In today's digital age, it is crucial for higher education educators to embrace technology and overcome any challenges. This mixed-methods study explores technophobia among academic staff (N = 60) at the University of Latvia, aiming to identify the challenges that deter technology adoption and propose practical solutions. The primary form of technophobia observed among respondents stems from anxiety rather than an outright avoidance of technology. This research used an online survey and a virtual focus group discussion to gather insights. Common barriers to technology use identified include lack of motivation, the perception of high effort required, inadequate training, and time constraints. The study also highlights specific reasons for technophobia, such as the perceived complexity of technology and setup challenges. Based on these findings, recommendations include allocating extra workload for self-learning, making technology use mandatory with adequate support, and encouraging independent learning and peer support. These suggestions aim to improve technology integration in academic settings, benefiting academic staff and students.

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Turning Technophobia into Technophilia: A Study on Academic Staff at the University of Latvia

  • Hasan Selcuk,
  • Daiga Kalniņa,
  • Linda Daniela

摘要

In today's digital age, it is crucial for higher education educators to embrace technology and overcome any challenges. This mixed-methods study explores technophobia among academic staff (N = 60) at the University of Latvia, aiming to identify the challenges that deter technology adoption and propose practical solutions. The primary form of technophobia observed among respondents stems from anxiety rather than an outright avoidance of technology. This research used an online survey and a virtual focus group discussion to gather insights. Common barriers to technology use identified include lack of motivation, the perception of high effort required, inadequate training, and time constraints. The study also highlights specific reasons for technophobia, such as the perceived complexity of technology and setup challenges. Based on these findings, recommendations include allocating extra workload for self-learning, making technology use mandatory with adequate support, and encouraging independent learning and peer support. These suggestions aim to improve technology integration in academic settings, benefiting academic staff and students.