Usage Of Digital Technologies Research Articles

IMPACT OF E-COMMERCE ON INTERCULTURAL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION

Digitalization of business in combination with cultural diversity has created a new space and conditions where communication becomes a challenge. The purpose of the article is to identify intercultural aspects of communication in the context of digital business development. It is established that cultural sensitivity in business involves, on one hand, the formation of respect for legal and moral norms specific to a particular community, and on the other hand, enhances the operational efficiency of the company. It is argued that cultural factors influence decision-making in international business, and awareness and knowledge of cultural differences enhance the competitiveness of the company. It is postulated that the intercultural competencies of managers should be viewed in terms of their new functions and socio-professional roles in transnational organizations and through the lens of their cultural intelligence, which facilitates adaptation to new cultural realities and cultural freedom—a set of necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities for a manager in an international and even global dimension. The top 10 countries in the Digital Technology Usage Index (NRI) reveal three trends: they belong to high-income countries, demonstrate reliable network readiness in all dimensions, and European countries continue to dominate the list. These trends persisted in the 2023 ranking. The challenges hindering the development of digital trends and the transformation of the Ukrainian economy into a digital one are substantiated. Two scenarios for the development of digital business in Ukraine are identified depending on the assessment of the criticality and necessity of changes in the traditional economic structure: the inertial (evolutionary) and the targeted (forced). In the case of implementing the inertial scenario, the Ukrainian economy will remain inefficient, labor migration will continue, and Ukrainian products will be non-competitive in external markets. The targeted scenario envisions the transition of the Ukrainian economy to a digital one within 3-5 years. The result will be the emergence of new norms, standards, and value systems. The internationalization of management changes the traditional model of management communications.

An Integration of 3D Design in Malaysia Digital Tourism

With multiple projects aimed at boosting visitor experiences and advertising the country as a top vacation destination, the usage of digital technology in the travel and tourism sectors has been expanding quickly in Malaysia. Bringing 3D design into digital tourism is one such attempt that offers an immersive and interactive style to highlight Malaysia's tourist attractions. Despite the advantages, 3D design is mostly used in popular tourist destinations and major cities in Malaysia for digital tourism. This study analyses the use of 3D design in Malaysian digital tourism and its potential to increase tourist numbers, particularly in less well-known countryside destinations. This study will find comparable themes and patterns regarding the application of 3D design in digital tourism in various Malaysian regions using a case study approach. The expected results of this research include improving traveler and tourist experiences, archiving 3D designs for use in future research, and inviting more travelers and tourists to Malaysia, which would boost the country's tourism benefits.

A technostress–entrepreneurship nexus in the developing world

Research indicates that entrepreneurs are relying on digital technology for their entrepreneurial endeavours, yet there is little knowledge on how to balance technology usage and wellbeing. Drawing on the concept of technostress and 643 observations of nascent South African entrepreneurs’ interactions with digital technology, we advance knowledge at the technostress–entrepreneurship nexus. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) results reveal how digital self-efficacy moderates their behaviour and inability to balance digital technology usage with wellbeing. These results confirm entrepreneurship passion and perceived behavioural control as predictors of technostress amongst these entrepreneurs. They also suggest that the benefits of digital technology are not a predictor of technostress in African entrepreneurship; thus, extending a conceptual overlay of digital technology, digital self-efficacy, entrepreneurial passion (EP), and behaviour to define the mechanisms underlying a technostress–entrepreneurship nexus. The results show social, policy, and research implications in today’s technology-driven environments characterised by a mixture of midrange to complete digital transformations.

Utilization of Digital Technologies in Doctoral Thesis Supervision at the University of Nairobi: Implications for Quality Assurance

