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Factors affecting the adoption of information and communication technologies in teaching

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Abstract

This study describes the level of adoption of information and communication technologies in teaching in three Latin American countries. It also analyzes factors that affect the process by which teachers incorporate these technologies into their classrooms. In order to do so, an online survey was conducted with 89 teachers. The results show that most of the teachers rated themselves at the highest levels of technology adoption. However, the analysis reveals differences between countries associated with individual-type factors, such as the perception of ICT’s contribution to teaching and learning, and the training and knowledge teachers have in this realm. By contrast, the professional culture was not correlated to these differences, and the various actors with which teachers interact, such as the education ministry and school administration, displayed a non-linear relationship with technology adoption. This suggests the need for a better understanding of the complex relationship between the culture, the various actors involved, and the degree to which teachers adopt technology in education.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Chilean Ministry of Education though CONICYT, under grant CIE-01-4 CEPPE; Clavemat project, which has facilitated access to all participating teachers, is financed by the European Union through Alfa III.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education – CEPPE, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avda. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, 7820436, Santiago, Chile

    Álvaro Salinas

  2. Computer Science Department, School of Engineering – CEPPE, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Miguel Nussbaum

  3. Computer Engineering School, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile

    Oriel Herrera

  4. Telematics Department, Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering School, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia

    Mario Solarte

  5. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA

    Roberto Aldunate

Authors
  1. Álvaro Salinas
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  2. Miguel Nussbaum
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  3. Oriel Herrera
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  4. Mario Solarte
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  5. Roberto Aldunate
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Álvaro Salinas.

Appendix. Survey questions

Appendix. Survey questions

Choose the one phrase that best represents your opinion about your own level of pedagogical usage of ICT:

I am aware that technology exists but have not used it. Perhaps I’m even avoiding it

 

I am currently trying to learn the basics. I am often frustrated using computers. I lack confidence when using computers.

 

I am beginning to understand the process of using technology and can think of specific tasks for which it might be useful.

 

I am gaining a sense of confidence when using the computer for specific tasks. I am starting to feel comfortable using the computer.

 

I think about the computer as a tool to help me and am no longer concerned about it as technology. I can use it with many applications and software and as an instructional aide.

 

I can apply what I know about technology in the classroom. I am able to use it as an instructional tool and integrate it into the curriculum.

 

In your teaching experience, has ICT contributed to:

 

Not contributed at all

Contributed superficially

Contributed significantly

Contributed very significantly

Do not know/not applicable

Changing the way I teach classes?

     

Improving my lesson planning?

     

Improving my teacher training?

     

Improving the access to resources for teaching?

     

Changing my views on education?

     

Changing the way I see my role as a teacher?

     

Changing the way I work with my students?

     

Improving your relationship with students?

     

Improving your students’ grades?

     

Learning the contents of the course?

     

Motivating students to learn?

     

Improving your students’ self-esteem?

     

Helping students develop communication or problem solving skills?

     

Increasing student participation in class?

     

Read the following phrases and mark with an X your own level for EACH ONE of the phrases:

 

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

My colleagues serve as constant support to me in my work.

    

My work is recognized by the administration at my school.

    

I feel pressured by the Ministry of Education to change the way I work.

    

I feel that at my school, I can make mistakes within a certain margin, without facing serious consquences.

    

How would you rate your own knowledge of each of the following applications or technologies?

 

No idea

I know a little (I need help to do simple things)

I know enough (I can manage simply things autonomously, but not the things I am interested in)

I know a lot (I use different services and I am able to learn new things on my own).

Use a projector or data show

    

Send an e-mail

    

Search for information using Google, Yahoo, or other search engines

    

Write a text in a word processor (Word)

    

Use a spreadsheet (Excel)

    

Use multimedia presentations (PowerPoint)

    

Use educational software

    

Use web 2.0 tools (blog or Facebook)

    

Use simulators or robots

    

Use digital smartboards

    

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Salinas, Á., Nussbaum, M., Herrera, O. et al. Factors affecting the adoption of information and communication technologies in teaching. Educ Inf Technol 22, 2175–2196 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-016-9540-7

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