Abstract:

The use of instructional technology in higher education is vital. It helps both lecturers and students to communicate efficiently. It assists the lecturer to convey effectively information to students, and the student to assimilate that information. According to Ellington (1995), instructional technology can be divided into two types:

1.Software technology such as TV and computer programmes, and curricula.
2.Hardware technology such as apparatus, computers, telecommunications, and high-speed networks.

21st century higher education is highly characterized by modern instructional technology that has vastly increased the individuals' capacity to know, to do things, to communicate and to collaborate with each other. It allows them to transmit information quickly and widely, linking distant places and diverse areas of endeavor in productive new ways. Universities are now well equipped with a lot of apparatus, tools and software. In addition, students are being instructed in smart classes. As a result, students' satisfaction has increased, attendance has improved, learning abilities were enhanced, learning transfer rates have greatly increased. and drop out rates have decreased, If it is the case in developed countries, is it the same case in developing countries? Unfortunately, many reports (Moja, 2000& Beahem, et al. 2006) show that higher education in developing countries in the still suffers from many problems including the lack of instructional technology.
This paper aims to see to what extent universities in developing countries do use instructional technology considering East Algerian universities as a case.

References:
Beahem, C, P. Clint Rogers, C., and Liddle, S. W. (2006). Opportunities and Challenges of Utilizing Educational Technology in Developing Countries: The eCANDLE Foundation. In Current Developments in Technology-Assisted Education (2006) Edited by A. Méndez-Vilas, A. Solano Martín, J.A. Mesa González and J. Mesa González Published by FORMATEX, Badajoz, Spain (2006)
Ellington, H. (1995). Handbook of educational technology. Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Moja, T. (2000). Education Challenges in Developing Countries. Paper presented at the Special One-Day Workshop on Equality Development and Peace for the 21st Century. An Ancillary Meeting to the Special Session of the General Assembly, 5-9 June 2000

Keywords:

Instructional technology, Developing countries, Algeria.