Use of Digital Technological Tools among Undergraduate English Language Learners in Pakistan

Maheen Tufail Dahraj,Hina Manzoor,Mahnoor Tufail

doi:10.5539/ijel.v10n4p61

Abstract

Technology has become an important source for enhancing the knowledge of the students. Apart from the non-academic purposes, the use of technology for the academic purposes also has greater impact on the process of learning specifically on tertiary education. Therefore, it has become essential for higher education institutions to focus on the available opportunities for integrating technology in the academic setting. The developing countries like Pakistan, however; are facing some major challenges in technology integration due to the unavailability of sufficient financial resources. Hence, this study explores the use of digital technological tools at undergraduate level in one of the public sector universities of Pakistan. The study also examines the impact of the medium of instruction and respective discipline of the tertiary level students on the use of technology. For this purpose, an online survey was conducted from 200 undergraduate students studying in four different disciplines in the university. The findings revealed that the majority of the students at the undergraduate level have accessibility to smartphones, laptops or desktop computers in the university but only a few students use these available technological tools for learning purposes. Smartphones were determined to be the most easily available technological tool while the students generally do not prefer carrying their laptops to the university. Besides this, the students also reported having limited technological knowledge and skills for the digital tools to be used for educational and learning purposes. However, a greater percentage of the students were willing to participate in training sessions for learning.

Highlights

1.1 Technology in Educational SettingTechnology is increasingly used in an educational environment and the technological practices and perceptions of students regarding technology in educational practices have been studied by many researchers
The findings of the study are stated concerning the use of digital technological tools by the undergraduate students for learning English language at the public sector university in Pakistan
After careful consideration of the technological tools in Pakistan, the major five tools that were included in the survey were smartphone, tablet, and availability of desktop computer at home or laptop, computers provided by the university in labs and libraries and bringing one’s own laptop to the university

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Technology in Educational SettingTechnology is increasingly used in an educational environment and the technological practices and perceptions of students regarding technology in educational practices have been studied by many researchers. According to Bolluyt (2014), Laptops and mobile phones were observed to be the most commonly used digital devices by the students at tertiary education and the tablets, were found with the widespread accessibility to technology in different settings. Incorporation of technology in classrooms is contributing to bring improvement in learning, ; there is still a necessity of searching for the best ways following which the technology can be utilised for improving the educational outcomes and experiences of the students (Dahlstrem & Bichsel, 2014). For making further decisions regarding the introduction of technology, higher authorities should provide the necessary support to the students as it is essential to consider the available technological practices and environment for learning purposes (Dahlstrem & Bichsel, 2014)

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Discussion

Conclusion