HR4RS stamp
Libya Munoz Aguilera
This work is part of the collaboration that these teachers have been carrying out since 2016 in International Studies -directed by BlinkLearning- on the use of technology in the classroom, more specifically in the VII International Study on the use of technology in Education in 2022.
To carry out this study, previously approved by the URJC Research Ethics Committee, a questionnaire validated by a panel of experts was adapted and distributed through different channels. In total, 6.340 teachers from around the world participated, of which 2.160 come from Spain and 2.809 belong to nine Latin American countries, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic.
The main conclusion obtained is that, currently, technology has become an indispensable tool for teaching, highlighting as the main areas for improvement in the digitization process: the necessary improvement of classroom equipment, greater teacher training and better adaptation of the curriculum to the use of technologies.
Other major conclusions of the study have been that a large percentage of teachers have learned to use technology in a self-taught way and on their own initiative, and most consider that it is an element that motivates students. From the teaching perspective, the main difficulties in the use of technology in the classroom by students are: misinformation, misspellings, and possible disconnection caused by participation in social networks during classes.
The main challenges that must be faced, according to the participating teachers, are: overcrowded classrooms and further development of digital skills. Although 8 out of 10 teachers who participated in the study feel motivated by their profession, they claim certain problems such as the need to value their authority in front of students and families. In addition, they point out that there are few possibilities of progress in their professional career and demand more time to perfect their teaching work and reduce their bureaucratic burden.
About the impact of Covid19
According to the data provided by the VII Study, the majority of teachers already worked with digital tools prior to the pandemic (87% in the case of Spanish teachers and 67% in the case of Latin American teachers). However, unanimously, the necessary adaptation of the teaching and learning process to the completely online It has been a challenge for everyone.
Education and technology have in common that they are constantly evolving, therefore, it is important to promote processes of digital transformation and teaching innovation from all educational stages. According to the URJC researchers, "it is essential to analyze the current state of the teaching and learning process from the perspective of one of its protagonists: the teacher." In addition, they add that "this type of international studies allows us to learn about and exchange methodologies and impressions of teachers from different countries and better understand their evolution."
Collaboration with BlinkLearning
This Spanish company supports educational centers in 60 countries through advice on the personalization of education through digital tools. For more information about the VII International Study on the use of technology in education, you can access the complete study on the website of BlinkLearning.
Likewise, recently the Roundtable "How was the integration of technology in education during 2022?", where the main results were presented by experts from the world of education from different countries. The report of the previous studies can be downloaded on the website of the IMEI Research Group.
