Exploring the Perceptions of K-12 Teachers towards Ed-Tech Tools

Abstract

Technology has impacted nearly all facets of everyday life. Be it commerce or governance, technology is becoming an integral part of developing societies, and education is no exception to it. The necessity to include digital technologies in the educational system is growing due to their rapid development in contemporary practices. In the Indian context, the National Education Policy 2020 also emphasizes the importance of integrating technology at all levels of education. Further, it highlights facilitating teachers’ preparation for technological integration. The present study aimed to explore the teachers’ perceptions of technological integration in the teaching-learning process and awareness about emerging Ed-Tech tools. The sample consisted of N=50 in service teachers of primary to higher secondary levels from government and private schools in eastern states of India. These teachers were under in-service training for the academic session 2022-23. The results showed that most educators are supportive of technology-integrated teaching and learning. Furthermore, more than half of teachers have received proper training related to the functioning and applications of different tools and technologies. The study also revealed that some teachers who have average technological skills also held positive attitudes towards technological integration in teaching and learning. It showed that some factors that interfere negatively, made many teachers skeptical about technology integration in educational practices. In this study, we have found that few teachers had never utilized technology in the classroom and were technologically inept. The present study can be a base for further research in order to explore why these teachers couldn’t integrate technology into the teaching and learning process.