Abstract:

Students today are connected through computers, instant messaging, intranets, Internet, and cell phones. In order to cater to the students' experience with technology, corresponding changes in pedagogy and curriculum should happen (Lee, 2002,p.2). Students in Bhutan are also exposed to technologies like almost any other student in the world. Usage of Internet has been on the rise in Bhutan as reported by Bon (2007): “The increase [sic] number of Internet users in the country can be considered a “digital indicator” of the adoption of ICT society, and the integration into the global networked economy”. Jigme Y Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan, stated that “Information and communications technology (ICT) is changing the way the world works, and will continue do so into the future” (Thinley, 2004) in the booklet titled 'Bhutan Information and Communications Technology Policy and Strategies'. In this line Bhutan is embarking on a comprehensive education reform process, with teachers and teacher education at the centre. Samtse College of Education (SCE), as one of the teacher education colleges under Royal University of Bhutan, is a key player in the reform process. Since its inception in 1968 the college has produced primary and secondary teachers for the nation. Starting 2004, systematic efforts have been made to introduce information and communication technology (ICT). In particular an open source learning management system, Moodle, for distance teacher education program at SCE as learning support (Jamtsho and Bullen, 2007) is increasingly used. Until 2009, the use of ICT was confined mostly to administrative support, information dissemination and medium of delivering lessons. From 2010 onwards an attempt has been made to use ICT for teaching and learning at all institutions of RUB for on campus students. However, Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in the form of Moodle at RUB colleges was officially launched on 30th May 2011 with the aim of catering to both online and face-to-face teaching and learning.
In order to examine the usage of ICT in teaching by the lecturers of SCE a preliminary investigation was carried out. The study, first of its kind in Bhutan, used the methods of survey questionnaire and focus group interview under the broad themes such as skills and competence, attitude and motivation, and accessibility to resources and internet. The findings from this investigation revealed a general agreement on the use of ICT as enabling factor for effective delivery of lessons. However, the motivation level among faculty was found low and it was attributed to resource constraints, lack of IT support, poor and unstable internet connection. There are also notable variations amongst the lecturers in terms of qualification, professional training, skills level and in the use of the ICT tools for teaching. The findings from this study could be contextualized to any educational institution or country that is also on the initial steps of the shifting pedagogy with inclusion of ICT as a tool for teaching. Additionally it would also pave way for a similar study at other institutions of RUB.

Keywords:

ICT, Teaching, Royal University of Bhutan, VLE, survey, focus group interview.