Abstract
This study aims to reveal the opinions of and reality for teachers in remote areas/islands concerning the use of computers and teleconference through comparison with teachers in urban areas. Specifically, comparisons between teachers in remote areas/islands and teachers in urban areas were made with regard to: 1) the reality of the use of computers in and out of class, and 2) the reality of and the needs for the use of teleconferencing. Our results showed that there was no difference between the teacher groups' use of computers out of class. In class, however, teachers in remote areas/islands were found to utilize computers more frequently than the other group for presenting materials and searching information, as well as in situations where their students used computers as tools of expression. In terms of the use of teleconferencing, there was no difference found between the two groups, although teachers in remote areas/islands were found to be more positive about the use of teleconferencing than the urban group. Teachers in remote areas/islands were found to have especially greater needs for teleconferencing concerning comprehensive study, collaborative study with separately located schools, staff training, and meeting with other schools' teachers.
