EFL Teaching and ICT Teacher Education: Spotlight on Moroccan High School Teachers

Abstract

There is a scholarly consensus on the prominent role information and communication technologies (ICT) play in education, particularly in language teaching.  In line with the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards for educators, the present paper probes the roles EFL teachers play as ICT learners. It also sheds light on the significance of online professional development in promoting teachers’ continual upskilling. To this end, a quantitative survey questionnaire is administered to 55 high school teachers. Participants belong to the community of EFL teachers working in private schools in Marrakesh, Morocco.  Results demonstrate a general interest among participants in taking part in online pedagogical interactions that promote ICT integration in the classroom. Most teachers are also willing to incorporate innovative technology-enhanced activities into their classroom practices and test their effectiveness. In the same vein, the majority of respondents expressed interest to enroll in online professional development. As far as active participation in local e- communities of teachers is concerned, a positive attitude is clearly noted among male participants, younger generations of teachers, and better internet users. On the other hand, a reticence to engage online with colleagues at international level is particularly tracked among more experienced teachers. In view of the above results, there is an incessant need to account for online professional development as well as the use of ICT tools in structured teacher training programs. In the same mode, both prospective and in-service teachers should be trained on the use of internet-based platforms through professional meetings and demo-lessons. From another scale, Awareness should be raised among practitioners, especially veteran teachers, about the merits of enrollment in e-communities of teachers and the benefits of digitizing their teaching practices on their professional development.