may even be their third or fourth. Unfortunately, this paper does not delve upon the reasons why these teachers left their former school or why they chose this school.

What is very clear here is the fact that most of the teachers have already stayed in their present school for quite some time already. Because of this, it can be easily inferred that the teacher-respondents find this school suitable for their qualification as a teacher. More so, the present school may have been effective enough in serving the needs of the teachers and the students that is why these teachers are staying and are continuously teaching. They teachers may also be considering this school as an institution where the teachers can continuously hone their knowledge and skills in teaching while they are serving and teaching the students as well.

Level of Technology Effectiveness

When it comes to the level of effectiveness on the use of technology, with a rating of 1-10, 10 as the highest, this research paper evaluates the number of teacher respondents who gave a passing mark. This was computed in a way of making 5 as the passing mark or the 50% of the highest and lowest possible rating.

Based on the responses, 61% of the teacher respondents view that the level of technology effectiveness in the school is passing. The rates given as passing mark ranges from 5 as the lowest passing mark and 7.5 as the highest passing mark. Meanwhile, the remaining 39% of the teacher respondents view that the use of technology in the school is not effective enough. The failing marks ranges from 2-4 ratings.

With the varied ratings given by the teachers, the researcher could not find any indirect or direct relationship between the lengths of years spent in teaching at the present school vs. The level of technology effectiveness. There are teachers who have spent the lesser number of years in teaching in their present school and have given a fairly high mark on the use of technology. However, there are also teacher-respondents who disclosed that they have been spent quite long years of their teaching career in the present school but still viewed that the level of effectiveness of technology use is not passing enough. In the same manner, there are teachers who have stayed in the school for quite a long time who gave passing marks to the level of technology effectiveness.

These varied responses could not be used as sole basis to assume that as the number of years in teaching goes higher, the level of technology effectiveness becomes lower and vice versa.

Annual Salary

From the teachers' responses, it is disclosed that the lowest salary the teachers are getting is 20,000 per annum while the highest is 80,000 per annum. There is a direct relationship between the amount of income the teachers are getting vs. The number of years they have been serving in the school or in the teaching career. This is because as the teacher's length of service in the school becomes higher, the higher also is their annual salary. The same goes with the length of teaching career. The more years the teacher has been into teaching, regardless of the school, the more amount of income he/she is receiving annually.

The responses also revealed that the administrators of the present school are also considering the number of years of teaching experience that the teacher has have, even outside the present school, as a basis for salary schemes. Hence, the total number of years spent in teaching, whether in or out of the present school, gives a lot o weight in assessing the amount of compensation that the teacher is receiving per annum.

However, there is no direct relationship between the salary or compensation vs. The level of technology effectiveness. Here are a number of teachers who have been receiving considerably high compensation but still find the use of technology in the present school fairly low. In the same manner, there are some teachers who have been receiving good income, not the highest but not the lowest, and still give the level of technology effectiveness with a passing mark.

Overall Analysis

With the variation of responses given by the teachers, there could be no solid conclusion that can be made in terms of the relationship between the length of teaching career, the length of service rendered at the present school and the amount of annual compensation to the level of technology effectiveness. The responses are not conclusive enough because there are no percentages that could represent the majority o the respondent population. However, what is good with the responses is the fact that regardless of the number of years spent in teaching, or the amount of salary being received, the teachers' responses on technology use still varies. This is fairly good because this disproves the idea that newer teachers are not adept to technology use and vice versa. In the same manner, the results also invalidates the idea that the older the teacher gets, the more he/she became ineffective in using and teaching technology related instructional equipments or materials.

Indeed, there is no direct relationship between the length of service rendered in teaching in or outside the present school, the level of income and the level of technology effectiveness. Then, it is safe to assume that level of effectiveness in using and teaching technology is dependent on many variables like the background and familiarization of the teacher him/herself in technology per se. There are teachers who have been in the school for a minimum number of years only, but they are very adept to using technology. The same goes with the longest-staying teachers, who may have been using computers and technology for the longest time that they have been teaching hence they are very skilled and knowledgeable in using and teaching technology.

