THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL AMONG KUWAITI STUDENTS AT THE INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION LEVEL

Abstract

Today’s education is different to the one that existed not so many years ago. Our education is constantly changing. We live in an information society where the leading role has been given to new technologies, especially those devoted to information. Therefore, this study will attempt to understand Kuwaiti middle schools students’ perceptions of technology use inside and outside schools, particularly students’ impressions of educational technology.

The purpose of this research study was to determine are their differences between how technology is used in and out school by grade level and gender. The instruments were two questionnaires called a survey of technology usage inside school and a survey of technology usage outside school. With 20 items in each instrument. All the students were 11 to 14 years of age, at four intermediate education levels: sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth grade. The total sample size was N = 384 (185 boys, 199 girls). This study was conducted with grade sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth for both schools, students in intact classes.

The most strongly endorsed technology item inside of school were educational in nature. Whereas, outside of school students developed more recreational purposes of technology use. The inferential statistics showed an interaction between gender and grade level. Technology inside of school found a low level in grade six and rising in grade seven for girls while it rose for boys in both grade seven and eight. Both boys and girls utilized technology in school less in grade nine.

Technology outside of the school found the same results as inside for boys while girls started higher in usage and declined each subsequent year. Girls utilized technology for more educational purposes than boys.