The application of technology in the saudi national program "Tatweer" to improve public education

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the current status of using technology in "Tatweer Schools" for females, where these schools undergo the national program to improve the public education in Saudi Arabia as a part of The King Abdullah Project for Public Education Development "Tatweer Project" (TP). This study employed the qualitative methodology, and collected the data using Semi-structured interviews, Observation, and Focus group. Added, the sample was purposeful as the participants had a deep relation with "Tatweer Schools". This in order to reach the data that serves the study and its aims. The study's outcomes presented the finical support which schools received, allowed providing projectors and overhead devices to all classes. Moreover, it was noticed there are smart-boards in learning resource rooms and in some science_labs. Also, the majority of the study sample are using various applications and software of information and communication technology (ICTs) to a great extent in way that keeps up to meet the goals of the national program to improve the public education. To expand this point, the (ICTs) are used in the following fields: educational processes, organizational learning, and documenting and saving achievements. Furthermore, the outcomes of study highlighted a number of obstacles, like the lack of specialized training to effectively use and maintain technology, as well as, the needs to provide more technological devices, like smart-boards and Tablets.