The utilization of online digital technologies in higher education teaching and learning has gained impetus in the post-COVID-19 era. A number of higher educational institutions have invested in capacity-building programmes related to the utilization of online digital technologies for teaching and learning. However, the utilization of these technologies in doctoral supervision is hampered by challenges related to access to digital devices, internet connectivity and the general attitude among digital technology users. Furthermore, despite supervisors’ efforts to reinforce mentoring, the lack of in-person engagement between supervisors and students portends a greater challenge. Therefore, the study sought to determine the influence of doctoral students’ gender on their thesis progression, the relationship between the frequency of engaging supervisors and thesis progression, the preferred mode of supervisor engagement and the level of student utilization of digital technologies in their doctoral work. The study sampled 109 students from a population of 150 PhD students of the University of Nairobi. Data were gathered through questionnaires and interviews that were administered to doctoral students and their supervisors respectively. The results showed a weak negative correlation between student and supervisor engagement and their stage in theses writing. The study also established low utilization of digital technologies in doctoral thesis supervision. Nonetheless, the results showed that student-supervisor engagement has an impact on their progression and that a significant number of doctoral students were comfortable with engaging their supervisors through a combination of face-to-face/in-person and virtual/online sessions. The study recommends that universities should adopt a blended doctoral supervision model to leverage the strengths of both in-person and virtual student-supervisor engagement. Further, there is a need to train both students and supervisors in the use of digital tools to enhance their engagement

Optimisation of Students’ Interdisciplinary English-Language Training Amid Modern Digital Transformations (on the Material of Legal Discourse)

The article highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary training for professionally-directed English-language interaction of students studying law and artificial intelligence technologies at the Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL) and Bauman Moscow State Technical University (National Research University). The importance of digital technologies usage to optimize the process of learning English with the significant role of the teacher — peer educator and conveyor of knowledge, capable of considering the regulatory documents governing relationships in the digital environment, is indicated. The studied English-language discourse is actualised based on the necessity to widen students’ lexical and grammatical knowledge, to develop their socio-perceptual skills. The need for modeling situations of real international cooperation for practical consolidation of the studied material is revealed. The shortage of classroom academic hours for the students’ comprehensive preparation for the forthcoming professional activity in English is established, which is partially compensated by the outlined in the article extracurricular activities. The author concludes that the indicators of the quality of students’ training in an interdisciplinary context are their skills in linguistically meaningful construction of the English-language discourse, adaptation to the constantly changing international situation, socio-perceptual skills, cognitive use of digital technologies, knowledge of culture and psychology of the professionally-directed English-language interaction.

Цифровизация нотариата как фактор создания единого нотариального пространства в Евразийском экономическом союзе

The article discusses the need to create a Unified Notary Information System in the Eurasian Economic Union, which will allow advancement to a higher level of economic cooperation, lead to more effective development of civil legal relations, and allow for electronic exchange of information and documents. The procedure for reg-istration and execution of notarial acts has been studied; the amount of information to be recorded, as well as methods for recording it. A comparative analysis of the legislation of the member states of the Eurasian Eco-nomic Union regulating notarial activities was carried out. The procedure and method of collecting information, the level of security of documents, and the possibility of conducting verification activities to determine the au-thenticity of the submitted documents are considered. The subject of comparison is the degree of use of digital technologies within the framework of the electronic exchange of information and documents between partici-pants in civil transactions (notaries, citizens, legal entities). Attention is focused on analyzing the degree of im-plementation of digital technologies within the framework of storing notarial documents. The capabilities of notaries to provide notarial services are considered, including the ability to collect information necessary to per-form a notarial act, and information necessary to formalize inheritance rights. The powers of notaries in the framework of interaction with state registers have been studied, including the powers to carry out verification actions in relation to applicants, register rights to movable and immovable property, to introduce encumbrances on movable and immovable property, as well as to make changes to the information contained in state regis-ters. The subject of comparison was the degree of digital technology usage in the process of storage of notarial documents, as well as in the framework of electronic exchange of information between participants of civil turnover (notaries, individuals and legal entities). Prospects for further research in this area are defined.

“Vanity fair on Instagram”: The roles of vanity, materialism, social comparison, Instagram usage intensity, and market mavenism in social commerce

The present article is an attempt to offer insights into interconnections among consumer personality, individual difference factors, Instagram usage behavior, and luxury fashion brand attitude in contemporary Web 2.0 technological environments. To this end, the study particularly focused on Instagram, a highly visual social media platform, mostly used in the form of a mobile app. Instagram fits the purpose of consumers’ vanity. Personality mechanisms, known to produce effects of personality traits on digital technology usage behaviors, that shape consumer behavior in the context of Instagram usage and luxury fashion brand consumption were examined. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among actual Instagram users recruited from M-Turk Prime Panel. A series of structural equation models (SEM) were estimated using Mplus 8. Two structural equation models are estimated: one with objective Instagram usage frequency, and the other with subjective Instagram usage intensity. Results show dynamic associations among Instagram users’ personality variables, individual difference factors, Instagram usage frequency/intensity, and luxury brand involvement. In light of the power of Instagram in luxury fashion branding, the current study proposes a variety of personality mechanisms and individual difference factors (vanity, materialism, social comparison orientation, obsessive-compulsive/impulsive buying tendency, and market mavenism) that shape Instagram users’ attitude toward and involvement with luxury fashion brands in Web 2.0 social commerce.

