The impact of communication technology on time usage and redundancy of information on elementary school principals

Purpose. This study examined the effect of cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs on time usage and redundancy of information of elementary school principals. This study also determined to what degree a correlation exists between time management and time usage of cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs by elementary school principals.; Methodology. The research methodology used was descriptive, ex post facto, and correlational. The data collection was done through scheduled observation of principals working in the field using a time usage instrument and a written response to an informational questionnaire. The population included elementary principals from the San Gabriel Valley, located in Southern California.; Findings. This study found that elementary principals spent 24 percent of their time using a cell phone, computer, e-mail, or PDA. There is a strong negative correlation between time management and time usage of cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs. Principals who reported higher time management skills spent less time using technology compared to principals who reported lower time management skills and spent more time using cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs. Cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs did not create a significant amount of redundancy of work. Finally, gender and age had no impact on a principal's time usage of the four devices.; Conclusions. This study concluded that cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs have an impact on a principal's time. Principals who reported higher time management skills spent less time using these devices. Principals who spent more time using cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs rated themselves lower in the area of time management. This suggests that these devices are not effective time management tools for principals.; Recommendations. It is recommended that this study be replicated with different samples. Consideration should be given to drawing samples from different geographic regions. Future researchers may also consider the size of the samples. Also, the study found a negative relationship between time management skills and cell phones, computers, e-mail, and PDAs. In light of this information, school districts may want to examine the role of staff development in the area of technology as a time management tool.