This study examined the barriers to integrating computer technology in middle school curriculum and formulated possible strategies to help educators overcome identified barriers for the benefit of students and the educational program. Three hundred and ninety-seven survey instruments were personally delivered to middle schools in the state of Ohio. The respondents were representative of teachers in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties. The data from this survey was sufficient to identify barriers and offer possible strategies.
The survey data identified five factors as possible barriers to the utilization of computer technology in the classroom. These barriers are (a) technology equipment that did not function properly or did not function at all, (b) the lack of training, (c) the lack of time to successfully integrate computer technology into the classroom, (d) the students' familiarity with computer technology and/or lack of computer technology in students' homes, and (e) the cost associated with computer technology classes at a university or college.
This study also identified possible strategies for future use that would encourage teachers to utilize computer technology in the classroom. These strategies are (a) provide in-services at the end of a workday, (b) have a technology support staff person available to middle school teachers on a daily basis, (c) staff meetings with computer technology experts to present new and innovative ideas to the middle school teachers, and (d) technology equipment in properly working order that would allow middle school teachers to utilize computer technology when they desired to do so.