Teachers' Perceptions of Digital Technology Use in 21st-Century Learning at SMPN 18 Pekanbaru

Abstract

In the 21st-century educational era, the use of digital technology has become an urgent need in the learning process. This study aims to examine teachers' perceptions of the use of digital technology in 21st-century learning at SMPN 18 Pekanbaru. Technology is not only used for administrative aspects but also as a tool to enhance the effectiveness of learning, teacher creativity, and student engagement. Teachers' perceptions are crucial as they influence the extent to which technology can be optimally integrated into classrooms. This study employs a descriptive quantitative approach using survey techniques. The instrument used was a questionnaire distributed to 33 teachers, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques through SPSS. The research results showed that the average teacher perception score was 124.24 out of a maximum score of 150, indicating that teachers had a high and positive perception of the use of digital technology in learning. These findings indicate that teachers at SMPN 18 Pekanbaru are ready to adopt and integrate technology into learning. These results align with previous studies stating that teachers are enthusiastic about digital learning media, but this study offers a different contribution by providing specific quantitative evidence at the junior high school level. Therefore, ongoing technology training is highly recommended to enhance teachers' capacity in managing effective and meaningful digital learning.