The use of digital technology facilities within the colleges of Jeddah university.

Abstract

Abstract The main purpose of this study was to investigate and address three interrelated objectives concerning the use of digital technology facilities within the colleges and departments at Jeddah University. The first objective is represented academic staff use of technology facilities while the second objective is to identify the factors affecting the use of facilities. The third objectives investigated the challenges facing the use of technology facilities. In order to achieve these objectives, quantitative research method represented in questionnaire was used. The study found that the majority of academic staff took part use the digital technology facilities (i.e. the internet) in their daily activities such as preparing teaching materials, presentation, blackboards and uploading curriculum. However, the results indicated that the majority of the staff do not use social media and social networks. In relation to challenges, the results indicated that more than half the academic staff prefer using traditional teaching methods rather than using than using technology facilities. It was also shown that the departments and colleges within Jeddah University do not offer any incentives that encourage the staff to use technology facilities. Interestingly, the study results found that female Saudi staff are doing much better than males in using technology facilities when the analysis has taken Saudi participants only. However, when this combined with other nationalities it was shown that males use technology facilities more than female counterparts. Moreover, the results indicated that non-Saudi staff are using technology facilities more than Saudi staff. Likewise, the study revealed that staff with a greater number of courses in computing and technology are more competent than those with less number of courses. This study recommends arrange workshops for academic staff on the importance of digital technology in learning and teaching which may encourage them to develop their skills in digital technology facilities. Jeddah University is required to strengthen the relationship between departments and colleges and IT and technical support department. More importantly, the university may encourage staff to use technology facilities through offering financial incentives.