Teachers' Lived Experiences of Integrating Technology in Classroom Instruction

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study examined teachers’ lived experiences of integrating technology into classroom instruction. It explored their perceptions of technology use, the challenges they encountered, the adaptive strategies they employed, and the meanings they ascribed to technology integration in instructional practice. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with selected teachers and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that technology integration is a context-dependent and pedagogically mediated practice shaped by structural constraints and teacher agency. Participants reported persistent challenges related to unstable internet connectivity, limited access to devices, and inadequate technological resources, which constrained the effective use of digital tools in classroom instruction. Despite these limitations, teachers demonstrated adaptability by employing alternative strategies such as offline resources, scaffolded instruction, peer collaboration, and flexible lesson planning to sustain student engagement and learning continuity. Technology was perceived as beneficial in organizing instruction, clarifying concepts, and increasing learner participation when purposefully aligned with instructional objectives. The findings further underscored the role of reflective practice in enabling teachers to evaluate and refine their technology integration strategies. Participants also emphasized the need for sustained professional development to strengthen their technological and pedagogical competencies. Effective technology integration emerged not as the simple adoption of digital tools but as a deliberate, context-sensitive process of aligning technology with pedagogical goals, learner needs, and classroom realities. In response, the study proposes a context-based Technology Integration Enhancement Program to support teachers through capacity-building, collaborative learning, and reflective professional development. The study contributes to the literature on technology integration in resource-constrained educational settings and offers practical insights for strengthening teacher support and instructional practice.