Educational technology and motivation in Spanish language students in the United States
Keywords:
Educational technology, motivation, teaching Spanish, globalization, pedagogical innovationAbstract
This study analyzes the influence of educational technology on the motivation of seventh-grade students learning Spanish as a foreign language in a school in North Carolina, USA. Learning Spanish has become increasingly important in a globalized context. In general, second language proficiency has expanded due to the growth of the Spanish-speaking population in the United States. Along with the use of digital tools in educational processes, these represent essential competencies for intercultural communication in a society constantly changing and transforming its educational models. The research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative and qualitative, combining surveys, observations, and field notes to understand the relationship between the use of digital resources and student motivation. The results show that the incorporation of educational technologies, such as interactive platforms, gamification strategies, and virtual classrooms, fosters greater participation, interest, and autonomy in the language learning process, as well as enriching the development of linguistic skills. In conclusion, it is important to strengthen teacher training in the pedagogical use of technology, promoting innovative and inclusive learning environments adapted to the needs of the current educational context for teaching and learning Spanish as a foreign language.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Marcela Irene Puentes-Bravo, Antonio Rafael Fernández-Paradas
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