Respondents were asked to indicate which (if any) of three computer hardware configurations are available in their congregations for use by Christian educators or church school teachers: a computer without CD-ROM, a computer with CD-ROM, or a computer with CD-interactive. The majority, 64%, reported that "none of the above" are available. Computers without CD-ROM are available to Christian educators in 29% of congregations, but only 5% have computers with CD-ROM and only 1% have a CD-interactive model available for use by the Christian education staff. Overall, one-third of congregations (33%) reported that they have at least one of these three types of computer systems available for use by their Christian educators.
Not surprisingly, larger-membership congregations were more likely to have such equipment. More than half of large and medium-sized congregations (over 600 members and 251 to 600 members, respectively) have some type of computer available for their Christian educators to use (large, 64%; medium, 52%). In contrast, computers are available in only 24% of small congregations (less than 250 members).
Since few Christian educators have access to computers in their congregations, it is not surprising that almost all respondents (96%) indicated that these educators are not using any of this equipment in their classrooms. Of congregations that reported computers (of any type) are available for use by Christian educators, only 10% reported that this equipment is used in their classrooms. Thus, it appears that available computers are being used for other purposes, including perhaps planning and lesson preparation, rather than for in-class instruction.
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