Teachers and computers. Teachers' computer usage and the relationship between computers and the role of the teacher, as described in international research

Sammanfattning: This doctoral dissertation includes two main works and a comprehensive summary:Jedeskog, G. 1996: Lärare vid datorn. Sju högstadielärares undervisning med datorer 1984-1994. (Teachers at Computers. Seven upper compulsory school teachers´ teaching with computers in 1984-1994.) SkapandeVetande, Linköpings universitet. ISBN 91-7871-664-0. (in Swedish)Jedeskog, G. 2000: Ny i kl@ssen. Förhållandet mellan lärarroll och datoranvändning beskrivet i internationell forskning. (New in Cl@ss. The relationship between computers and the role of the teacher, as described ininternational research.) ISBN 91-646-1473-5. (in Swedish)The comprehensive summary is written in English: Teachers and Computers, Uppsala University, Department of Educatiom 48 pp. ISBN 91-506-1439-8.The first work was presented and defended in 1996. The second work, New in Cl@ss, is summarised here:For about fifteen years now, there have been computers in the schools meant for instructional use. The focus of this study is to describe and analyse how the relationship between computers and the role of the teacher has been treated in international scholarly literature, 1988-1998. The empirical study has two aims:To outline and analyse the contents of the texts with regard to what is happening to the role of the teacher, i.e.the work and deeds of the teacher, in a time when computers and IT are being introduced and used, or not used,in teaching.To outline and analyse, using the selected texts, how the research field of computers and the role of the teacheris now being moulded.The analysis of the texts is based on three theoretical platforms; House's innovation theory, the actors-networktheory and a micropolitical perspective. In these theories the importance of power, participation and conflict isemphasised.Results show that three variants of the role of the teacher in connection with computer usage stand out: theteacher as a link between the pupil and the computer, as a technician and delegating routine work to thecomputer.The role of the computer can be observed as a rival, as an 'alarm clock', as a mediator of contacts, as anobstacle to contacts and as a replacement for the school.An analysis of the research area shows that it is possible to distinguish four categories of texts; texts with noreference to earlier research and texts with references to research on processes of innovation and reform, onknowledge and learning and on relationship between school and society.