Investigating English Teachers' Perception of Using Digital Media in Teaching Islamic Reading Text

Abstract

In the current digital era, the integration of technology into education is becoming increasingly important, especially in the teaching of language and culture. This study investigated English teachers' perceptions of using digital media in teaching Islamic narrative reading texts. Employing a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six English teachers from diverse educational settings, including both public and Islamic schools in Palembang. The data obtained were analyzed by using thematic analysis. It was found that the majority of teachers have a positive view of the use of digital media. They believe that digital media can enhance student engagement and motivation. Digital media enables a deeper learning experience through enhanced visualization, simulations, and access to diverse resources, which can help students better understand the content of Islamic narrative reading texts. However, challenges such as technological infrastructure limitations and the need for adequate teacher training were also identified in this study. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that school authorities and education policymakers provide greater support in the form of technology training and improvement of technology facilities in schools.