JEELS (Journal of English Education and Linguistics Studies)
Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026): JEELS May 2026

Bridging the digital divide: A narrative inquiry of EFL teachers’ Tech-PD Experiences in rural schools

Sri Rahayu, Nanik (Unknown)
Isnawati, Uzlifatul Masruroh (Unknown)
Albayyan, Ali Abdullah Ahmad (Unknown)
Martins, Arcenia Maria (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 May 2026

Abstract

Despite the growing emphasis on digital literacy in education, research on technology-based professional development (Tech-PD) for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in rural and under-resourced contexts remains limited. Existing studies have examined technology integration in urban or well-resourced schools, teachers’ ICT competencies, and general challenges in online teaching, but there is a paucity of research exploring how senior EFL teachers in rural schools develop and apply digital skills through structured professional development. This study addresses this gap by investigating the experiences of six senior EFL teachers from rural schools in Indonesia who participated in a Tech-PD program. Using a narrative inquiry approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed via thematic analysis. Findings of the study demonstrates that context-sensitive Tech-PD can empower rural teachers to overcome infrastructural constraints and improve instructional practices. These findings have practical implications for teacher education and policy, emphasizing the need for continuous, hands-on, and collaborative professional development programs. 

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jeels

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

JEELS aims to disseminate the results of research in English Education and Linguistics. The published articles are the findings of research in the field of English language education and linguistics. The scope of research includes: English language teaching and learning English language testing and ...