TY - JOUR
T1 - The professional development needs for the use of educational technology
T2 - A survey of the Hong Kong academic community
AU - Li, Kam Cheong
AU - Wong, Billy Tak Ming
N1 - Funding Information:
The work described in this paper was partially supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (UGC/IDS16/15).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited.
PY - 2019/6/7
Y1 - 2019/6/7
N2 - Purpose: This study aimed to identify the professional development needs of academics in Hong Kong higher education for the use of educational technology. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was conducted in 2017, which involved 374 academics from Hong Kong higher education institutions. The survey covered their perception and use of educational technology for professional activities and their relevant professional development needs. Findings: The results showed an overall positive perception by the academics of the usefulness of online learning with the aid of technology, which was regarded as an effective complement to face-to-face learning. However, their use of educational technology focused only on general online applications, such as document and video-sharing tools, and e-learning platforms. Among various professional development needs, those related to the use of specific educational software with sharing of practical examples were considered to be most highly desired by the academics. In addition, the academics working in lecturer positions tended to use more online applications and had a higher need for professional development, than those with more teaching experience. Originality/value: The findings contribute to identifying the current status of the use of educational technology and the professional development needs among academics in Hong Kong, as well as the differences between academics in different job positions and with different amounts of teaching experience. The results help in designing suitable professional development activities which address the specific needs of academics.
AB - Purpose: This study aimed to identify the professional development needs of academics in Hong Kong higher education for the use of educational technology. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was conducted in 2017, which involved 374 academics from Hong Kong higher education institutions. The survey covered their perception and use of educational technology for professional activities and their relevant professional development needs. Findings: The results showed an overall positive perception by the academics of the usefulness of online learning with the aid of technology, which was regarded as an effective complement to face-to-face learning. However, their use of educational technology focused only on general online applications, such as document and video-sharing tools, and e-learning platforms. Among various professional development needs, those related to the use of specific educational software with sharing of practical examples were considered to be most highly desired by the academics. In addition, the academics working in lecturer positions tended to use more online applications and had a higher need for professional development, than those with more teaching experience. Originality/value: The findings contribute to identifying the current status of the use of educational technology and the professional development needs among academics in Hong Kong, as well as the differences between academics in different job positions and with different amounts of teaching experience. The results help in designing suitable professional development activities which address the specific needs of academics.
KW - Academic community
KW - Educational technology
KW - Higher education
KW - Hong Kong
KW - Professional development
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064010790&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/ITSE-10-2018-0089
DO - 10.1108/ITSE-10-2018-0089
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064010790
SN - 1741-5659
VL - 16
SP - 159
EP - 171
JO - Interactive Technology and Smart Education
JF - Interactive Technology and Smart Education
IS - 2
ER -