Technology Adoption and Integration: A Descriptive Study of a Higher Education Institution in a Developing Nation

New electronic technologies like computers and the Internet continue to spread to all parts of the world. Developing nations like Malawi have experienced this thrust in the area of electronic technologies. Mzuzu University, a relatively new university in the Malawian education system has made tremendous efforts in providing computers and the internet to faculty members of the University. It was however not clear if such efforts had resulted in corresponding application and integration of the technologies in teaching and learning. This study ventured to investigate prevailing levels of utilization of the computer technology and the Internet in teaching and learning at the university and uncover factors that facilitate or hinder use and integration of the technologies in teaching and learning. Results of the study revealed that while most faculty members actively engaged with electronic technologies, such engagements often excluded instructional use. Where electronic technologies have been used for instructional purposes, it has been mainly for accessing information for teaching. Factors that affect utilization and integration of electronic technologies comprise limited availability of the technologies; unreliability of the available technologies due to related issues like power outages and poor reception; lack of training; lack of technical, pedagogical and administrative support; and lack of faculty involvement in decision making relating to electronic technologies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Curriculum and Instruction

Department dc:contributor.department

Teaching and Learning

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Nyirongo, Nertha Kate

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Lockee, Barbara B.

• Diffusion and adoption of innovations
• Instructional technology
• electronic technologies for teaching and learning
• Adoption and Integration of electronic technologies

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-04132009-095508

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/26827