The Strategies for Using ICT in Smartization of Schools: A Qualitative Study on a Group of Experts

Context: The present era of information and communication technology have affected various aspects of individual and social life. In smart schools, information and communication technologies are accompanied with a comprehensive and holistic model, entering predetermined goals and missions into the field of education. The present study aimed at exploring the challenges and strategies in the use of ICT to smartize schools.
A qualitative approach was adopted in the present study in conducting interviews with 3 focus group experts (faculty members, teachers, and specialists in educational technology) in the city of Sanandaj. Semi-structured interview was used for data collection. Criterion-based purposive sampling method was used to study the experts ‘viewpoints (4 faculty members, 7 experienced teachers, and 4 experts of information and communication technology in education). In addition, thematic content analysis was used to encode data and summarize the interviews. Finally, strategies were developed using the environmental analysis of SWOT.
The findings suggested that smartization of schools have noteworthy strengths. These strengths are as follow: encouraging active learners, developing the identity of students, offering opportunities for interactive learning in educational settings, and promoting qualitative development of education. The weaknesses of school smartization process were insufficiency of specialized human resources, incorrect culture in use of ICT tools, and certain challenges (weakness in policymaking, ICT development strategies, and disruption of structural and infrastructure-related factors.
Fundamental contributive steps could be taken by minimizing weaknesses and challenges, maximizing strengths and opportunities for smart schools, and adopting appropriate strategies for smart schools by experts.