Interpretations of Results of Survey 2

Results of survey 2 aims to show the level of understanding of the teachers regarding the need to have and teach technology, as well as their level of complacency in the presence of technology inside the Vista High School.

The total number of years rendered in teaching in and outside Vista High School, the rating on the presence of technology inside the classrooms, the level of skills being imparted to the students in terms of technology use, and the percentage complacency that the teachers get to and from the students when taught about technology used are summarized and evaluated.

Total Years of Teaching

Based on the responses given by the teacher-respondents, they have been in the teaching world from 5 years (as the lowest) to 29 years (as the highest). Like what has been interpreted on the results for survey number 1, the responses of the teachers on survey 2 shows that they are not new to teaching as a job, hence they are already very familiar with the kind of teaching they serve, the kind of educational institution they are with and the effectiveness of their teaching skills and methods are.

Years of Teaching at Vista High School

The teacher-respondents disclosed that they have been teaching at Vista High School on the range of 5 years to 15 years. Evidently, the teachers who have been subjected to the survey have already stayed considerably long enough at Vista High school. This just shows that these teachers find this school appropriate for their credentials as a teacher. It is also very clear that not all teachers have served this school since the very beginning of their teaching career. Some of them may consider this school as their second institution of teaching and some may even be their third or fourth.

Presence of Technology at Vista High School

The teacher-respondents are one in saying that they have seen good number of technologies present at school. Having seen much number of technologies in the school means that the teachers are aware of the updated technologies a school institution must have. This also shows that the teachers are already familiar with the different technologies and that they are aware of the advantages and/or benefits the technologies provide to the school, to the students and to the teachers themselves.

Unfortunately, this paper was not able to delve deeper as to what kind of technologies do these teachers have been or used inside the school. Such information could have been useful in assessing the level of knowledge of the teachers in the use of various technologies.

Use of Technology in the Classrooms

When asked if the teachers have used more technology in their classrooms than in the past, majority of the teachers gave positive responses. This shows that majority of the teachers and the students have been using various technologies inside the classroom. However, there are also a few numbers of teachers-respondents who stated that they have no or have not been using a lot of technology inside the classroom.

There can be two valid assumptions as the different response given by the teachers. First, it can be assumed that there are teachers who have been teaching several subjects that are not technology related such as English or history subjects. Teachers who may have been teaching such subjects may not need any technology present inside the classroom, hence the negative response. Secondly, it is also safe to assume that the use of technology is just limited to higher level of students like the second to fourth year students. If this is the situation, first year teachers may not be requiring any technology inside the classroom to give more focus on the theoretical aspects of educational curriculum. What is good is the fact that only a few number of teachers responded that they have not been using technology inside the classroom, hence more teachers and equally more number of students have already been using technology inside the classroom.

Vista High School's Effective Use of Technology

Majority of the teachers responded negatively regarding the effective use of technology at Vista High School. One the noted reasons for such negative responses are the fact that although there technologies present inside most of the classrooms, the said technologies are not enough for the number of students who are supposed to be using them. This then implies that there is lacking amount of technology that will correspond to the teaching requirements. In the same manner, the amount of technology present in the classrooms is not enough to accommodate the students much more to teach them regarding technology use.

Another noted reason for the negative response lies on the fact that only the laboratory, or the computer classroom, contains ample number of computers, which is one of the most updated technologies that a school institution must have. This is worsen with the fact that computer class is considered as an elective only, hence the students have the option to take the subject or not and that they are not evaluated in such subject. This then limits the level of knowledge and skills that can be imparted to the students in terms of technology use.

Third reason why teachers find that Vista High School as not effective in facilitating the use of technology is the lack of updated software, programs and Internet connection for the computers. This implies that even if there are classrooms with some computers, not all of the computers have Internet connections or is updated with the current programs and software that can be used to teach the students. In today's world, computers need to be updated from time to time because the software and programs are always upgraded to suit the ever changing needs of the users. Likewise, the use of Internet has also been found to b very effective in providing valuable information for the teachers and the students. Without any initiative to upgrade the computer systems and access to Internet, teachers will really find it ineffective to use and teach such technology to the students.

