PERCEIVED ICT COMPETENCIES OF TEACHERS: EVIDENCES FROM KENDRIYA VIDYALAYS

Perceived ICT competencies indicate the teachers‟ ability as well as the level of confidence in ICT knowledge and skills. Teachers‟ competence with computer technology is a key factor for effective use of ICT in teaching. Perceived ICT competencies of teachers working in Kendriya Vidyalays of Odisha were examined through the ICT competency scale. The competencies include fundamental concepts, knowledge and skills on basic ICT competencies and advanced ICT competencies. The findings of the study revealed that The result indicates that a majority of male and female teachers perceive themselves as competent in ICT competencies. The results indicate that „majority of the more experienced teachers‟ do not perceive themselves as competent in ICT competencies, and they are neutral on most of these competencies, whereas, less experienced teachers exhibited higher confidence in most of the ICT competencies. However, it is found that teachers who have already completed any certificate programme in computer perceive their ICT competency level better than their counterparts who have not gone through any formal certificate programme in computer. Furthermore, results indicated that a majority of teachers with computer course perceive their highest competency levels as “sufficient” or “completely sufficient” in the „use of word processors for personal and institutional purposes.