Ecuadorian high school teachers perceptions on ICT use in their EFL classes

Abstract

Abstract:The present research focused to investigate, analyze, and discuss Ecuadorian high school teachers’ perceptions on the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in their English as a foreign language (EFL) classes. Additionally, it explored teachers’ barriers and perceptions by gender in relation to the factors that they consider the most influential to use ICT in their classrooms. The study applied quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the data were collected through survey and interview to gain relevant information. Besides, the investigation involved ten EFL male and female teachers from a private high school in the city of Loja, and only six of them participated in the interview. The results of this research revealed that the most important factors that affected the integration of ICT in EFL male teachers classes were age, and training in the use of technological tools. Finally, the factors that influence the most on female teachers in the use of ICT were the lack of confidence to learn about new digital tools and a positive attitude towards ICT use in class.