Faculty of Education - Theses

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Middle-managers and machines: the impact of information and communication technology on teachers in positions of leadership

Broadbent, David R. ( 2001)

The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) continues to increase in schools. While much of the focus has been on its use in the classroom (teaching and learning), the use of ICT for vigil administrative and managerial functions within schools has received little attention. Teachers in Positions of Leadership (POLs) Year-Level Coordinators (YLCs) and Heads of Curriculum Departments (HODs) - have been using ICT for many years but rarely is this use studied. This research has started to address that anomaly. Over a period of six months, the uses of ICT by 24 POLs at a Melbourne Catholic secondary school were studied. The focus was on their ICT use in their POL duties, and their attitudes towards and perceptions of ICT. The study involved both an extensive questionnaire, and indepth interviews of six POLs to ensure detailed understanding of their use of ICT. While there were many different uses of ICT identified, usage was led by a small group of enthusiastic teachers. Others made more limited use. Major factors affecting the variety of use were different levels of access to software and hardware (particularly access to email and the Internet), different levels of Professional Development, and POLs' personal perceptions of the efficiency and effectiveness of using ICT in their work.