Teacher attitudes toward IT and IT-use : A case study of four teachers of English using IT in Swedish Compulsory School

Abstract: Abstract Through an analysis of four case-studies, this essay aims to provide some recent data related to what extent information technology (IT) and ICT-tools are used in schools. It takes a closer look at some of the problems teachers can encounter in connection with computers, lap-tops, tablets and so on. The focus of the essay has been placed mainly on answering questions related to two areas; • What kind of attitudes do teachers express toward IT and its use? • How does the reality involving IT and IT-use actually look like in schools? The methodology used to acquire the information was based on R. H. Bernard's format for semi-structured interviews. Further, the study also brings up issues that can be worthwhile to elaborate on, and, how to better predict the future of IT in schools. Two factors were brought into view that seems vital to deal with in order for computers and IT to function well in a school-setting: • A sufficient quantity of the technological tools that are implemented • Access to updated and professional training in the tools being used This study also confirmed that IT in school is still very much characterized by trials, errors and experimenting, much like University professor Säljö stated eleven years ago. (Säljö, 2002)