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Integrating technology in English language teaching through a community of practice in the Sultanate of Oman: implications for policy implementation

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Abstract

Much has been written, published, and presented about the important role and uses of technology in English language teaching (ELT) today and the effect it can have on students’ learning. The present qualitative study is an intervention, which attempted to explore the integration of technology among 11 public school English language teachers in the Sultanate of Oman through the use of community of practice (CoP). As the first in the region, this qualitative study triangulated data using a focus group interview and reflective journals. Three themes emerged from the data analysis. Despite certain challenges, the findings were generally positive and encouraging, and revealed that if a CoP is effectively utilized to the fullest to integrate technology in ELT, it can facilitate policy implementation and Second Language Teacher Education (SLTE) in the Sultanate of Oman, the neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council countries, some Asian and Far Eastern countries, and beyond.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ministry of Education, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

    Tahani Al-Habsi

  2. Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

    Saleh Al-Busaidi

  3. Sultan Qaboos university, P.O. Box 3058, 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman

    Ali Al-Issa

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  1. Tahani Al-Habsi
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  2. Saleh Al-Busaidi
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  3. Ali Al-Issa
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Correspondence to Ali Al-Issa.

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Appendix A: Focus group discussion questions

Appendix A: Focus group discussion questions

  1. 1.

    How do you view your experience of participating in a CoP?

  2. 2.

    How do you view the integration of technology in teaching?

  3. 3.

    How did you contribute to the CoP?

  4. 4.

    Have you achieved what you wanted in the CoP?

  5. 5.

    What things did you like most about the CoP meetings?

  6. 6.

    What things did you like least about CoP?

  7. 7.

    What have you learned?

  8. 8.

    What skills have you gained?

  9. 9.

    Has the CoP helped you build relationships with other members?

  10. 10.

    Did these relationships motivate you to participate? How? Why/why not?

  11. 11.

    How are you currently using technology in your teaching and for what purposes?

  12. 12.

    Has the CoP helped you to integrate technology into your teaching?

  13. 13.

    Has your understanding of how effective technology can be integrated changed?

  14. 14.

    What challenges did you face?

  15. 15.

    How did you deal with the challenges?

  16. 16.

    Do you think you will continue to contribute to the CoP after the study?

  17. 17.

    Do you think you can use technology more effectively in your teaching?

  18. 18.

    What suggestions do you have for improving the CoP?

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Al-Habsi, T., Al-Busaidi, S. & Al-Issa, A. Integrating technology in English language teaching through a community of practice in the Sultanate of Oman: implications for policy implementation. Educ Res Policy Prac 21, 43–68 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10671-021-09291-z

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