There is a need to upgrade the National University of Samoa's (N.U.S.) Technology infrastructure and connectivity so that technology can be built into its courses, a study carried out by its own Computing Department has found.

The review, released this week, asked forty-seven Lecturers to comment on the statement: “There is a need to develop a technology-enabled learning policy and strategy in your university”. 

All respondents strongly agreed. 

Comments for the policy included: “…there is a need to develop and implement one [policy]. The needs of our students are changing rapidly due to technology; in addition in order to ensure the integrity of work submitted by students, therefore access to plagiarism software is a start. 

“There is a need to transform the delivery of education to influence shape and form of the future workforce. 

“This should be developed to ensure structures and systems are appropriate, and it will effectively facilitate the tasks and responsibilities. It addresses the development of learning opportunities that utilise these systems in ways that enhance the university to achieve a sustainable future in a continuously transforming technological context.”

Other findings and recommendations highlighted in the paper include: “Lecturers are proficient in the use of basic technology applications such as word processing and spreadsheets. 

"However more training is needed in the use of O.E.Rs (Open Educational Resources), graphics, video and audio editing, web page design and use of learning management systems. 

“There is a need for more technology support in the area of research and library resources, whilst lecturers need to be encouraged to utilise library resources more. 

“There is a need to develop a T.E.L. policy to guide the development and implementation of Technology enabled learning at the university; and lastly, the positive attitudes of the lecturers in the university need to be exploited to make a difference to the quality of learning of the students.” 

A total of 106 teachers responded to the survey, of which 45 were male (43 percent) and 58 were female (57 percent).

The paper, “Preparing for Technology enabled learning: an evaluation of lecturer preparedness at the National University of Samoa”, was compiled by Ioana Chan Mow, Misioka Tanielu, Tara Patu, Mose Mose, Agnes Wong Soon.