How will information and learning technology influence primary classrooms in the future?

Abstract

Master of Education

This thesis, titled 'How will information and learning technology influence primary classrooms in the future?' researches the development and the influence Information and Learning Technology will have upon primary classrooms in Victoria for the future.

This research was based upon qualitative research with semi structured interviews. The respondents for this research were selected from two environments. The two environments being the Task Environment and the Internal Environment. The task environment consists of Computer Suppliers, Business, Education Department and the parents of the child attending school. In the centre of this environment is the school. The four groups in this environment apply some external pressure upon the school to implement computer technology. The school can also apply the pressure to one or all of these groups.

The second environment being the Internal Environment is made up of the school, teachers for computer technology and teachers against computer technology. Similar to the Task Environment, the school is in the centre of this environment, with the three groups applying external pressure to the school. The school itself can exercise pressure to one or all of these groups.

This research indicates that primary schools will be affected in the future by the information and learning technologies; classrooms will be restructured to accommodate networks, teachers will undertake professional development courses in this area and that distance education will be enhanced by the telecommunications networks.