Valuing Teachers’ Flexibility, Resourcefulness and Proactivity in Processes of Educational Change: Investigating Teachers’ Use of Information and Communication Technology in English Language Teaching in Secondary Schools in Ben Tre Province, Vietnam

Le, Hung Vu (2020) Valuing Teachers’ Flexibility, Resourcefulness and Proactivity in Processes of Educational Change: Investigating Teachers’ Use of Information and Communication Technology in English Language Teaching in Secondary Schools in Ben Tre Province, Vietnam. PhD thesis, University of Gloucestershire. doi:10.46289/EN23CV61

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Abstract

This research investigates teachers’ perceptions of Information Communication Technology (ICT) use in English Language Teaching (ELT) in secondary schools in Ben Tre Province, Vietnam, to explore how they have used ICT in ELT and examine what obstacles they believe impede its effective integration in the classroom. The relationship between the obstacles identified is investigated in detail to understand how ICT use in ELT may be enhanced. The research was conducted as a qualitative research in which data was collected through semi-structured interviews and observations of sixteen English teachers at four research sites. Fullan’s (2015) Educational Change Theory (ECT) and Rogers’ (2003) Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DoIT) were combined into a unique theoretical framework that was used to guide the data collection and analysis. Through this analysis, factors that facilitated and obstructed the integration of ICT in ELT were explored across three themes identified during the development of the theoretical framework. These themes are: policy, technology, and people (including administrators, teachers, and students). In addition, a further underlying theme was suggested by the data that influenced the first three. This theme was labelled ‘local characteristics’ and it covered culture, demography, economy, and infrastructure. The outcomes of this research study revealed that factors within the theme of “people” were crucial to the successful integration of ICT in ELT. It was found that English teachers who were flexible, resourceful and proactive were most successful at using ICT effectively in ELT. However, the administrative skills of administrators combined with local characteristics created several obstacles during policymaking and technological implementation. As a result, this research study makes a series of recommendations that support teachers in being flexible, resourceful and proactive. These include: the use of open-source software and apps to replicate expensive devices such as the interactive whiteboard; and the establishment of local data centres with dedicated staff and devices instead of poorly equipped labs in schools. It is hoped that the results and recommendations of this study will drive change within Ben Tre Province and contribute to future research within similar contexts.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Thesis Advisors:
Thesis AdvisorEmailURL
Bryan, Hazelhbryan@glos.ac.ukUNSPECIFIED
Tandoi, Eveetandoi@glos.ac.ukUNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: English language teaching; Information and communication technology; Secondary school education, Vietnam
Subjects: L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools
P Language and Literature > PE English
Divisions: Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Applied Sciences
Depositing User: Susan Turner
Date Deposited: 18 Feb 2022 12:47
Last Modified: 31 Aug 2023 08:43
URI: https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/10726

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