Teachers and technology in the Pacific

Although digital literacy is increasing in the Pacific region, access to educational technologies within the education sector remains inconsistent for both teachers and their students. This report presents an analysis of current practices that support technology integration in the classroom, with a particular focus on the work of teachers in the Pacific Island states of Palau, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Based on an analysis of academic and grey literature, and interviews with key stakeholders involved in the implementation of educational technologies in the region, several key findings emerge. Education policies and practices designed to improve the digital literacy and skills of teachers have expanded, and donor-driven investments in educational technologies have provided more opportunities for technology integration in the education sector across the Pacific. However, although teachers have increasing chances to learn about and engage with pedagogies and practices that incorporate educational technologies, existing poor infrastructure limit the opportunities to apply these new skills in the classroom. The report concludes with considerations for supporting more sustainable practices in the region that may allow teachers to integrate technology into their practice in meaningful ways into the future.