Current status and needs of educational computer network system for secondary industrial arts education in Taiwan, Republic of China.

摘要

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the current status of computer use and the existence of computer networks used in secondary schools' industrial arts education, (2) to identify the needs for an educational computer network system that can be used in secondary schools' industrial arts classroom, and (3) to develop an appropriate configuration of educational computer network for secondary schools' industrial arts education in Taiwan.;There were two populations for this study. One was the population of industrial arts teachers in secondary schools in Taiwan. The other population was administrators in secondary schools in Taiwan. Two hundred and twenty schools were randomly selected. One industrial arts teacher and one administrator were selected from these schools as the sample for this study. The questionnaire method of data collection was used. Two questionnaires were designed for industrial arts teachers and administrators respectively. Industrial arts teachers were asked questions related to (1) general information, (2) hardware, (3) software, (4) network hardware and software, (5) factors affecting the use of computers and computer network in teaching, (6) network service needs assessment, and (7) suitability of subjects. Administrators were asked questions related to general information and network service needs assessment.;The results indicate the differences between current and ideal numbers of computers and network equipment in secondary schools were significant. The current and ideal frequencies of using software applications were also significantly different. Based on the responses, a general configuration of educational computer network system was developed for secondary schools in Taiwan. The configuration included ideal numbers of computers and networks equipment, purchasing priorities of this equipment, services and in-service training should be provided, approaches to encourage using computer network systems, and suitability of subjects.