Influencing Factors for Adopting Technology Enhanced Learning in the Medical Schools of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

As the successful establishment of technology supported educational systems requires wide investment in terms of finances and faculty time, this study explores the influencing factors in the adoption of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and the main barriers encountered during the use of TEL in Punjab, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical educators and thematic analysis was carried out using Nvivo-10. The study participants were well aware of educational technologies and stated that the influencing factors for adoption of TEL were self-effort, motivation, a personal positive approach and departmental policy. The institutions were well equipped with resources but the main problem was the lack of faculty training and institutional support. The study concludes that pedagogy is the main driver for the use of educational technologies. At the national level, it is suggested that governing bodies can provide definite polices and guidelines for the implementation of TEL. Therefore, it is advocated that recognizing online courses can enhance potential learners' interest to enroll for e-learning programmes. At the institutional level, it is proposed to encourage the establishment of institutional policies and the organization of workshops for faculty training. At an individual level, it is stressed that there is a basic requirement to develop a technology-oriented culture partly by sharing the power and expertise among the department heads and faculty members.