Teacher training as a key factor in the integration of Digital Interactive Whiteboards. Perspectives of teachers and ICT coordinators

Abstract

In the last two decades, there has been an increasing number of educational institutions interested in adopting ICTs in their classrooms. This is the situation of early childhood and primary education state schools in the city of Alcorcón, Madrid. During the 2010/2011 school year, the government of this city council implanted 400 digital interactive whiteboards in these schools. The first objective is to know the initial impact on the teaching and learning process, through the teachers surveyed, as the main agents of change. In 2013/2014 school year, after several years, it is intended to know the evolution of the resource through the ICT coordinators interviewed. A mixed methodology has been employed and the main results demonstrated a good initial adoption, despite different drawbacks, such as the poor training received, technical problems, large investment of time, etc. Definitely, it can be concluded that the motivation, the change in methodology and assessment and, especially, the technical and pedagogical training are key to successful integration.