scholarly journals Integration of Technology among Saudi EFL Teachers

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Amal Almalki

In the field of education, technology is currently considered a new trend. This study aims to examine the factors that affect the integration of new technologies in EFL classrooms. Factors considered include teacher’s age, teacher’s level of technological proficiency, and teacher’s perception of technology. To achieve this, the study involved a questionnaire consisting of 21 items and a total of 38 Saudi EFL teachers participated in it. The results indicate that there is no significant relationship between teacher age and technology integration. However, both teachers’ level of proficiency in technology and teacher’s perception of technology were significantly related to technology integration in Saudi EFL classrooms. It is recommended to provide teachers with professional development and support in technology integration and to supply classrooms with resources such as computers and smart boards. 

Author(s):  
Badia Hakim

It is a widespread and strongly supported assumption in the educational arena that the integration of technology into language classrooms can lead to improved teaching and learning with a positive impact on language learners’ proficiency level. The current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic has provided language teachers with great many potential opportunities to implement online applications and instruments to develop learners’ language proficiency. In contrast to the previous norms of EFL classrooms, where technology integration used to be an important albeit a subsidiary component, the current COVID-19 state has put online teaching on the foreground as it is purely a techno-led teaching scenario. However, with the integration of technology-based learning strategies, challenges faced by EFL teachers have also increased. The current study aims to study technology-integrated classrooms and address the challenges before EFL teachers in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. To have a clear instrument development of data and research findings, the Exploratory Sequential Mixed Method Design was selected by the researcher after using a blend of questionnaires and online interview techniques. For data collection, 50 language instructors at the English Language Institute (King Abdulaziz University) participated in the research. Due to the pandemic control lockdown state, these teachers were teaching an online Module from March-May 2020. The research design was focused on obtaining data based on two aspects: 1. Investigating the positive impact of technology integration in online EFL classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. 2. Addressing the challenges faced by the teachers in techno-led online classes during the COVID-19 era. The research findings indicated that despite having access to various techno-led applications and techniques including the blackboard ultra, podcasting, vodcasting etc., still there were many challenges faced by Saudi language instructors. The most common challenges included, but were not limited to, the inability to have access to the modern equipment, interrupted or weak internet connection, learners’ low motivation level and attention deficit. Despite these issues, however, many language instructors reported a positive inclination towards the use of technology in EFL online classes. The findings of the study shed light on the productive use of techno-led online EFL classrooms, focusing on strategic skill-based learning taking place and establishing a strong virtual link between the instructors and learners. Furthermore, the results of this study would help policymakers, trainers, EFL teachers and professional development experts with the current aspects of COVID-19 and the pending issues determining technology integration in EFL online classrooms, thus enabling them to make better-informed decisions.


Author(s):  
Özden Şahin İzmirli ◽  
Gökhan Çalışkan

In this chapter, personal professional development trainings, which need to include ubiquitous learning environments, are discussed. First of all, professional development is explained. Then, the authors discussed factors affecting the efficiency of professional development activities and how they can incorporate new technologies into professional development activities to meet the needs of adult learners. After that, based on the definition of ubiquitous learning, ways of using technology in terms of meeting adult needs with professional development are examined. Finally, the process that was evaluated within the framework of technology integration is presented to readers.


Author(s):  
Aysegul Liman Kaban ◽  
Isil Boy Ergul

This research study intends to explore teachers' use of tablets to in six EFL classrooms. The case study covers one private primary school in Istanbul, Turkey. Through the analysis of semi-structured interviews, the aim is to find out the factors affecting EFL teachers use of tablets, their attitudes towards using these devices, and the advantages and disadvantages they see in using tablets in their teaching. The study focuses on teachers' perspective as they are by and large ignored when it comes to the introduction of new technologies in educational institutions.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Ladaci Naima

