A comparison of parents' and superintendents' evaluation of technology planning and instructional use of technology in the public schools of Pennsylvania

Todd Oppenheimer, author of "Computer Delusion," in the July 1997 edition of the Atlantic Monthly; he expressed his belief that parents have "a partial picture of computers in schools." This study indicates that is true.;In this study, many parents simply did not have a response when queried about various aspects of technology planning or instructional use of technology for instruction. This large segment of parents can sway public opinion positively or negatively in the support of a school's technology planning process or the implementation and integration of technology into the school curriculum.;This "partial picture" held by parents is evident from the major findings of this study. (1) Parents are aware that their local school district has a technology plan but when asked about specifics of the plan, or how the plan was developed, many of the parents did not know. (2) Parents were not active participants in the technology planning process, and superintendents did not regard their involvement as significant. (3) Parents and superintendents agree that technology has transformed student learning and that about half of the instructional time be given to the use of computers and related technologies. (4) Parents are not sure of the proper use and application of computers and technologies for instruction; superintendents believe computers should be used as teaching tools and as a problem-solving tool. (5) Superintendents believe that technology is being effectively used for instruction; parents are not sure, but both agree that technology has transformed the way students learn. (6) Parents and superintendents agree that the cost of technology is justifiable, but parents do not know the levels of spending in their respective schools.;The study surveyed parents of Pennsylvania middle school and junior high schools and respective superintendents to determine the level of understanding and perception of technology planning and technology use in their schools.;Parents support the technology initiatives of their local school district. Parents have only a partial picture of the school's planning and use of computers and related technologies for teaching and learning.