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

Abstract

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.