ERIC Number: EJ1449009
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Oct
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2357
EISSN: EISSN-1573-7608
Exploring Portuguese Preschool Educators' Attitudes and Practices on Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Education and Information Technologies, v29 n15 p19299-19320 2024
This study aims to explore preschool educators' attitudes towards to information and communication technology (ICT), its factors and implementation of ICT tools in preschool education by the educators. To this end, a mixed-method research approach was applied, comprising qualitative and quantitative data, collected using survey and field observation. The data, gathered from 58 preschool educators from the north of Portugal, were analysed by SPSS and the qualitative data gathered by five classroom observations analysed by thematic analysis method. Findings indicated that preschool educators have positive attitudes towards ICT integration in education regardless of age, years of teaching experience and attending professional course predictors. Additionally, educators use ICT tools as materials to enhance classroom activities, engage children, and conduct research with them. The results of this study reveal that preschool educators hold positive attitudes toward ICT and actively implement activities using ICT. However, educators are still the main users of ICT in the classroom. It was also observed that as these five classrooms lack the technological infrastructure, the educators usually rely on their personal resources. The lack of ICT resources could affect the independent use of ICT by the children. According to the findings, the study recommends that there are some schools in Portugal that lack ICT infrastructure. In order to overcome this situation, school leaders and policymakers should invest in ICT infrastructure in preschool institutions in Portugal that face a lack of ICT tools.
Descriptors: Preschool Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Information Technology, Learning Activities, Foreign Countries, Technology Integration, Positive Attitudes, Technology Uses in Education, Barriers, Educational Resources, Personal Autonomy, Access to Computers, Preschool Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Portugal
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A