Are teachers getting the support they need to regularly use computers with students? Can they rely on computers and software to not only be available, but reliable and working when they need it? More than half of teachers asked say they don't need help with the technology that they or their students use. However, almost half do report that they need technical support at least once a month. More significantly, of those who do need technical support, more than two-thirds say it isn't available when they need it–at least not in most circumstances. For almost half of those who need technical help, it's at best available only "sometimes."

The story for instructional support for computer use–that is, help in integrating technology into teaching practice–is similar. Somewhat fewer teachers report needing this kind of help (only 38% say they need it monthly). However, of those who do need help in integrating technology with their lessons, even fewer (26%) say it is available on most occasions when they need it.

A future report from TLC:1998 will show which types of teachers most often say they need support for technology use and which teachers are getting the help they need.