Teacher Attitudes Regarding Barriers to Meaningfully Implementing iPads in a Primary School Setting

• Published in: Computers in the schools Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 152 - 170
• Main Authors: Walsh, Valerie, Farren, Margaret
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Routledge 01.01.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Applications programs; Barriers; Case Studies; Diaries; Educational Needs; Educational Technology; Elementary School Teachers; Elementary Schools; Foreign Countries; Handheld Devices; Internet; Interviews; Portable computers; Program Effectiveness; Semi Structured Interviews; Teacher Attitudes; Teachers; Technology Uses in Education; Telecommunications; Training; Urban Schools; Ireland
• ISSN: 0738-0569; 1528-7033
• DOI: 10.1080/07380569.2018.1462674

The purpose of this study was to examine the barriers to implementing iPads in a primary school setting. The participants in this study included four subject specialist teachers and an ICT coordinator. To gather their views on the use of iPads as instructional tools in the classroom, semi-structured interviews were conducted and teachers' diaries were analyzed. The themes that emerged from the analysis of the teachers' diaries included the positive impact of iPad use in education, the potential disadvantages of iPad use in education, and technical issues. An issue that strongly emerged from the diaries was the need for more training on the features of an iPad and apps along with how to use them appropriately in lessons. It was also revealed that what was initially seen as major barriers to iPad use in lessons could be easily resolved with the presence of the correct knowledge and support.