The use of computer technology by Thai private vocational school administrators

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current and planned use of computer technology by Thai private vocational school administrators in seven computer applications identified by Poston (1992)---instructional support and assistance, word processing and desktop publishing, spreadsheets and accounting, database management, graphics and multimedia, communications, and program or application development in relation to administrative tasks in the four administrative themes cited by the National Policy Board for Education Administration (NPBEA, 1993)---functional, programmatic, interpersonal, and contextual. In addition, the study examined the relationship between knowledge of technology, and level of current and planned use by Thai administrators.; Literature from 1969 to present was reviewed to provide an overview of the use of computer technology by school administrators. The target population in this study consisted of 367 school principals in Thai private vocational schools. The entire population was used to ensure generalizability of results. Participants consisted of 339 principals, for a return rate of 92.37%. The study was descriptive and used survey methods. The researcher developed a 41-item questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.; The level of computer technology knowledge among Thai private vocational principals was between the beginning and intermediate levels. For both current and planned use of seven computer technology applications by the Thai principals, word processing applications were the most used applications in performing administrative tasks, followed by database management applications and instructional support applications, respectively. Communication applications were currently used the least, whereas graphics and multimedia applications had the least planned use. For the current level of computer technology use by the four administrative themes, respondents rated their highest use of computer applications for programmatic tasks, followed by the interpersonal, functional, and contextual tasks. In contrast, tasks related to the interpersonal theme had the highest level of planned use, followed by the programmatic, contextual, and functional themes. In examining the relationship between level of computer knowledge and current level of computer technology use, the researcher found that a significant but weak positive relationship existed in all areas. A similar result was found in the relationship between computer technology knowledge and planned level of computer technology use.; It was concluded that Thai private vocational school principals currently do not use computer technology fully in performing their administrative roles. However, they plan to increase their computer use in the near future. To reach the goal of effective and efficient computer technology use, Thai principals will need improved telecommunication infrastructure, training, and access to Thai language administrative software.