Lecturer Perspectives on ICT
Uptake in Language Teaching in
Vietnam: Current Practice,
Barriers and Suggestions
Dang Xuan Thua,b & Ngo Van Giangb
aLa Trobe University bHanoi University
Outline
Introduction
Research methods
Findings Current practice of ICT use
Barriers to ICT integration
Suggestions
Q&A
Introduction
ICT
Computer-assisted language learning (CALL)
Internet + useful websites
Generic software, e.g.
MS Office
ICT definition
ICT in Vietnams education
Education = top priority
ICT = transform education quality
Target - by 2015, 80% of school
teacher + 100% uni teachers will
use ICT in teaching
School year 2008-2009 = year
of ICT in education.
Hanoi University (HANU) Founded
in 1959
14 language & 3 non-language depts,
7 centres
Public university
Language labs
Computer labs
Lecture theatres
Library
Facilities
Computers
Internet connection
Facilities
Research questions
What is the current use of ICT in language teaching at HANU?
ICT use
What are major barriers to ICT use in language teaching at HANU?
ICT barriers
Research methods
SURVEY
(N =222 lang. lecturers)
INTERVIEWS
(N=43)
Female Male Missing
info Leadership ICT staff
Lang.
lecturers
176
(~80%)
43
(~20%) 3
18
(~41%)
2
(~6%)
23
(~53%)
Mixed methods approach
Theoretical framework
The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology:
toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425-478
Findings Current ICT Use
Findings Current ICT Use
Major ICT Barriers
Institutional level * Lack of ICT guideline
* Lack of support
* Technical problems
Lecturer level * Limited access
* Lack of ICT training
* Heavy workloads
ICT Barriers Institutional level
Lack of ICT guideline
82.5
81.6
81 81.2 81.4 81.6 81.8 82 82.2 82.4 82.6
The official ICT guideline has not been
well disseminated to all staff in HANU.
HANU has no official document guiding
the use of ICT in teaching and learning.
Percentage of Agree & Agree a little
Well, I have no idea whether we have that [ICT guideline] or not. I really
dont know, but I cannot confirm that there is no such a document. It is I who
have never seen or read that document. (Interviewee, ID 03)
ICT Barriers Institutional level
Lack of specific support
59.2
48.2
0 20 40 60 80
I do not receive strong support for ICT
use from HANU leaders.
I do not receive strong support for ICT
use from the leaders of my
Department/Centre.
Percentage of Agree & Agree a little
We only receive unofficial praise or our students pass on good words to
others, thats all. Perhaps we dont receive any material incentives
(Interviewee, ID22)
ICT Barriers Institutional level Technical problems
85.1
84.3
80.6
79.3
68.3
0 20 40 60 80 100
The speed of Internet connection at HANU
discourages teachers from using ICT.
HANU computers often have technical problems.
Technical problems often happen and waste a lot
of time in lessons.
Computer software is not updated by HANU on a
regular basis.
Most of HANU computers do not have software
for purposeful language teaching.
Percentage of Agree & Agree a little
Our internet bandwidth is probably not very broad so the waiting time is long.
Our regular joke is that after we command the computer to do something, it
takes a long time for the computer to think, long enough for us to do many
things before what we command appears on the computer screen.
(Interviewee, ID 41)
ICT Barriers Lecturer level Limited access to ICT facilities
96.6
93.8
93.8
83.4
75 80 85 90 95 100
Only some classrooms at HANU are equipped
with computers and internet connection.
Teachers have to share HANU computers with
others.
HANU computers are concentrated in computer
labs and in the library.
Teachers have limited access to HANU
computers.
Percentage of Agree & Agree a little
ICT Barriers Lecturer level
Lack of ICT training
83.6
77.1
73.4
65 70 75 80 85
The frequency of ICT training courses at
HANU does not meet my need.
The contents of ICT training courses at
HANU do not meet my need.
ICT training is not customised according to
the actual level of ICT skills of HANU
teachers.
Percentage of Agree & Agree a little
ICT Barriers Lecturer level
Heavy workloads, time & money
66.8
62.7
51.7
0 20 40 60 80
It is very time consuming to use ICT in
lesson preparation.
I believe that ICT increases workloads for
teachers.
For me, it is expensive to use ICT in
teaching.
Percentage of Agree & Agree a little
Lets look at their workloads; they have many hours of classroom teaching, a
lot of lesson preparations, and on top of that they have to teach extra classes
to supplement familys income. All that affects their time availability to learn
how to use ICT. (Interviewee, ID 38)
Suggestions
ICT plan with clear vision & wide dissemination
Teacher-centred ICT training + online depository of training sessions
Incentives for ICT integration
Q & A Your questions & comments are appreciated
Contact
Dang Xuan Thu
Email: [email protected]
Ngo Van Giang
Email: [email protected]
Acknowledgements
Sincere thanks go to:
o Dr. Howard Nicholas & Prof. Ramon Lewis for their academic guidance, &
o HANU staff for participating in this study
Recommended