Technology adoption in Malaysian schools: An analysis of national ICT in education policy initiatives

• Main Authors: Zainal, Azlin Zaiti, Zainuddin, Siti Zaidah
• Format: Article
• Published: Research Group Education and Virtual Learning (GREAV) 2020
• Subjects: L Education (General); PE English; T Technology (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/25720/; https://doi.org/10.1344/DER.2020.37.172-194

Educational change, particularly change involving the adoption of educational innovations, is a complex process. In Malaysia, the significant role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in promoting digital education is reflected in the national ICT in education policy. Nevertheless, studies in the Malaysian educational context have shown that the policy implementation resulted in varying degrees of success. Through a discourse analysis approach, this paper aims to examine the research studies on large-scale initiatives introduced to digitize the Malaysian education system, from the Smart Schools program to the incorporation of the Frog Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) in the classroom. The rationale behind these top-down initiatives and how they affected the stakeholders at the micro level, namely, teachers and students, are reviewed and analyzed. The analysis informs our understanding of the factors that contribute to the successful and unsuccessful implementation of these initiatives and guide the planning of future policies. © 2020 Research Group Education and Virtual Learning (GREAV). All rights reserved.