Integration and Contextualisation of TPACK and ICT 21st Century Skills When e-Tutoring in Online Distance Learning

Abstract

The year 2020 saw the adoption of technology-based teaching, learning, and assessment occurring at a staggering rate. However, very few studies have examined the integration of technology in e-tutoring in open distance e-learning (ODeL). This research sought, firstly, to investigate the perceptions of the integration and contextualisation of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge (TPACK) and 21st-century skills in the context of ODeL. Secondly, it sought to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the TPACK used during the COVID-19 pandemic. By way of research methodology, this research aimed to adapt an existing questionnaire, known as TPACK21 in Australasia. The questionnaire was adapted to suit qualitative research and the ODeL teaching and learning context. The findings point to the need to bridge the gap between technology and language education in the 21st century. Universities should train e-tutors, acknowledge their information and communication technology profiles, and consider their competences when preparing them for the 21st century environments with new technologies.