Status of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Its Effect on Faculty Members’ Performance

Effective using of information and communication technology (ICT) by considering the globalization process and information revolution is the most important priorities in higher education. This research was conducted to investigate the Status of the using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Its Effect on Faculty Members´ Performance.
Methodsthis descriptive-survey study was done (1395- 1396) on 52 faculty members of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences participated in the study by census method. Data were collected using an IT standardized and researcher-made questionnaires for evaluating educational and research performance. Validity of the questionnaires was calculated using content validity and reliability through Cronbach's alpha of 0.89, 0.82, respectively. In order to analyzing data, regression analysis test, T- test, One-Way ANOVA and SPSS were used.

The results of this study showed that the average use of information technology and research performance was relatively favorable, (3.19 ± 0.028; 2.58 ± 0.042), respectively and the mean of educational performance was favorable (3.95 ± 0.048). From information technology components, only Internet usage component was able to predict 6.1% of the educational performance of faculty members. None of the components was able to predict the scientific function of faculty members. There was a significant difference in using of information technology by faculty members according to rank, age, teaching experience.

The existence of a suitable IT software and hardware, including virtual training developmental package to apply effective IT, requires fundamental steps in ICT using in educational and research activities by faculty members at this university.