GULF TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY USE IN HIGHER EDUCATION K. Bunts-Anderson Zayed University (United Arab Emirates)

Pay it Forward (share your experience) If you are a Teacher please click here If you are a Student please click here Help develop a global understanding of technology use and learning by answering a brief survey below Help develop a global understanding of technology use and learning by answering a brief survey below

Today’s Agenda Technology Research The Technology Project Discussion of Gulf Teachers’ Perceptions Review of Student’s Perceptions Current Findings Pay it Forward (share your experience) Links to Helpful Technology Resources Disregarding teachers’ perceptions are ignoring a very crucial factor of technology integration… What teachers believe about technology not only shapes their use of technology, but ultimately shapes the learner’s experience (Gulbahar & Gulven, 2008).

Technology Research Differences in Time & Innovation A Gap in Technology Understanding Doubts that Technology Benefits Students’ Learning Sudden Surge of Technology Integration Globally

The Technology Project How it Started … 2 UAE teachers’ reflections on technology use and learning: Gulf Region Pilot Studies Student Perceptions: A case study of 2 classes at 2 UAE tertiary institutions (27) Zayed University & Higher Colleges of Technology Sharjah and Dubai, UAE Teacher Perceptions: A case study of 2 workshops held at 15 th Annual TESOL Arabia 2009 and the UAE Research Forum at Al Ain University (25)

The Technology Project Context of Present Study

From the Teacher’s Perspective What was said in the pilot studies …. Teachers reported a wide range of hours each week spent with computers at school On average participants reported more time (11 hours) using computers in their daily lives outside of work than at work (4hours). The context of classes (subject area, language ability) were considered important factors in the successful integration of technologies. The most useful tools reported were PowerPoint and Internet searches. Web links and were described as helpful, but a preference to using these as support tools for outside learning (homework and projects) was described..

From the Student’s Perspective “I feel that by using technology, we get motivation to learn. Technology makes learning fun …. “ (Gulf Student) We surveyed students and found out what technologies: Students Liked Students Disliked They Were using They Wanted to use For More information Please See Concurrent Paper & Power Point : THE SURGE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY USE BY FEMALE STUDENTS IN TWO GULF UNIVERSITIES K. Bunts-Anderson, M.A. Campo

From the Student’s Perspective Students surveyed reported technologies they are using now that could be useful learning devices… PSP Smart Phones PDA The popularity of these devices has also emerged in a current study of Female Tertiary Students at Zayed University. The students reported that the mobile technology they most frequently used in the classroom was SMS/Text.

Gulf Teachers’ Perceptions “ I have never considered it a learning tool” (Gulf Teacher, 2009) In oral discussions (workshops) teachers described themselves ‘learners’ … 100% described themselves as open minded to portable or mobile technologies use with students Benefits: “ Provides another option for contacting students” “It gives me clear organization for managing my time” Problems: “Don’t want to share my number with students” “ I don’t have an I-phone” On the Fence: “Seems to be of use- not the phone, but software like M2U…” (Gulf Teachers )

What mobile technologies, if any, would you like to use in the future? Describe how you would like to use it. أية تفنيات متحركة ترغب في استخدامها في المستقبل؟ كيف ستستخدمها؟ Students……Smartphone Electronic Pens EBooks Teachers……Smartphone Electronic Pens EBooks “..they get cheaper”, “…when the technology is perfected”, “ …become user friendly” Do you have any plans to use technologies in the future? If so, what technology and how do would you like to use it? هل لديك اية خطط لاستخدام التقنيات في المستقبل؟ وان كنت ستستخدم, فما هي التقنيات التي ستستخدمها, وكيف ستستخدمها؟ Teachers……I'd like to use e-books and make more use of mobile phone learning Anything and Everything that Facilitates Learning No. I almost feel the less the better. It just breeds dependence nurtures and the inability to function without it.

Sharing of Technologies PBWIKI Site: Learning ResourcesLearning Resources Links to Helpful Technology Resources

Pay it Forward (share your experience) If you are a Teacher please click here If you are a Student please click here Help develop a global understanding of technology use and learning by answering a brief survey below Help develop a global understanding of technology use and learning by answering a brief survey below

Thank you for visiting our presentation See helpful links to technologies shared by other teachers and students Click here: s.com/TechnologiesTeachNlearn s.com/TechnologiesTeachNlearn