Abstract

This study aims to investigate the faculty perceptions regarding the use of technology in the vocational nursing classroom. A qualitative research study involving interviews with vocational nursing faculty was conducted to assess their perceptions about the use of technology. Numerous studies have shown that didactic technologies have changed the thought patterns of the educators-learners relationship in education. Technological interventions have unlocked the door to countless innovative teaching methodologies for educators. But teaching with didactic technologies is an academic skill rather than an intuitive one. Therefore it requires significantly more understanding as a skill than simply making use of computers. Faculty should embrace technological interventions and must utilize them to create the learning environment. Educators should be knowledgeable regarding how to successfully and effectively utilize technology in the vocational nursing classroom. Unfortunately, the majority of faculty do not fully support or utilize technology in their teaching. Some faculty refuses to accept this revolution in education practice. However, the revolution in technology incorporation and the needs of a new generation of students has made it urgent that nursing schools and faculty embrace these new possibilities.  The study found out that You Tube (38%) and PPT (35%) are the most commonly used technologies in the vocational nursing classroom. Faculty should embrace technological interventions and must utilize them to create the learning environment. Increasing the resources and equipments, Wi-fi connectivity, training and capacity, connectivity will increase the use of technology in the vocational nursing classroom. Confidence in using technology depends on knowledge of using technology before joining nursing, the ability of an individual to enjoy searching and getting to learn more about the technology and hands on experience of using technology for a period of time before joining the vocational nursing school. Technology is important because it helps students to understand what they are taught in class by viewing videos which are related to the concepts taught hence reinforcing the theories and helps to keep the nurses updated with the advancement in technology in health care and across the globe makes it important for vocational nurses to embrace technology and use it. In conclusion the study was able to determine the faculty perceptions regarding the use of technology in the vocational nursing classroom. Although all the nurses use various existing technologies in the classroom, more has to be done especially with the training of the nurses, increasing the resources and equipments availability, improve the confidence so that to increase utilization of technology in classroom.