Strategies for developing information and communication technology (ICT) competencies of school administrators in the Special Separate Development Zone in the Southern Border Provinces

Abstract

       The purposes of this research were to 1) identify competency factors for information and communication technology (ICT) of school administrators in the Special Separate Development Zone in the Southern Border Provinces (SDSBP) 2) offer strategies in developing ICT competencies of school administrators in the SDSBP. The mixed methodology consisted of 2 stages. Stage one consisted of 3 steps: 1) analyzing documents, 2) conducting in-depth interviews with five experts, and 3) analyzing competency factors using exploratory factor analysis. The subjects were 800 administrators from 400 schools, two informants per school. Stage two consisted of four steps: 1) drafting strategies for developing ICT competencies of school administrators in the SDSBP 2) checking the strategy draft by conducting in-depth interviews with five experts, and 3) confirming the strategies using focus group discussion with eleven administrators in the SDSBP. 4) Improving and offering research report. The research findings were as follows: 1) Competency factors for ICT of school administrators in the SDSBP were divided into two aspects: 1.1) basic competencies consisting of four factors, and 1.2) school administration competencies consisting of five factors. 2) Strategies for developing ICT competencies of school administrators in the SDSBP included: 2.1) providing school administrators with competency to use basic ICT, 2.2) encouraging school administrators to have competency in using ICT for school administration, 2.3) supporting schools to have efficient internet networks and enough computers, and 2.4) providing planning and development for continuous ICT use, and 5) managing ICT use for operation safety.