Abstract:

In this 21st century era, teachers and students are encouraged to use technology to increase their performances. In the latest trend of teaching and learning process, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) literate skill has made a vital shift whereas the approach in the classroom has changed from teacher-directed toward student-directed learning. It means that teachers are no longer a sole and primary source of information and knowledge in the classroom. Therefore, the style of teaching and learning has changed from a traditional approach toward a technology-based by utilizing ICT as the complementary tools to back up students in learning process. In this regard, the main purpose is to give more freedom to students in choosing their own way of learning by using ICT as the main self-directed learning tool. The main focus of this study is to identify whether students’ interaction in using ICT can enhance their self-directed learning skills. Moreover this study attempt to analyze the effect of using ICT in promoting students’ self-directed learning. A survey questionnaire was distributed randomly to the total of 100 (43% male and 57% female) years 1 to year 5 students from five private secondary schools in Selangor, Malaysia. The data for this quantitative research were analyzed for both descriptive and inferential analysis using SPSS (version 23) statistical software. The overall findings revealed that the secondary school students’ interaction with ICT tools can enhance their self-directed learning. Results show that majority of students are able to interact with computer, and ICT tools to figure out a way to learn the key focus of the lessons based on the self-directed learning. To enhance students’ self-directed learning outcomes, there is a need to consider other aspects of ICT integration for the future study. This is especially from management point of view in terms of strategic planning and policy making to support ICT –based teaching and learning environment.

Keywords:

ICT integration, Self-directed learning, Teaching & learning, Education, Malaysia.