PhD. 2004. Major professor: Diane McGrath.‎
Ahmad is assistant professor at AlQaseem University in Saudi Arabia. Email: ahmadalrumaih@hotmail.com

Abstract:
Most of the technology related research in the field ‎of educational technology concentrates on the study of the ‎effectiveness of technology in the enhancement of a certain ‎task such as learning or teaching. Less work has been done ‎to examine how users of technology feel about it and how it ‎changes their profession. ‎
In this qualitative study, I examined how technology ‎changed the way a group of 7 English language instructors ‎teach English pronunciation. The study explored ‎participants’ attitudes and perceptions toward using ‎technology in teaching pronunciation and changes in ‎participants’ pedagogical methods and role if technology is ‎used. The main program that was used in this research was ‎PronunciationPower 1 & 2 developed by English Computerized ‎Learning Inc. ‎
This research was an attempt to deeply understand a ‎situation of EFL education when technology is used. The ‎study used interviews, observations, and field notes to ‎answer research questions related to 1) participants’ ‎perceptions about the use of technology in language ‎teaching; 2) the effect of the participants’ beliefs and ‎conceptualizations about the use of technology on the ‎quality of their teaching and their motivations to use ‎technology in their teaching; 3) changes in participants’ ‎pedagogical methods and roles if technology is used and the ‎factors that may prevent effective use of technology; and ‎‎4) participants’ beliefs about the factors that made them ‎change from traditional teaching to technology-based ‎teaching.‎
The findings of the present study indicated a positive ‎attitude of participants’ toward technology’s potential in ‎teaching English pronunciation. Participants expressed ‎dramatic changes in their pedagogical methods and teaching ‎roles. They also revealed that current use of technology ‎was not adequate and needed improvement. This research ‎showed the need for reform in order to integrate technology ‎effectively in EFL education in Saudi Arabia. Suggestions ‎are made for EFL teachers, learners, institutions as well ‎as education policy makers in Saudi Arabia. ‎