A comparative study of students' perceptions of expected ICT use and actual ICT use in classroom practices at Nawaminthrachnuthit Bodindecha School, Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if students’ perceptions of expected Information Communication Technology (ICT) use were being met. This research study examined grade 10 through 12 students’ perceptions of expected and actual ICT use in three subjects; English, Mathematics and Science. The research was conducted on 9 different classes at Nawaminthrachinutit Bodindecha: three classes for each grade level. Also, one class in each grade level represented the one of the three main programs of study: English; Mathematics; and Science. Through the use of a questionnaire that was created by the researcher, he compared upper secondary students’ perceptions of expected ICT use to their perceptions of actual ICT use. This study is relevant because the Ministry of Education in Thailand is putting forth great effort to implement the curriculum reforms, which emphasize the utilization of ICTs in the teaching and learning process. This research concluded that although the level of upper secondary students perceptions of actual ICT use is high, their perceptions of expected ICT use are not being met in all three subjects examined. Future studies should examine lower secondary students’ and teachers’ perceptions. Courses should be examined individually instead of grouped together by general subject content. Research should be conducted in rural areas of Thailand where ICT is less prevalent. Finally, when expectations are not met it lowers motivation. Future researcher should examine how unmet expectations of ICT use affect student motivation.