An assessment of the factors that influence the use of digital technologies in teaching: A case study

Abstract

In the last decade we have a great development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). As a result, educational institutions are increasingly incorporating these digital technologies into the teaching and learning process. Governments are making major investments to increase ICTs infrastructure in educational institutions and to train teachers to use these technologies in the teaching process. In this paper the main objectives of this study were to analyze ICTs availability and use by students and by their teachers, their knowledge of different computer applications as well as their opinion about ICT use in learning. The study was conducted in the Korça region, located in the southeastern part of Albania. We will begin with a quick look at the level of access to digital technologies. Next we will study the use, knowledge and behavior of teachers and students towards digital technology and how these factors correlate with each other. The main focus will be on students as well as their perceptions about ICTs. This will be done by examining how much students know, use and how motivated they are to use digital technology. Questionnaires for teachers and students will be examined separately for each high school to see how these factors relate to and affect each other. At the end we will draw conclusions and make recommendations on how to maximize access and use of digital technologies by students in high schools.