A multi-centric investigation of technology integration in health professions education: The importance of educators’ Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge

Abstract

The widespread acknowledgment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a fundamental component of educational strategies is a key context for understanding the findings of our study, which focused on the use of technology by educators in higher education, particularly in the health professions domain. This study examines technology usage patterns and factors influencing active implementation of technology among health professions educators. A cross-sectional survey involving 202 educators from six institutions in Morocco reveals their high confidence in their Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), notably in Pedagogical and Content domains. The study highlights a prevalence of passive digital learning activities over active approaches. Educators actively employing technology display enhanced TPACK, emphasizing the significance of TPACK development for effective technology integration in teaching practices. Among those with a good level of active technology use, a majority (102 out of 119) have a high TPACK level, and 54 out of 83 of those categorised as low-level participants have a low TPACK level. The findings contribute valuable insights with both theoretical and practical implications for educators in the health professions, emphasizing the significance of aligning technology use with effective instructional practices in this specialized field. Further research should be pursued with diverse methodological approaches to gain a deeper comprehension of the technology integration process in the health profession domain.