Digitalization Impact on Sustainable Firm Performance of Small, Medium, and Large Businesses

Currently, the world is presented with sophistication in the field of technology, including company management. A superior company is an organization that can optimize all aspects. Speaking of existence, one of the essential pillars that support company sustainability is technology adoption. Referring to this premise, this study is structured to elaborate on the elements that determine firm performance (FP). These elements are designed into three factors: (1) digital technology usage/DTU, (2) digital transformation strategy/DTS, and (3) organizational agility/OA. This study concentrated on 159 samples compiled from small, medium, and large-scale businesses. Nonprobability sampling and purposive sampling data were extracted via PLS-SEM. Quantitative findings revealed that DTU has positive implications for DTS, OA, and FP. Empirical studies prove that DTS and OA also have a positive impact on FP. The current empirical research concludes that the increase in digital technology usage further develops digital transformation strategy, organizational agility, and firm performance. Improvements in digital transformation strategy or organizational agility can improve firm performance. Policy implications open up space for managerial actors to prioritize more complex ideas, solutions, and alternatives in strengthening mastery of the technology.

Bridging the Access Gap: A Decade of Narrowing the Digital Divide for Hispanic Older Adults in the United States.

Objectives: This study examines the digital divide between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White older adults in the United States from 2011 to 2021, using an intersectionality perspective. Methods: Eleven waves of data from the National Health and Aging Trend were analyzed through multilevel logistic regression, focusing on the intersection between race/ethnicity and time (measured by survey waves) within gender, education, and income subgroups. The digital divide was measured by Internet access. Results: Despite the enduring digital access gap, the longitudinal analysis revealed a narrowing digital divide between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White older adults, especially those with low education and income. Discussion: The observed trend signifies progress in digital inclusivity initiatives yet highlights ongoing challenges in fully bridging the divide for the Hispanic older adult community. Future efforts should not only focus on access but also on enhancing the effective usage of digital technologies to promote health equity and well-being.

Built environment professionals’ perspective on digital technology skills

PurposeThis study aims to explore the opinions of Built Environment Professionals (BEP) on the usage of fourth-generation digital technologies in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a qualitative research approach and conducts semi-structured interviews with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) professionals to explore the adoption and utilisation of fourth-generation digital technologies in the construction industry. The semi-structured interviews allowed the participants to elaborate on their experiences, and thematic analysis was employed to identify and analyse significant themes related to the topic.FindingsAccounts from BAME construction professionals reveal that the increased popularity of fourth-generation digital technologies, also known as Industry 4.0 technologies, does not necessarily result in increased usage. This is because many of these new technologies have not been embraced and are unpopular in certain circles. A more significant revelation is the impact of BAME community settings on determining the career pathways of most individuals, which often do not support the construction or digital technology pathways within the construction industry.Research limitations/implicationsResearch targeting ethnic minorities may not necessarily yield a large response due to the sensitivity of the issues raised. However, conducting a nationwide research with a larger sample size drawn from various locations in the UK could achieve more robust findings and uncover additional issues. Meanwhile, the results of this research can serve as a framework for more extensive investigations.Practical implicationsThe research offers valuable recommendations to industry and academia regarding the need to address the specific challenges faced by the BAME community in terms of digital technology adoption. These issues are often overlooked in most discussions about digital technology.Originality/valueThe study provides critical recommendations that are relevant to Further and Higher Education (HE) institutions, industries, construction organisations, government bodies, etc. Recommendations include a call for collaboration between educational institutions, industry partners and local communities to facilitate awareness and orientation programmes within the community.

