Training school teachers to the use of ICT – a preliminary study on motivation and attitude to innovation

As part of an innovation project for the public schools of an Italian municipality, the whole body of teachers was enrolled in a training course on the use of ICT in didactic. Before the training, data on ICT expertise, attitude towards teaching and attitude towards training on the use of ICT were collected, to identify factors facilitating and preventing a successful exit of the training, in order to better customize it. A total of 456 questionnaires were analyzed. The interviewed showed an average level of ICT competence, but relevant gaps on some useful teaching tool. Teachers expressed a good inclination towards the more creative aspects of their profession, an element evaluated as congruent with the adoption of more student-centered pedagogical practice, but conflicting attitudes were expressed on the whole idea of entering a training process. Results suggest that an effective training program needs to address the change of pedagogical approach adopted from the teachers, the use of online communication tools and spaces as well as educational apps and tool and the reinforcement of a virtuous circle of feedback reception from the students that contribute to motivate the teachers actively involved in the process of change.