CURRENT ISSUES & CHALLENGES IN THE USE OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS IN TEACHING ENGLISH IN MAJAYJAY DISTRICT: THE EXPERIENCES OF ENGLISH TEACHERS

Abstract

The research study focused on the experiences of teachers in the current issues and challenges in the use of different software applications in teaching English. Specifically, it aimed to determine the status of ICT facilities that are available to teachers teaching English in Majayjay District, extent of English Teachers’ Expertise on different ICT Software skills and programs, perceived issues, and challenges in the use of ICT in teaching and their significant relationships. The research involved one-hundred seven (107) teachers teaching English subjects. Frequency Distribution was used to determine the extent of ICT facilities that are available to teachers. A researcher-made questionnaire was used as the main instrument to obtain the necessary data. Weighted Mean and Standard Deviation was used to determine the extent of English Teachers’ Expertise on different ICT skills and Programs as well as the perceived issues and challenges in the use of ICT in teaching. In addition, Spearman Correlation was used to determine the significant relationship between ICT Facilities and issues and challenges in the use of software applications in teaching. The results of the study revealed that most of the teachers have ICT facilities available for their teaching. In terms of Teachers’ Expertise on different ICT Skills and Programs, most of the teachers have “Very High Expertise” on MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Google Forms, Search Engines, Social Networks (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet, etc.), Google Classroom, Email, File Attachment, and Windows & File Management with Average Weighted Mean of 4.48, 4.35, 4.57, 4.23, 4.61, 4.56, 3.98, 4.42, 4.52, and 4.51 respectively. Also, teachers teaching English in Majayjay District perceive the issues and challenges in the use of ICT in teaching with “Very High Challenge” specifically in terms of External Variables, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease-of-Use (PEOU), Attitude towards used and Social Influence Processes with Weighted Mean of 3.46, 4.32, 3.95, 3.43, 3.01, and 3.45. The relationship between Teacher’s Expertise on Software Application and the Issues and Challenges in the Use of Software Application in Teaching has a significant relationship with the Perceived Usefulness (r=0.626, p= 0.000); Perceived Ease-of-Use (PEOU) (r=0.442, p= 0.000); Attitude toward Use (r=0.306, p= 0.001), and Social Influence Processes (r=0.264, p= 0.015) and do not have a significant relationship with External Variables (r=0.055, p=0.577) and Behavioral Intention (r=0.030, p=0.759).