An exploration of the post-pandemic profiles and predictors of children’s digital literacy and multimodal practices in Canada

ABSTRACT With children’s digital technology usage surging in post-pandemic Canada, it is imperative to understand children’s digital literacy and multimodal practices. This study investigated potential predictors of children’s digital literacy and multimodal practices at home, and the latent profiles of digital families. A sample of 413 parents of children aged 0–8 was recruited online and from daycare centres in Central Ontario to examine children’s home digital environments, digital literacy, and multimodal practices. The findings indicated that (1) child age, home digital resources, and parent’s beliefs regarding child digital technology use predicted increased digital literacy and multimodal practices. (2) Three profiles of digital families were identified: low-digital families (36.9%), moderate-digital families (51.2%), and high-digital families (11.9%). Our research sheds light on the digital landscape of Canadian families with young children and suggests financial status may not be the primary factor in identifying children who can benefit from initiatives supporting digital literacy.

Development of an Extraction Column using Machine Learning for the Prediction of Feed and Solvent to Obtain the Desired Extraction

The phrase "Industry 4.0" describes the fourth industrial revolution, which is characterized by the usage of digital technology to improve automation, connectivity, and efficiency across various industrial processes. The optimal column designs, suitable solvent selection, and extraction yield prediction are all aided by artificial intelligence (AI). Integration of AI technology with extraction columns is a significant step forward for industrial processes, bringing in a new era of intelligent systems that drive previously unheard-of increases in quality, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The choice of acetone and water as the input solvents and Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK) as the extracting solvent results in an ideal configuration for the machine-learning design of an extraction column. With acetone's enhanced solubility and miscibility properties and water's versatility as a solvent, the two work well together. The extraction column was created using Python and concepts and methods based on chemical properties as well as machine learning. The intended extraction column may be implemented with the help of the Python code that is supplied. Based on parameters entered by the user, including extract temperature, raffinate temperature, extract mass flow rate, and extract temperature, it forecasts the temperatures and mass flow rates of acetone and water. By considering the properties of mass flow rates and temperatures, the projections ensure physical feasibility. Utilizing controlled data for training, the model applies a linear regression approach. The findings include the mass flow rate of acetone, the temperature of the water, and the water mass flow rate. The integration of state-of-the-art machine-learning techniques and Industry 4.0 is made possible in this work. This holds the promise of increased process optimization and efficiency in chemical extraction processes.

'DIGITAL MINIMALISM' - A STUDY TO FIND OUT WAYS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND MINIMISE ITS ILL-EFFECTS

Digitalisation can be understood as the usage of digital technologies by governments, businesses and in social processes with the objective of improving them. The story of digitalisation begins with the invention of Internet, which at first was an academic research project (1969), turning into a global commercial network in the 1990s. After the invention of Internet, many advanced digital technologies have been developed and many more are continually being developed. Now we have smartphones, smartwatches, advanced computers, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IOT) and many more advanced digital technologies. Today, almost every sector has adopted digital technologies, be it media, healthcare, defence, entertainment, commerce and industry, education, or anything else. Such is the penetration of digital technologies in our daily life that the present age is called 'Digital Age'.At present whole world is witnessing digital transformation. COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed the digitalisation of the world. Digitalisation has eased our life a lot. Now we can book our travel tickets online, we can consult doctors online; e-shopping, online education and many more things can be done digitally. But together with opportunities, digitalisation has brought with itself innumerable risks which are also to be minimised. Melvin kranzberg considers technology to be neither good, nor bad, but also not neutral.There has been a dramatic increase in the use of internet, computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices over recent decades, and this has brought with itself not only benefits but also harms. Excessive digital use leads to health issues (both physical and mental), cyberbullying, privacy issues, cyberfrauds, cyberhacking etc.This research paper thus explores the concept of 'Digital Minimalism', a philosophy of using digital technologies for meaningful purposes rather than for mere entertainment or idle time. The paper also tries to find out ways to minimise the ill-effects of excessive and improper usage of digital technologies. Digitalisation is not only bringing benefits to our societies but also harms, thus through this paper the researcher aims to make the users of digital technologies use them wisely so that it does not harm their daily lives rather it benefits them. For this the researcher reviewed several books, research papers, articles, news, reports, and other related literature. He also utilised survey methods to get an idea about how people use digital technologies. He shared a Google form and got 103 responses. The data and charts generated in the form were used for data analysis.At the end of this paper the researcher found that it is very easy to practice 'Digital Minimalism' and make the best use of digital technologies.