The last reason, and certainly not the least, provided by the teachers about why they find the technology use in Vista High School ineffective is the inability of some of the teachers to teach and use such technology. The teachers who gave such reason also revealed that there is a need for the teachers to attend some proper training first before they could use and much more teach technology-related subjects. This then implies that not all teachers are familiar or adept in using computer and that they have not been given and developmental of training sessions for their professional development.

However, by probing deeper o the responses given by the teachers, there seem to be a relationship between the lengths of teaching years rendered to the amount of knowledge on the use of technology. The teachers who disclosed that further training on technology use are the teachers who have spent the longest years in teaching, regardless of the school. This then implies that the oldest teachers in Vista High school seem o be more unskilled in technology use, which can be attributed to the fact that they do not have any training in computer use when they were still studying (may be because computer use have not been established on those years yet).

Things the Vista High School Must do to Improve Technology Use

All the teachers agreed that more computers should be installed in each and every classroom, making sure that each computer is in good working condition, has upgraded tools and software and has Internet connections. This just shows that all teachers at Vista High School see the need for the institution to provide better learning opportunity for the students, by providing them the latest available technology. This also reinforces the fact that the amount of technology present at Vista High school is not enough to accommodate the students' need for updated learning.

However, if this is to be done, Vista High School administrators should ensure first that the teachers are properly trained about he use and methods of teaching of technology. Based on the last question, there are some teachers who are not adept into using computers, and if computers are to be installed in every classroom, all teachers then must know how to utilize such technology - from opening and using it, to operating every program and software installed.

Teachers' Willingness to Learn Using the New Technology

All teacher-respondents replied affirmatively when asked if they are willing to learn and be trained again regarding the use of technology. This, they state, is to ensure that the students will benefit and will learn from them. With the response provided by the teachers, it is very evident that all teachers - the older and more experienced one as well as the younger generation of teachers - would like to enhance their skills and knowledge, particularly in the use of technology. Such training will not only help the teachers in maximizing the use of technology inside the classroom, but also in imparting to the students the various usage of technology.

Some teachers also disclosed that they would want to be trained to enhance the standards of the educational institution, particularly the Vista high School. This is because such training will assure the parents and students (and event he aspiring ones) that the teachers in the school are still at par with the continuously modernizing world of technology.

Effects of Funding to the Amount of Technology

Again, the teacher-respondents are one in saying that the lack of enough funding tremendously affects the amount of technology present in the school or in every school classrooms. The explanations of the teachers revolved around two major reasons.

First lies on the fact that to provide the needed computers and other technology inside the school premises needs good sum of money. More so, installing updates software and programs plus maintaining the Internet connection will also cost a lot of money. One complete computer system alone (with a printer, updated central processing unit's system, and a monitor) already costs thousands of dollars. If there will be not enough government and private agency's financial assistance, it will really be impossible for any educational institution like the Vista High School to provide the needed updated technology.

In the same manner, teaching and/or sending the teachers for proper training or seminars will also cost a good sum of money. These should be series of seminars, trainings or workshops that surely develop the teachers' skills but will also require them to pay a good amount, which is of course, should be paid by the school. again, if there will be no proper funding from the government and even private institutions, sending the teachers to such trainings will be hard to facilitate.

Students' Technology Learning at Vista High School

Majority of the teachers (around 93%) stated that even though there are lacking amount of technology inside the school, the students are still learning the use of technology inside the school. The reason is because they have a full confidence with the computer teacher. Most teachers revealed that the computer teacher is very adept and organized in teaching the students and that they are assured that the students are still getting the right information regarding technology use.

However, the remaining 7% of the teacher-respondents believed otherwise. This is because they find the capability of Vista High School in teaching technology use behind what other high school institutions can do to their students. This, they attributed to the lack of amount of technology inside the school and to the fact that although the computer teacher is very good, the computer class is just an elective class.

What is saddening in this fact is that in today's modern age and time, high school students must already be prepared to face the college life and the future career. To do that, they must be oriented and skilled in the most updated technology. Technology is being use at most times in college and if they will be working. Hence, because of the information provided by the teachers, it can be inferred that the students at Vista High School are not at a competitive advantage as compared to other high schools, especially when the use of technology is concerned.

