"Digital tools will never take the place of a good teacher": understanding teachers' resistance to using technology through Glasser's Choice Theory. (1st July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, Anat; Fuhrman, Orly; Turner, Kristina
• Is Part Of: International journal of learning technology. Volume 14:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2019-07-01
• Subjects: teachers resistance to technology -- Choice Theory -- adaptive technology -- second language reading comprehension -- basic needs; Learning -- Periodicals; Instructional systems -- Periodicals; 371.3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-8386

Abstract

The development of adaptive technologies presents new challenges regarding teachers' resistance to the use of technology and questions their role and autonomy. This paper presents findings from a qualitative case study with a group of Australian teachers who trialled a new reading comprehension tool developed by the Centre for Educational Technology, Israel. Drawing on notions from Glasser's Choice Theory, findings emerged to be aligned with five basic needs: 1) a need for survival in a changing workplace; 2) a need to be free from disturbances and free to make one's own choices; 3) needing to feel a sense of professional belonging; 4) a need for power over what students do and over how learning is experienced; 5) and, the need for enjoying work and fun in learning. The paper puts forward a call to further explore teacher-training through a Choice Theory framework.