Empowering Students Through Digital Literacy: A Case Study of Successful Integration in a Higher Education Curriculum

This study investigates the integration of digital literacy into higher education curricula, focusing on its impact at Online Women University. The introduction delineates the importance of digital literacy in preparing students for success in the digital era. The purpose of the study is to explore the implications of digital literacy integration, encompassing student perceptions, experiences, and technology usage patterns. Methodologically, a cross-sectional research design was employed, with data collected from 150 participants, including students and lecturers, using convenience sampling. Surveys were administered to capture insights into digital literacy, technology usage, and educational experiences. Both descriptive and inferential analyses, including frequencies, percentages, ANOVA, chi-square tests, and regression analysis, were conducted to discern relationships and patterns. Results indicate varying levels of digital literacy integration across faculties, with notable differences in technology usage and perceived empowerment through digital literacy. Notably, the mean score for post-test digital literacy skills increased significantly compared to pre-test scores. The study also reveals high confidence levels in using digital tools for academic purposes among students, influenced by factors such as experience and training. In conclusion, the findings underscore the importance of integrating digital literacy into higher education curricula. They highlight the need for ongoing support and training to enhance digital literacy skills among students and educators. Despite limitations such as convenience sampling, the study contributes valuable insights into the role of digital literacy in academia, emphasizing its significance in preparing students for the digital challenges of the future.

Mitigation of attack detection via multi-stage cyber intelligence technique in smart grid

A smart grid is an electrical system that uses electronic communications to support two distinct data and electricity flows. This makes it possible for the system to recognize, react to, and resolve various problems. Power users of digital technology can take an active role and have the ability to cure themselves. Cybercrimes affecting the security of the smart grid include the compromise of vital client data by attackers, the spread of viruses, cybersecurity mistakes, and vulnerabilities in distributed systems. In order to identify the multi-stage cyberattacks that pose a threat to the smart grid, a novel Multi-Stage Cyber Intelligence (MSCI) technique has been developed in this work. A signal is generated by an intrusion detection system (IDS) sensor and passed through a Chebyshev filter for preprocessing in order to minimize its noise level. The risk will be identified by the security identification block, which also includes risk assessment, risk estimation, and risk identification. The Risk Identification Block finds the risk by gaining access to the Cyber Information Database. If the risk is not found, it is transmitted to the BI-LSTM Network, which verifies if it is an attack. A MATLAB simulator is used to implement the proposed approach. Evaluation criteria like Precision, F1 Score, Specificity, Accuracy, and Detective Rate have been used to assess the effectiveness of the Multi-Stage Cyber Intelligence (MSCI) technique approach that has been provided. The experimental results show that the suggested MSCI strategy has a 99% success rate, which is comparatively high when compared to the current approaches of 9.09%, 22.22%, and 47.47% for the CDS, AD-IOT, and SVM techniques, respectively.

THE EXPANDED DIGITAL MEDIA EMPOWERMENT ON SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL SETTING

Background: Digital media empowerment by ensuring equitable access to digital technologies and safeguarding against digital divide issues. Legal measures also ensure that digital platforms are not misused for spreading misinformation or engaging in unlawful activities. This study expanded the digital media empowerment construct for Jakarta's senior high school students to eight dimensions, blending awareness, motivation, technical access, empowerment, and gratification dimension with three dimensions of social contract utilitarianism, egalitarianism, and real equality of opportunity.
 
 Method: This study applied an explanatory quantitative approach and conducted a survey. Six hundred respondents were online surveyed and analyzed to confirm the integration of eight dimensions of digital media empowerment. Eight dimensions were validated by Person’s correlation of validity and assessed by Cronbach’s Alpha of reliability. The integrated dimension was tested as a hypothesis by Confirmatory Factor Analysis by showing the value of Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling and Barlett’s Test of Sphericity.
 
 Results: The result of validity, reliability, and confirmatory factor analysis proved the integration of eight dimensions of digital media empowerment. The results highlighted a significant correlation among all eight dimensions with the digital media empowerment construct. The gratifications dimension is the most dominant dimension of digital media empowerment from students’ perspectives on digital technology usage.
 
 Conclusion: The integration offers a more holistic understanding of justice distribution in the secondary educational setting. It underscores the importance of considering both technological and ethical-social factors in shaping students' digital experiences and competencies, paving the way for more targeted and sustainable educational development in the digital era.

