THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ITS ROLE IN SUPPORTING LEARNING A SURVEY

It is a well known fact that the impact of using technology in teaching and learning has a far reaching effect in the field of education. It has contributed to further development of students' cognitive skills in their learning abilities and knowledge building in curriculum settings. The use of Information technology (IT) as a major active learning method in the curriculum carries its impact to outside the classroom demonstrated first through high performances during college years. Such students who have used it properly show high level thinking in oral presentations and exam performances. Accordingly, this present study aims to identify the extent to which the impact and the influence of technology has endorsed the gaining of knowledge and the development of experience in the learning process in two different courses taught in two departments library science and the English language and Literature Department in Princess Nora Bint AbdulRahman University offering two different educational degrees. These two groups could be described as an apt research culture in the course of their knowledge and information acquisition and its later application in the external working environment. To assess the outcome, a student questionnaire and individual interviews were used to evaluate students' opinions of the progress they sensed after the final exams, and the extent of additional experiences and information skills they gained which enhanced their understanding of the subject and its background. The outcome of the study will also validate the extent of the perceived complexity in some of the difficult courses at the PNBAU by highlighting how technology enabled curriculum improved students' results, learning and contentment. Additionally, it assists in recognizing students' favored program modes. Lastly, it will establish the quality of information acquisition as an outcome in using the IT as a major component of teaching the course in contrast to the traditional lecture manner.