| dc.description.abstract | This mixed methods study explored the Norwegian lower secondary English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ beliefs, practices, challenges, and suggested solutions regarding the use of digital games in the classroom. The aim of the study was thus to find out the beliefs of Norwegian lower secondary EFL teachers regarding the use of digital games, specifically investigating their current practices and attitudes. Furthermore, it investigated the challenges the teachers reported to experience when implementing digital games in their teaching practices. Additionally, it looked into what teachers found beneficial in order to implement digital games in their teaching practices. Data was collected through a questionnaire answered by 73 teacher participants and via four in-depth teacher interviews.
The study revealed that a majority of teachers used digital games in their EFL lessons. Approximately 40% of these were categorised as regular users and 60% as occasional users. Notably, four distinct attitudes towards digital games emerged through data analysis, namely enthusiastic, moderate, ambivalent, and reluctant. These four attitudes were found to significantly impact the implementation of digital games in the classroom. As for challenges reported by the teachers, these mainly revolved around issues, such as teacher competence, time constraints, and resource availability. However, the study revealed the crucial influence of the teachers' beliefs in shaping their practices regarding the use of digital games. The teachers suggested that enhancing teacher competence and providing necessary resources could reduce these challenges and increase the use of digital games in EFL classroom.
This research study contributes to the field of knowledge by shedding light on the complex relationship between the teachers' beliefs, practices, and challenges in implementing digital games into the EFL classroom. Further exploration into strategies for increasing teacher competence may offer valuable insights for the use of digital games in the EFL classroom. | |
