ICT Experiences in Two Different Middle Eastern Universities

Abdallah Tubaishat, Zayed University
Arif Bhatti
Eyas El-Qawasmeh

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Proceedings of the 2006 InSITE Conference

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Abstract

This research explores the impact of technology and culture on higher education in two Arab countries. In western countries where higher education is common, individuals regardless of their gender can meet, communicate, and collaborate at anytime at any place of their choice. This may not be true in Arab countries due to the social, cultural, and religious reasons. We argue that adoption of technology could provide a comparable learning environment to students in these countries. We present results of a case study based on surveys conducted in two universities, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Jordan and Zayed University (ZU) in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Survey results show that adoption of technology has (a) improved the motivation and confidence level of students, (b) improved their communication and technical skills, (c) encouraged students to collaborate using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools, and (d) allowed students to be more independent. These improvements would not have been possible without technology in a gender-segregated society.

Publisher

Informing Science Institute

Volume

3

First Page

667

Last Page

678

Disciplines

Computer Sciences | Education

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license

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