Complacency in the Classroom Regarding Technology Use

Not all teachers who are subjected to this survey responded to the question regarding complacency inside the classroom. But those who did offered varied responses.

There are some teachers who responded that they feel complacent in the use of technology inside the classroom, but only to the maximum of 40% of the time. They disclosed that they feel complacent especially if their time allotment for each of the topic is being followed and that the students are able to maximize the full potential of technology. This then show that the teachers are satisfied but only to a very little time of the classroom schedules. It should be noted that 40% is just almost below the average of 50%, hence teachers are not time not complacent about their teaching or about the technology use inside the classrooms.

The other response given by the teachers regarding complacency on technology use inside the classroom is a big no. This response can be attributed to three possible reasons:

Unavailability or lack of the amount of technology inside the classroom

How can one teacher feel satisfied teaching or offering the students with the knowledge on technology use if the students cannot have a hands-on experience on using it? This implies that the teachers know the value of making the students really feel and see how to use the technology and hot to apply it in the learning undertaking. However such information is only good in theories, but if direct applications cannot be assessed or evaluated without the presence of such technology inside all classrooms.

Availability of technology but teacher's inability to teach and use such technology

To maximize the use of available technology, the teacher must know all the ways and means of operating it and on how to use every systems or programs inside it. But this cannot be possible if the teachers are not adept or do not have the proper skills and knowledge. Teachers will really feel dissatisfied regarding the use of technology inside the classroom if they, themselves, have not maximized using it.

Availability of technology, teachers ability to teach but lack of updated software, program or Internet access

The software and programs inside the computer must be updated from time to time. This is to be at par with how technology moves outside the school premises. In the real world, computers and other technology are being enhanced frequently. Teachers will not feel complacent in teaching and using technology if they know that such technology inside the classroom is not updated and at the same level as what other schools or other institutions have outside the school. The students and teachers will of course find it useless if they know that the equipments is way behind what is already used outside.

Technology-related Improvements for Vista high School

Teachers provide only two needed improvements necessary for Vista High School, particularly when technology is concerned. First is the should-be availability of more and updated computers inside each and every classroom. Secondly is the availability of trainings and seminars for the teachers so that they can teach the use of technology to the students properly.

These responses are to be expected because even from the very beginning of the survey questions, the teachers are already revealing that there is really lacking of technology in this school and that some of the teachers are not skillful enough in teaching any subject related to technology. What is good in this information is the fact that the teachers are very much willing to admit that although they lack knowledge and expertise in teaching the use of technology, they very much welcome the idea to be trained thus learns how to use and eventually teach the use of technology.

General Analysis of Survey 2

Overall, there is a very high demand from the teachers to provide the necessary technology inside every classrooms of Vista High School. More so, the teachers fell an extreme need to update the software, programs and access to the Internet to each of the computers so as the effectively teach the students with proper use and handling of technology. Furthermore, the teachers reveal the need to be trained so as to enhance their skills and knowledge to technology that will eventually be shared to the students.

With such need, teachers disclose that they are not complacent enough with the way technology goes inside the Vista High School. But just the same, teachers are not ashamed to admit it, hence there are big rooms for improvement and development in the said school.

Interpretations of the Combined Results

The rating given on the level of effectiveness on the use of technology on the school coupled with the complacency of teachers in technology use inside the classroom is very much interconnected. It must be noted that there are 39% who gave failing marks on the level of technology use and 61% passing with 7.5 as the highest rating. Likewise, it should be noted that teachers reveled that most of them are just complacent in just 40% of their allotted time on technology use.

Thus, teachers are reasonably unsatisfied with technology use hence they gave failing marks on the level of effectiveness. Those who gave passing marks must be noted that they do not gave excellent or high marks, the highest is only 7.5 rating, with most of the grades fall on 5 rating. Hence, this just show that the level of effectiveness on the use of technology is not that high because the teachers are aware that there are more o improve in the school, especially if technology is concerned.