Survey found half with computers

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 36

Survey found half with computers

In August, 1981, the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association surveyed secondary and area schools throughout the country about their use of.computers. The results of this survey provide interesting background information for our special report on computers in schools. Replies were received from 225 schools, of which half (112) owned one or more computers. One-third of the remainder were investigating the purchase of equipment. The main reason given for not having a computer was lack, of funds, followed by a deliberate decision by the school to wait for provision of funds or equipment (presumably by the Government.)

Seventy per cent of the schools with equipment owned only one computer and few owned more than three computers. Schools indicated that six to 15 terminals or independent microcomputers were appropriate to meet their needs.

Taken together the TRS-80 and System 80 were the most common computer installed, with the Apple a close second. The majority oi com-

puters were purchased by fund-raising or gifts rather than school grants. The most commonly cited reasons for the school’s, decision to purchase a particular model were that the model was relatively inexpensive or gave the best value for money. , . The P.P.T.A. comments: “It is noteworthy that only 15 schools stated that they bought the computer because it met the school’s requirements.

“In the absence of any study of the computer needs of schools, Official advice, or funding, it is hardly surprising that schools are making their chOichs oh financial and practical rather than educational grounds.’’ There was a strong view that a new department should be established in the school to organise computer courses, rather than they continue to run-under the auspices of thd matherriaticS department as is usually the case.

Although school authorities on average allow teachers only one to two hours per week for computer-related responsibilities, the teachers are in fact undertaking between five and 25 hours additionally per week.

The schools were asked to

state what general assistance they ’ require to help them acquire a computer and establish related courses. By far the most frequent response was to request funds for purchase of enough computers, followed by .a request for inservice training, suitable software and time allowances for teachers.

“Most of the computer programs used in schools appear to have been devised by teachers in the school or borrowed from other users,” says the P.P.T.A. Seventy-one of the 112 schools with their own computers stated that , they had encountered problems acquiring software suitable for use in schools.

The P.P.T.A. says in conclusion that the introduction of Computers into schools is clearly placing additional demands on teachers and existing resources. As a result Of the survey the P.P.T.A. suggests a number of requirements, including Government supply or funding of the necessary hardware and software, time allowances for teachers, national and regional software development and supply centres, provision of equipment for use in school administration, and in-ser-vice training for teachers.