Open innovation in a smart city context: the case of Sejong smart city initiative

Open innovation in a smart city context: the case of Sejong smart city initiative

Determining Digitalization Issues (ICT Adoption, Digital Literacy, and the Digital Divide) in Rural Areas by Using Sample Surveys: The Case of Armenia

Digital technologies have penetrated all spheres of human life, becoming an integral element of sustainable development, and rural areas and agriculture are no exception. However, the processes of digital transformation possess certain challenges. Among them are ICT penetration, digital literacy of society, and the digital divide. This article aims to evaluate the digital penetration and the digital divide in rural areas of Armenia and identify and propose directions for improvement. For that purpose, a sample survey was conducted among rural households. The questionnaires included questions aimed at assessing digital literacy, as well as the level of ICT penetration and use. In addition, the Digital Devices and Technologies Usage Index (DTUI) was composed and calculated. The comparison of DTUI values revealed that being distant from the capital Yerevan can negatively impact ICT usage and digital penetration. It was revealed that households with higher incomes tend to use more ICT, which can indicate a possible positive relationship between DTUI and can be further studied by integrating econometric regression analysis. To facilitate and accelerate the processes of digital penetration and ICT use in rural areas of Armenia, relevant proposals were presented in the scope of the article. The results of this article can be useful for policymakers and the results part can be relevant for wider audiences. In particular, the recommendations presented in the article can be used by the RA Government as practical state support measures aimed at the promotion of digitalization in rural areas. Further research can include the digitalization issues in urban areas and provide insights into the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

APPLICATION OF THE MOODLE LEARNING PLATFORM IN TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The topic of using the Moodle learning platform in teaching foreign languages has become increasingly important in the context of the development of digital technologies in education and their integration into the learning process. The issue of teaching a foreign language lies in the effectiveness of learning activities by using verbal and non-verbal means of communication. The article aims to analyze the advantages and quality of using the Moodle learning platform for teaching a foreign language and the possibility of its further development in a dynamic educational environment. The research methodology is based on a critical analysis, evaluation of statistical information on using the digital learning platform, as well as the introduction of various deductive research methods on the prospects for further development. The paper analyzes theoretical approaches to foreign language teaching. The authors carried out a statistical analysis of the platform's global development and possible prospects for its further expansion. In addition, they outlined the factors of usage and spread of digital technologies as a plug-in for learning a foreign language. The study revealed the main benefits of using the Moodle digital learning platform as an interactive tool for teaching a foreign language. It also suggested key aspects of its improvement and possible ways of further development. The article focused on the issues of using digital platforms for remote communication between students and teachers to maintain the effectiveness of the educational process and the possibility of further improvement by introducing this platform into the educational process. The obtained research findings describe the current state of the platform's use along with its technological capabilities and advantages for teaching foreign languages.

Exploring Digital Technology Usage among English Language Instructors at a Saudi Higher Education Institution and Validating a Hierarchical Structure of Usage Based on the SAMR Model

This study examined the usage of digital technology among English language instructors at a public university in Saudi Arabia as perceived by their students and tested the notion that such usage could be ranked in hierarchical levels. The SAMR model, developed by Puentedura (2014), was employed to categorise and rank technology usage into four incremental levels, i.e., Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition, with Substitution being the most rudimentary level and Redefinition being the highest and most sophisticated usage. A 32-item questionnaire rated on a 5-point Likert scale measuring how frequently English language instructors used technology at the four SAMR levels was developed by the authors, content-validated by six instructional technology experts and pilot-tested with 63 students prior to its use in the actual survey. Data were gathered from a survey sample of 535 Saudi learners studying English in their foundation year programme and analysed using three statistical procedures, i.e., descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The descriptive results pointed to instructors' technology usage revolving around the Substitution level of the SAMR model, indicating a predominant tendency among instructors to merely replace traditional teaching tools with digital alternatives. The EFA procedure (via Principal Axis Factoring with Promax rotation) produced conflicting results. While the extracted factor structure supported only two levels of usage, the scree plot suggested the existence of four usage levels consistent with the SAMR model. This was addressed by the subsequent CFA procedure performed on the data that confirmed the four SAMR levels, with the fit statistics indicating a good-fitting technology usage model; χ2(98) = 268.73; χ2/df = 2.74; CFI = .94; RMSEA = .078, CI: .067, .090. Sixteen out of the 32 technology usage items were successfully extracted and confirmed as the indicators SAMR’s four levels. The results corroborated previous findings that technology utilisation among English instructors is pervasive but rudimentary. They also supported the theoretical notion that technology usage can be categorised, ranked, and understood in hierarchical levels as purported by the SAMR model.