Digitalization at School through a Sociology of Engagements Lens

Portugal is currently undergoing a turbulent phase in its educational sector, characterized by widespread dissatisfaction among educators concerning their working conditions and barriers to career progression. Moreover, the public education system is facing a mounting shortage of teachers. The pandemic and its aftermath have notably exacerbated the situation, both directly and indirectly. It has swiftly accelerated ongoing transformations in working conditions, leading to a surge in the daily workload for teachers and an intrusion into their personal time and privacy. Additionally, numerous teachers were compelled to undertake supplementary duties in light of the absence of their colleagues.

In accordance with a pragmatic sociological standpoint, we explore the daily obstacles intrinsic to the teaching profession, which have been notably exacerbated by the pandemic, as the primary factors contributing to teacher fatigue. These obstacles encompass challenges in engaging students' attention and fostering their interest, a blurring of the boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal life, and a sense of being hindered by administrative oversight in fulfilling their duties optimally. This perspective transcends the prevailing academic literature, which predominantly concentrates on issues of teacher motivation and vocation (OECD, 2020).

Consequently, it is crucial to identify the circumstances and factors that mobilize educators, emphasizing the dynamic nature of teacher engagement and disengagement. It is suggested that disengagement following a period of high engagement can be attributed to "work-related obstacles" or even a response to insufficient recognition of teaching efforts. In this particular context, an action-research project, predominantly of a qualitative nature, has been undertaking, grounded in both direct observation and in-depth interviews with teachers from high schools in the Metropolitan Lisbon Area. One of its aims was to delve into and evaluate the implications of digitalization on the labor and identity of these professionals.