No abstract

Bahrain Polytechnic is a Higher Education technical institution established in 2008 (by Royal Decree No. 65 for the year 2008). Its main mission is to supply the Bahraini economy with a skilled Bahraini labour force aiming to contribute to economic growth and diversification. The Polytechnic ensures that its values of excellence, learning and innovation are achieved by designing curricula that meet international standards as well as national and individual needs through continuous consultations with the industries and international education institutions. The development of computer and technological literacy is a significant predictor for success in the workplace and is also one of the key skills that the polytechnic provides through its programmes to students and faculty. This paper explores how computer literacy and skills are acquired by educators and students through International Computer Driving License (ICDL) tools employed at Bahrain Polytechnic. The study also considers the challenges that hinder learners from completing the requirements of ICDL.  If adequate numbers of faculty and students have already learned basic computer skills, then the question facing the polytechnic is if computer literacy should continue to be taught at all levels. To answer this question, ICDL tests were administered to ascertain the computer literacy level of existing faculty and students. The results of the tests will determine which ICDL tests students and faculty should be placed on in order to address their computer literacy needs.

No abstract

No abstract

Bahrain Polytechnic was established in 2008 (by Royal Decree No. 65 for the year 2008, Bahrain Polytechnic website) to supply the Bahraini economy with competent work-ready and enterprising Bahraini labour force to support the economic growth and diversification. Industries and international education institutions are consulted in designing and applying the methodology in all programmes which include Problem Based Learning and computer literacy. The development of computer literacy plays an important role in the learning process of undergraduate students in their foundation (orientation) year at the polytechnic. In order to effectively engage learners and enhance their computational skills, educators are required to explore motivational and constructive teaching methodologies that are prevalent with modern technology. This paper presents three case-studies examining the level of Bahraini learners' Information Technology in their foundation (orientation) year at Bahrain Polytechnic. The study explored the impact of Kahoot as a gamification or online game-based tool on learners' achievement and proficiency levels over four academic semesters. The intervention applied to improve learners' computational skills included a significant online game-based component. Students' academic achievement levels were investigated to identify the effectiveness of online game-based platforms in teaching Information Technology courses.