Uppeldi og menntun - 01.09.2004, Síða 169

ANNA ÓLAFSDÓTTIR
ABSTRACT
The article describes an evaluation that was carried out to study the effect of
information and communications technology (ICT) in the development of the
University of Akureyri and the evolution of ICT in study and teaching. The results of
the study were presented as a Master's dissertation at the Iceland University of
Education in the autumn of 2003. The project received a grant from the Icelandic
Centre for Research (Rannís) as part of the research project NámUST (LearnlCT).
Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the collection of data which
was obtained from administrators, students and teachers. Several conclusions can be
drawn from the evaluation, both with regard to the strengths of the University of
Akureyri as an institution and the challenges it faces. The main strength lies in the
unique position the University has as a robust institute for higher education in a rural
area offering a diversity of courses, both locally and by distance. Another important
source of strength is the co-operation of the university with centres for continuing ed-
ucation around the country which serves as a valuable experience and has resulted
in the formation of active learning communities for many students. It indicates a
promising future that ICT has become an integral part of study and teaching. Both
students and teachers are positive in their attitudes toward the use of ICT in
education. It may also be concluded from the results that although ICT is in general
use at the University of Akureyri there is still some way to go before its potential has
been fully realised for the development of study and teaching.
Anna Ólafsdóttir er
aðjunkt við Háskólann á Akureyri
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