Advantages and difficulties in the use of digital platforms and technologies by teachers and students

Abstract

This study analyzes the advantages and difficulties of teachers and students regarding the use of a selection of nine digital platforms and technologies for daily school activities and verifies whether the situation resulting from the quarantine due to covid-19 generated other problems in the use of those digital platforms and technologies. Questionnaires were applied to 105 students and 45 teachers in five schools in Portugal. The results revealed that teachers and students agreed with the advantages and contributions of the use of digital platforms and technologies. As for the difficulties, the teachers pointed out problems with the obsolescence and the insufficiency of the equipment and with the internet access presented as the main ones encountered when using the digital platforms and technologies. The students indicated internet access as their main difficulty. During the pandemic, teachers reported difficulties more associated with social, pedagogical, and technical aspects, while students related it more to personal issues.

The impact of Digital Platforms on English Learning in Ecuadorian Public Primary Schools

“…Authors such as Fialho et al (2023), García (2024), Hennessy et al, (2022), and Silva (2024, agree that digital platforms are excellent resources for education since they allow classes or distance training to be organized and managed. allows the child to interact and develop their intellectual abilities, reinforcing language learning by applying challenging games, encouraging concentration, motivation, participation, and the value of responsibility in tasks since they feel motivated to learn, in addition to developing their autonomy, it integrates the entire educational community and promotes collaborative work, also allowing continuity in education when for some reason it cannot be done in person, in such a way that it also promotes savings in time and money.…”

“…According to Fialho et al (2023), they are great tools for education because they let you plan and oversee remote training sessions and classes in-depth or even assist students; they encourage enjoyable and interactive learning in early childhood by utilizing various platforms that let kids play, interact, and learn; they enable remote learning that can be done both independently and with parental guidance. Technology has the power to unite the entire educational community, encourage teamwork, allow self-training through browsing and searching for educational programs and video games that expand vocabulary, improve memory, focus, logical reasoning, coordination, and spatial orientation, allow for productive and efficient learning, save time and money, and foster the development of English language learning skills such as production in childhood.…”