The Use Of Digital Visual Technology In Classroom Teaching In Changchun Secondary Schools In Jilin Province In China

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the use of Digital Visual Technology (DVT) in classroom teaching in Changchun secondary schools. The study findings were based on data collected in urban area secondary schools in Changchun city, Jilin province, China and secondary school teachers were the main source of information. The specific objectives were to identify the common resources used in digital visual technology practices in classroom teaching; to examine the implementation of digital visual technology in classroom teaching; to analyze the difficulties teachers face in using digital visual technology in classroom teaching and to assess the kind of support teachers were in their use of digital visual technology in classroom teaching. To achieve those objectives, the study was guided by the following research question:a) What are the common resources used in digital visual technology practices in classroom teaching & are they accessible?b) How do teachers implement digital-visual technology in classroom teaching?c) What are difficulties facing teachers in digital visual technology practices in classroom teaching?d) What kind of supports given to teachers in digital visual technology practices in classroom teaching?Two hundred and five (205) secondary teachers from ten (10) secondary schools responded to the questionnaire. Most of the respondents were female, aged between 26 and 40 years with 1 to 10 years of teaching experience. They were bachelor's and master's degree holders who were satisfied with their careers as teachers and who had access to or had acquired electronic equipment such as computers with internet access, external storage devices such Flash disks, digital cameras and cellular phones.Research findings revealed that digital visual technology was applied extensively in classroom teaching whereby teachers used digital teaching aids such as video clips, audio clips and still images in demonstrating curriculum concepts. Changchun secondary teachers managed to create integrated lessons for their classes with the use of computers, internet, scanner and digital teaching aids stored in devices. Due to accessibility to computers connected to projectors or TV in the classrooms, most of the teachers were able to present curriculum concepts easily with the use of digital teaching aids. The secret behind the success of Chinese teachers in the application of DVT was due to direct support from schools and government through skills training, the provision of digital equipment, the availability of DVDs and CDs with visual teaching aids and cooperation among teachers. However despite the successful there is still inadequate numbers of digital resources to accommodate all teachers, limited skill in how to compile digital teaching aids as well as editing curriculum material for classroom teaching.The teachers suggested that there was a need for greater access to their schools' digital library through website and storage devices, sufficient digital equipment for classrooms, school libraries and staffrooms and the provision of special skills in compiling teaching aids with curriculum concepts for lesson preparation and classroom presentation.