Assessing English Language Instructors’ Knowledge and Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) In Taif University Campuses (TUCs)

Abstract

The success of the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into the teaching and learning of English language depends largely on the level of knowledge of ICT possessed by the instructors and actual utilization of these in the classroom. The study therefore assessed Taif University (TU) English Language instructors’ knowledge and use of ICT in English Language classrooms. Attempt was made to provide answers to these four research questions using survey research design: (1) What is the level of knowledge of English language instructor about ICT? (2) Are ICT facilities available in Taif University Campuses (TUCs) for the teaching and learning of English? (3) Do English language instructors use ICT in English? (4) Is there any significant difference in the knowledge of ICT between male and female English language instructors?

The participants were 94 English Language instructors from 4 university campuses in and around Taif City. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect pertinent data which were analyzed using frequency counts, simple percentage and t-test. Findings revealed that the level of knowledge of ICT possessed by English Language instructors was poor and as such, they rarely use ICT in English Language instruction. It was also found that there was significant difference in the male and female instructors’ knowledge of ICT with the males demonstrating a higher level of knowledge than their female counterparts. Based on these findings, it is recommended, among others, that English language instructors must attend periodic seminars, workshops and in-service trainings to equip them with knowledge of ICT and its utilization in classroom instruction while instructor education programs in tertiary establishments must be reviewed to incorporate ICT-assisted instruction.

Keywords: language assessment, English language teaching, information technology, and language communication