International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 12, No. 1 (2016)

The state of Integration of the Virtual Learning Environment and ICT into the pedagogy of the Royal University of Bhutan: A descriptive study

Choeda, Royal University of Bhutan
Tandin Penjor, Royal University of Bhutan
Dorji Dupka, Royal University of Bhutan
Pär-Ola Zander, Aalborg University, Denmark

Abstract
This paper reports a descriptive research study on the integration of ICT and pedagogy in the colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan. It investigates whether ICT is integrated into the pedagogy and, if so, in what way. The study identifies the use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as the key technology, which is used as part of ICT-integrated pedagogy. However, the VLE has been found to be confined to be a platform where sharing of items such as work plans, module descriptors and uploading assignments have been done. The actual interactive teaching/learning via VLE is considerably low. Besides the aforementioned use, only a few of the lecturers are found to be using the VLE for discussion, class tests and quizzes. The concepts and application of learning design or instructional design are confined to a few lecturers. The status of ICT-integrated pedagogy in higher education in Bhutan is at an early stage and is affected by low-speed Internet connectivity and a lack of adequate resources as well as training in ICT-integrated pedagogy. However, lecturers become motivated by the perceived potential of technology.

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