Practices and Utilization of Digital Technology of Preschool Teachers in China: Basis of Technology Enhancement Program

Abstract

Most recent reforms to the Chinese education system as it relates to young children have focused on both increasing the number of children participating in preschool education in China and also in developing new curricula. Chinese preschools have been shaped by a combination of traditional Chinese culture, communist ideology, and western ideology and views on education. The study was conducted in the preschools in Anhui Province. The range of people who participated in this study includes the preschool teachers. The study is focus only on identifying the teachers practices and utilization of digital technologies. Most of the preschool teacher respondents in China are very young and are almost starting only in their preschool teaching career. The results of the study showed that the teachers respondents are practicing using technological tools and improving technical skills. However, preschool teachers skills in using digital tools can still be enhanced and their technical skills can still be improved. Trainings specific on preschool education must be organized and teachers must actively participate on it. As the preschool teachers continuously improve their academic background, the more they become more expose in using technology and the more they can improve their technical skills. The same is true if they have more years of teaching experience compare to the young and new preschool teachers. While the teachers utilized digital technologies in classroom activities, they still need to exert extra effort to make sure that e- learning resources are fully maximized as it will assist their way of delivering instruction to the young learners. As more experienced teachers are not very much expose in using technology, their dedication to learn and equipped themselves in digital technologies are obvious. However, preschool teachers whatever their age, teaching experience and educational attainment must aim to improve their knowledge and skills in using technology as a means to deliver instruction. As the practices towards technology in terms of improving technical skills is related to utilization of digital technologies in class activities, it only means that the preschool confidence must be boost so they can maximized utilizing technology in their instruction.