In the realm of language education, technology has reshaped the state of the teaching/learning framework in different ways and there is no surprise how a number of classes around the world have now turned from chalk and board classes to technology-based ones. However, whether teachers adopt or reject technology in their teaching depends primarily on the way they perceive it. Consequently, the current paper intends to capture the various perceptions of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers from the department of English at Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf (Algeria) towards the use and the integration of technology in their teaching practices. It also aspires to answer the question: to what extent is technology used in their teaching? In order to collect data for this study; a questionnaire was administered to ten teachers from the above-cited department. Although the findings revealed that all the participants have a positive attitude towards technology; they all face different barriers that impede them from integrating it.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Mohammadifar ◽  
Mona Tabatabaee-Yazdi

Creativity has played a leading role in education that not only attracts many learners but also teachers. According to Ismail, Desa, and Balakrishnan (2018) creativity is one of the main skills that is extremely noticeable in teaching. Moreover, because of the alteration of generation and expansion of knowledge and technology, the instruction requires creative teachers that can use up-to-date and modern techniques. Within this framework, the researcher tried to investigate any significant relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and their creativity. To comply with the objective, a total of 210 Iranian EFL teachers took part in this study. For gathering the data two questionnaires were administered through Google Form that shared via social media like Telegram and WhatsApp. The results of correlation analyses revealed that there was a positive significant relationship between Iranian EFL teachers’ CPD and their creativity. Accordingly, this study proposed a structural model to examine CPD factors contributing to EFL teachers’ creativity. Due to the outcome of SEM, collaborating is the best predictor of Iranian EFL teachers’ creativity. Moreover, this study provides evidence that there is no significant difference in the level of Iranian EFL teachers’ creativity between male and female teachers and years of teaching experience. Together these results provide important insights into the significant role of CPD on the teachers’ creativity. These findings provide a potential mechanism for teachers, supervisors, and administrators of English language institutes or schools to elevate teachers’ creativity knowledge, and education by applying beneficial practices and activities of CPD.


2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Keller ◽  
Curtis J. Bonk ◽  
Khe Hew

Professional development that leads to change in teacher practice is hard to find, especially professional development focused on technology integration. The Teacher Institute for Curriculum Knowledge about the Integration of Technology (TICKIT) successfully answers both challenges. This article reports on a study aimed at understanding the impact of one professional development program on self-reported levels of technology integration. We then frame the success of the design and the positive associations of the TICKIT experiences with increased levels of technology integration against the situated perspective on learning. The situated perspective and its instantiation in the teacher institute provide insight about why the program was effective. We propose that the active ingredient in the model is the intentional design of the program around the tenets of the situated perspective.


2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-448
Author(s):  
Tom Fullerton

This piece is an autobiographical reflection on practice. Models of professional development are reviewed based on personal experience in the field working with practicing teachers in a variety of capacities. A case is made for teacher inquiry as a model for sustained professional improvement over time that is personally meaningful and potentially transformative. The reader is invited to consider how education technology leaders can leverage the potential of connected classrooms by transforming teacher practice.


2021 ◽  
pp. 016264342110335
Author(s):  
Emily Hoeh ◽  
Tara L. Kaczorowski

The Innovations and Special Education Technology Professional Development Committee would like to extend its appreciation to the following leaders in the field of Special Education. Each of the following individuals volunteered to speak during the 2020–2021 ISET Expert Panel Discussion series and shared expertise on a variety of pressing topics during remote instruction due to the COVID pandemic. The information sharing is a testament to their unwavering support for the members of ISET and all of the stakeholders involved in supporting individuals with disabilities.


RELC Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 003368822098178
Author(s):  
Anisa Cheung

This article reports a case study of an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Hong Kong who conducted lessons via Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focused on the factors influencing her technology integration in synchronous online teaching mode. Using data from classroom recordings, stimulated-recall and semi-structured interviews, this study uncovered how Zoom functioned as a substitute for face-to-face lessons. The findings revealed that although there were fewer interactions between the teacher and her students, teaching in synchronous online mode provided the teacher with opportunities to utilize certain online features to augment methods of checking student understanding. The study identified the teacher’s pedagogical beliefs, the context and professional development as factors that influenced the level of technology integration in her Zoom classes. The study concludes that embracing process-oriented pedagogies may be necessary for a higher level of technology integration among ESL teachers who have adequate professional development opportunities and school support.


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