The Importance of Information and Communication Technology in English Learning: Indigenous Students' Perspectives

Abstract

The increasing dependence of people on technology nowadays is evident through the transformation of various sectors, placing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an enabler in enhancing human capabilities and participations as a member of society. Policymakers and educators agreed that ICT is a supreme factor in leveraging positive effects on the students' achievements at large. Although myriad of studies have focused on ICT integration in education of students from the rural communities, the ICT issues among indigenous students have been sidelined. This study intended to address this gap by focusing on the views of indigenous students on the importance of ICT in learning English. A total of 94 indigenous students from three districts in Pahang, Malaysia were involved in this study. A quantitative approach was employed where questionnaires were used as instruments to gauge the participants' views. The findings revealed that the indigenous students have low ICT competence but have positive attitude in the use of ICT in teaching and learning. The level of ICT use in classroom was found to be low and, surprisingly, most of them preferred to have Internet-related activities in learning English.