الملخص الإنجليزي
The aim of this study is to present the reality of learning resource center's technology on enhancing learning in schools of North Sharqiya Governorate. The study sets up to investigate the availability of learning technology facilities in learning resource centers in schools being subjects of this study. Hence, it examines the frequency of using technology in learning and the trend to use it among faculty. Furthermore, it looks at how faculty utilize the learning technology to innovate their pedagogical practices. Finally, it highlights the major factors that affect the use of learning technology.
The instrument used was a questionnaire comprising 55 statements. They divided up into four sections; the availability of technology in the learning resource centers, the tendency to use it, the educational purposes achieved when technology is embedded and, finally, the factors affecting effective implementing of technology.
The study society was teachers of North Sharqiya Governorate which is 3049 divided in 56 schools. The participants, numbering 750, volunteered to answer the questionnaire distributed within a given time limit. They were, also, encouraged to be as accurate and frank as possible. A number of 523 questionnaire were submitted. After putting aside the biased ones which were 227, a number of 380,which is 12.2% of the population, was analyzed. SPSS issue no. 18 was used to process the data collected.
The findings show that the learning technology facilities in learning resource centers of schools of North Sharqiya Governorate are widely available and varied. Although participants show positive attitudes towards using the learning technology, the utilization of technology is quite insufficient and ineffective. The study summarizes the 'main constrains which militate against a sufficient and effective use of technology in the
extra administrational loads on faculty beside their already overloaded schedules which both keep them struggling to find the time to even think about technology. Also,
insufficient training and professional workshops on applying technology to support teaching aims make faculty hesitate each time they think of using technology. Moreover, the number of learners in class is big comparing to the devices available, relatively long curricula and insufficient class time are all hindering using learning technology sufficiently and effectively.
To conclude, the results of the study revealed that there is a need to develop the current use of learning technology in the learning resource centers of schools of North Sharqiya Governorate. Hence, there are steps to be taken such as intensive porgrammes for teachers on applying learning technology which can be extremely helpful for teachers to use technology more confidently. Alleviating the administrational loads is requested so teachers can focus more on teaching other than focusing on something else. Last but not least, learning resource centers specialists are very much encouraged to create and develop effective learning softwares which can support both learning and teaching practices.
