Factors related to principals use of information and communication technologies

Abstract

Effective twenty-first century school administrators will be those who are able to harness the power of technology, via powerful browsers, search engines, the Internet, or other technologies and communicate effectively with others at all organizational levels in order to make informed, intelligent decisions. In fact, principals have a major responsibility for initiating and implementing school change through use of ICT and therefore facilitate complex decisions about integration of ICT into learning and teaching. However, there is less information about the current status of ICT use by Iranian principals. This study raised some issues about the role of principals in technology integration, identified the extent to which Iranian secondary school principals use computers and explored the relationship between two variables related to ICT use. These factors included high level of computer competency of principals and positive attitudes towards ICT, both contributed significantly to the computer use. Also, findings from this study indicated that principals spent a few times a week working on their computers. It seems that knowledge of the role of ICT in the work life of the school principal and the acquisition of appropriate skills to use this knowledge needs to be understood by principals. Therefore, effective and extensive training should be provided for principals to fulfill their role as technology leader.