Barriers to Effective Information Technology Integration in Jordanian Schools As Perceived by In- Service Teachers

معوقات التكامل الفعال لتكنولوجيا المعلومات في المدارس الأردنية كما يراها المعلمون أثناء الخدمة

The main goal of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions and opinions of a group of in-service teachers to derive barriers to effective information technology integration in Jordanian schools. Based on the grounded theory analysis of relevant data obtained from open-ended face-to-face interviews with sixty-one exemplary information technology using teachers in basic and secondary schools, six categories of barriers were identified: (1) serious shortage of computers and related information technology equipment in schools,(2) lack of efficiency of information technology teacher training programs, (3) Students' inadequate information technology basic skills, (4) insufficient time for teachers to prepare for information technology curricular integration,(5) lack of access to computers available in schools, and (6) scarcity of locally produced good quality instructional software. Discussions of such barriers were provided, and concluding reflections and recommendations were made. (