The use of information technology in academic departments of library and information science in Iranian universities

Abstract

The role of Information Technology (IT) in universities and academic teaching departments is shifting dramatically from traditional chalkboad classroom i.e. chalk, walk and talk to an instructional aid i.e. Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI). Educators are increasingly aware of the need, and concomitant demand to have skills to access the information to enable them to continue learning through their careers. This study explored the use of Information Technology in academic teaching departments of Library and Information Science (LISc) in universities of Iran. In particular, this research probes the use of Information Technology by Iranian LISc faculty members and students. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY Objectives of the study are: i) To study the status of IT utilization among Iranian LISc faculty members and students; ii) To identify users and non-users of IT among Iranian LISc faculty members and students; iii) To find out the purposes of IT use among Iranian LISc faculty members and students; iv) To explore the possibilities of various IT based services/systems, used by Iranian LISc faculty teachers and students; v) To explore the possibilities which help and motivate faculty members and students to increase use of IT; vi) To suggest/recommend ways and means to overcome problems faced by faculty members and students. ASSUMPTIONS Assumptions of the study are: 1. More than 80% of LISc faculty members use IT in Iran. 2. More than 70% of LISc students use IT in Iran. 3. Highly qualified faculty members will join LISc academic departments with IT qualifications and trainings in Iran. THE SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS The scope and limitations of the study are: 1. This study includes only LISc depatments in universities of Iran. 2. The study covers only LISc faculty members and LISc students in Iran. 3. The study restricted only to full time LISc faculty members and full time LISc Bachelor, Master and PhD students in Iran. 4. The study place Pune (India) and data samples were from Iran, consequently leads to various limitations.