Teacher education in the face of new virtual teaching and learning opportunities from a technological, pedagogical and human perspective/ La formación del profesorado ante las nuevas oportunidades de enseñanza y aprendizaje virtual desde una dimensión tecnológica, pedagógica y humana

Abstract

COVID-19 has had an impact on the education of aspiring teachers, generating new ways of teaching and learning in which technologies have become our main resources. This article, based on empirical evidence, analyzes the importance of maintaining the pedagogical and human essence in an emergency remote teaching environment. Its main objective is to analyze the use, during the lockdown, of a series of digital resources and tools (Video classes, Blog, Digital Portfolio, virtual vole playing and online games) that, planned in a pedagogical way, foster motivation, collaboration and positive attitudes towards virtual learning. Through a mixed methodology and a pre-experimental design, data from 61 students for the Master’s Degree in Teaching at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid) was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, using a questionnaire designed ad hoc and validated by experts, as well as testimonies, teaching evaluations and final grades. For this purpose, a frequency distribution analysis, a descriptive analysis and a comparison of the evolution of some variables, both before and after lockdown, were carried out. The main conclusion drawn was a resounding confirmation that it is possible to acquire knowledge, develop skills, in general; digital skills, in particular, and positive attitudes towards a virtual environment without sacrificing motivation and collaboration. The use of these tools and resources is transferable to other subjects and degree programs, with a minimum of technical and didactic knowledge and digital teaching competence. In addition, the results obtained may be useful for the designing of didactic strategies that connect the pedagogical, technological and human dimensions in the educations of tomorrow’s teachers.