A Blueprint for In-Service Teacher Training Program in Technology Integration

Abstract

The developments in the digital age are reflected in foreign language classrooms today, yet, teachers’ incompetence resulting from insufficient training about various technologies during their previous education prevent them from integrating technology into their classrooms effectively. Especially with the sudden increasing demand of online teaching due to COVID-19, there is a strong need to handle this issue as teachers continue doing their jobs. However, due to many reasons, in-service teacher training programs have been the subject of criticisms. This paper explains a blueprint for designing and implementing a context-specific in-service teacher training program for using web 2.0 tools in EFL lessons. The participants were 122 English language teachers working at the School of Foreign Languages at Anadolu University. Survey forms were utilized as data collection tools in this design-based study. Eight successive stages were followed in the training program. The feedback gathered both from the learners and the teachers show that both groups appreciated technology integration and the in-service teacher training program. Thus, based on overall findings, this blueprint can be suggested and developed for similar institutions wishing to increase their teachers’ competencies in integrating technology into their classrooms.