Exploring the Need for Using Digital Repositories to Enhance Teaching and Learning in Omani Schools: Teachers’ Perceptions
Abstract
Digital repositories (DRs) are of a great benefit when they are used in educational institutions. They can enhance teaching and learning processes and facilitate achieving the intended learning outcomes. Teachers can depend on different learning objects (LOs) stored in the repositories to improve their teaching methods and students can change their learning styles to achieve their objectives. The current study aims at investigating the need to employ DRs in Omani schools to provide different learning experience to post-basic education students using interactive e-learning content. The study employed a mixed methods approach and was carried out in two phases. Firstly, a survey was adopted to 120 teachers from different schools in Muscat to find out the extent of their need for using digital repositories. Secondly, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 teachers to validate the results and gain more understanding. The research instruments addressed three aspects: (1) the need for using DRs to support teachers, (2) to support students’ learning, and (3) to enhance curriculum. The results of both instruments came consistently and revealed that most teachers expressed the need for employing DRs in the educational process. They believe that DRs are needed in supporting teachers themselves, students, and enhance curriculum. The interview analysis yielded an emergent theme related to some conditions raised by teachers to effectively use digital repositories. Based on the results, the study introduced a framework for a dynamic DR to be used in Omani schools and proposed a plan for developing and implementing the repository.
https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.5.1
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