An investigation into the Integration of Information, Communications and Technology in Taiwanese Primary Schools: Effects on and Changes to
Administration and Management Fang--Kai Tang
Abstract
Following a brief introduction about background and the research aims, the rationale of methodology and research design was highlighted in order to examine the different ways
to approach the research. In approaching this research, case studies involving four Taiwanese public primary schools were chosen as the research strategy. Questionnaires,
interviews and document reviews were the research sources. During the data analysis stage, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were applied. In addition, since the
nature of this research involved people as the sources of data, ethical issues were carefully considered.
1. Introduction
As the development of hardware and software increases, more and more applications of ‘Information and Communications Technology’ ICT can be used for educational
administration and management BECTa 2004. Passey 2002 states that the use of ICT within schools will increase and impact on both teaching and non-teaching staff now and
in the future. The Taiwanese government has been aware since the 1980s of the importance of ICT; it
has also set up and begun to implement ICT-related policies in the educational area. Moreover, it is currently continuing to upgrade its policies and provision of ICT in order
to encourage teachers to use and benefit from the technology in their work. The government also intends to use ICT in education to reduce the differences between urban
and rural schools Ministry of Education, Republic of China 2004. However, from my pilot investigation, it seems that the ideals of the Taiwanese
educational authorities are hard to implement in practice and there is still room for improvement. Yet there is little literature related to information technology in educational
management in Taiwan. This study, therefore, will investigate teachers’ use of ICT for their administrative and managerial work, the factors which may affect this use of ICT
and the related changes to and effects on Taiwanese primary schools. I hope the research may provide some information to the Taiwanese educational
authorities to shed light on the actual situation and challenges in order to encourage further improvement. In addition, this research will also link and compare the studies in
this field in Taiwan with those in other countries. Thus, it may allow people in other
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countries to better understand the current situation and model in Taiwan, in terms of using ICT in educational management and administration.
2. Aim of the research
The aim of the research is to investigate the changes to Taiwanese primary schools as a result of integrating ICT into their administration and management. The research will
examine how teachers use ICT as part of their daily administration and decision-making. It will also investigate the kinds of support and resources which teachers need and will
seek to identify the factors which may affect their use of ICT.
3. Methodology and research design
