Browsing by Author "Luz, Regina Margarete Correia Cavaco da"
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- What factors contribute to or restrict the use of ICT in ESL/EFL lessons in the Primary School in PortugalPublication . Luz, Regina Margarete Correia Cavaco da; Lopes, António Manuel BernardoICT emerged as the result of a world constantly driven by change and innovation. With the raise of a new generation where technology is an inseparable part of their daily lives, the school system had to quickly adapt. However, technology is slowly progressing in the educational setting due to some features that seem to influence the use of ICT in schools. Studies reveal that there are five main dimensions which directly affect its use, namely: a) teachers’, students’ and parents’ attitudes and beliefs; b) teachers’ training and knowledge in ICT; c) schools’ resources; d) the school as a facilitator of ICT and e) external policies. Hence, the aim of this study is to present the factors that endorse or restrict ICT use in English language teaching to young learners in Portugal. To determine the profile, attitudes and beliefs of the teachers as well as to identify teaching practices and schools’ resources, a quantitative design methodology was adopted and survey was made available. Regardless of the small size of the sample population, the fact that the participants were from all over Portugal contributed for a global representation of the Portuguese ICT educational scenario within Primary English language teaching. The results showed that the majority of the ESL/EFL primary teachers are middle-aged females with few years of experience in this specific field and only a third of them have ICT training. They believe in ICT as a powerful teaching tool, frequently use it though scarce ICT skills are exhibited. Additionally integrative ICT training should be considered. Moreover, teachers clash with the need to amend the curriculum, expressing resistance to change. Technological scarcity and the need to improve its resources also emerge as another barrier to its use. Further research to consolidate these findings is needed, though it could be used as a driving force for a training programme that meets the needs detected in this study.