CORRELATION BETWEEN ENGLISH TEACHERS’ COMPUTER SKILLS, PERCEPTIONS, DEMOGRAPHICS, AND ICT INTEGRATION AT VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS OF SOUTH KONAWE REGENCY

Abstract: The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is essential especially in the 21 st century learning. The implementation of curriculum 2013 also accentuates the integration of ICT into learning. In which, teachers are demanded to integrate ICT not only as tool of creating learning media but also as way of improving interesting EFL classroom. However, there are some barriers for teachers that prevent them to integrate ICT in the classroom and develop supporting materials through ICT. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the correlation between English teachers’ computer skills, perceptions, demographics, and ICT integration at vocational schools of South Konawe Regency. Quantitative analysis was applied to a statistical data set collected in the context of study involving 19 English teachers of vocational schools. Questionnaires and interview were employed to examine the correlation among the variables. The findings of this study revealed that there was a positive, high, and significant correlation between teachers’ computer skills and ICT integration (r count 0.818 > r table 0.455), teachers’ perceptions and ICT integration (r count 0.677 > r table 0.455), as well as teachers’ computer experience and ICT integration (r count 0.722 > r table 0.455). Meanwhile, the correlation between teachers’ age, teaching experience, and their ICT integration were found to be negative and moderate. Both of them were indicated with the score of Pearson Correlation -0.487 > r table 0.455 This study implies that in term of quality, most English teachers of vocational schools of South Konawe Regency are ready to face 21 st century learning demand. However, the obligation of educational stakeholders to provide infrastructure remains a serious concern. Keywords: ICT integration, computer skills, teachers’ perceptions