Elementary and Secondary Teachers' Perspectives about the Computer Use in Education.

The purpose of this study was to find out how teachers use computers in education, and how they perceive the use of computers in education in Turkey. Data was obtained through a 90-item questionnaire, from 202 teachers working in the schools of one mid-sized and three major Turkish cities. The following questions were addressed in the study: "What is the current availability of computers to teachers and their students?""How do teachers use computers in school and in the classroom?""What are their beliefs about computers in educational settings?" and "What are the teachers' concerns and needs in terms of computer use and curriculum?" It was found that a considerable number of teachers (41%) had never used a computer. Still, most of the teachers indicated that they had positive beliefs about the influence of computer use in instruction. In expressing obstacles to computer use in instruction, teachers reported that the lack of computers, unsuitable curriculum, and the lack of teachers' knowledge of computers are the most important problems in their schools. (Contains 11 references and 9 figures.) (AEF)