Integration of digital resources in Portuguese Language class – what is the knowledge shown by the teachers?

Abstract

The use of digital technologies and educational resources (RED) in Portuguese teaching class is not new. New challenges are currently put in the teaching Portuguese language. An essential condition for the teachers integrate effectively the technology in class is to understand the knowledge to make it happen. Mishra and Koehler (2006) present the “Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge” (TPACK), explaining the teachers’ essential knowledge to integrate RED in class. Supported on their theoretical framework, the present study investigates the TPACK of primary school teachers based on the their own reported practice of RED in Portuguese class. It was an exploratory study with qualitative analysis. A Google enquiry was used to collect teachers’ report. The final number of reports was 843. The findings show that teachers know and use many resources for learning activities in the Portuguese class. Furthermore, teachers have strong conviction that digital resources facilitate learning, including the context and the transfer of linguistic knowledge. Further studies are needed to understand how the TPACK is carried out for the implementation of the Portuguese learning goals.