Teachers perceptions of the availability of computer hardware

Mathematics teachers in 40 secondary schools in the Greater Manchester region were sent questionnaires asking them, amongst other things, to comment on the availability of various forms of computer hardware for use in their teaching of mathematics. Seventy‐five replies were received and analysed. In respect of a single computer in a classroom –a provision which teachers seem to see as being of little benefit–most believe they can achieve bookable access although spontaneous availability is unlikely for all but a minority. For computer suites–the more favoured provision–even booking in advance guarantees access for less than half of all teachers with spontaneous access granted to less than one teacher in ten. Some implications of these findings and possible ways forward are discussed.