Evaluation of the use of ICT to support students’ learning and communication in a Saudi Arabian higher education institution : conflicts, contrasts and tensions in lecturers’ perspectives

Alabadi, Nora

Abstract

This thesis explores lecturers’ views on the main issues surrounding their use of information and communications technology (ICT) to support students’ learning and communication in Jeddah University. It also identifies lecturers’ pedagogical beliefs in terms of using ICT in the classroom and explores the factors that might influence their use of ICT to support students’ learning and communication.
A mixed-methods, two-phase research design, comprising a survey (n=160) of male and female lecturers and semi-structured interviews (n=16) with female lecturers only, was conducted. Using SPSS for the quantitative data, the results were analysed using thematic analysis.
The analysis of the collected data resulted in several findings indicating that there are tensions between lecturers’ views on using ICT and what they claim to practise in the classroom. These tensions demonstrate contrasts in lecturers’ views in relation to many factors that may hinder their integration of ICT. These tensions are presented in the context of internal factors, such as pedagogical beliefs, attitudes and ICT skills, and external factors, for example ineffective ICT integration policy, university culture, and a lack of technical support, training and resources.
The findings suggest that lecturers’ use of ICT to support students’ learning and communication faces a number of issues, such as tensions between the lecturers’ stated beliefs, practices, and the above-mentioned internal and external barriers. The study explores the main issues around lecturers’ use of ICT to support students’ communication in the light of a range of learning theories, as well as ICT acceptance models and the TPACK framework. Finally, the discussion leads to evaluating how facilitating lecturers’ use of ICT might be advantageous in moving towards a broadening of the pedagogical culture in Saudi Arabia.

Citation

Alabadi, N. Evaluation of the use of ICT to support students’ learning and communication in a Saudi Arabian higher education institution : conflicts, contrasts and tensions in lecturers’ perspectives. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4222810

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Feb 22, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Education
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4222810
• Additional Information: Department of Education Studies, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Nov 1, 2019