SINTA

2.5

Impact

Google Scholar

10

h-index

Indonesian Journal of Education Research (IJoER)

Open Access Journal


Role of School Principals in Integrating Technology into the Teaching–Learning Process

Share
  • Purpose of the study: The present study explored the role of Sri Lankan school principals in integrating technology into the teaching–learning process across diverse educational contexts. It examined how principals provide leadership, support, and direction for technology use in schools, while also identifying the challenges they face and the factors that influence their efforts.

    Methodology: A qualitative research design was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with ten school principals from Sinhala, Tamil, and English medium schools across four districts in Sri Lanka. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis

    Main Findings: The findings reveal that principals play multiple roles as facilitators, enablers, and advocates of technology integration. They support initiatives such as STEM education and encourage teachers’ use of digital tools; however, their leadership is often constrained by the absence of a clear technological vision, limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, teacher resistance, and insufficient awareness of technology-related policies. These challenges vary between urban and rural schools and across different language-medium contexts

    Novelty/Originality of this study: This study contributes to the understanding of school principals’ roles in leading technology integration in Sri Lankan schools. It highlights both leadership practices and contextual constraints and offers practical insights to strengthen principals’ capacity to support effective and equitable technology-enhanced teaching and learning.

  • How to cite

    [1]
    K. S. P. Sisindra and F. M. Nawastheen, “Role of School Principals in Integrating Technology into the Teaching–Learning Process”, Ind. Jou. Edu. Rsc, vol. 6, no. 6, pp. 564–577, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.37251/ijoer.v6i6.2177.
  • 341
    Abstract views
    207
    Downloads

    Metrics — Badges

    1. Partnership for 21st Century Learning, "Framework for 21st century learning definitions," Battelle for Kids, Columbus, OH, USA, 2019.
    2. D. G. T. N. D. Silva and R. Amaradasa, "Technology-mediated education in Sri Lanka: Expectations, challenges and strategies," Journal of Economics and Management Research, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 1-7, 2022, doi: 10.47363/JESMR/2022(3)161 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47363/JESMR/2022(3)161
    3. D. Jackson, "Relationship between principals' technological leadership and their schools' implementation of instructional technology," M.S. thesis, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA, 2009.
    4. P. Wachira and J. Keengwe, "Technology integration barriers: Urban school mathematics teachers perspectives," Journal of Science Education and Technology, vol. 20, pp. 17-25, 2011, doi: 10.1007/s10956-010-9230-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-010-9230-y
    5. H. Balalle and T. Weerasinghe, "New technologies and the challenge for educational leadership," International Journal of Academic Research and Reflection, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1-12, 2021.
    6. R. Thannimalai and A. Raman, "The influence of principals' technology leadership and professional development on teachers' technology integration in secondary schools," Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 201-226, 2018, doi: 10.32890/mjli2018.15.1.8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2018.15.1.8
    7. M. M. A. K. Mapa, "Strategies followed by school principals in human resource management: Experience through Sri Lankan government schools," M.Phil. thesis, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2020.
    8. National Education Commission, National Education Policy Framework (2020-2030), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2022.
    9. Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka, Process of Evaluation and Monitoring for Assuring the Quality in Education, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2024.
    10. A. Raman, R. Thannimalai, and S. N. Ismail, "Principals' technology leadership and its effect on teachers' technology integration in 21st century classrooms," International Journal of Instruction, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 423-442, 2019, doi: 10.29333/iji.2019.12428a DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2019.12428a
    11. T. Keane, M. Boden, C. Chalmers, and M. Williams, "Effective principal leadership influencing technology innovation in the classroom," Education and Information Technologies, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 5321-5338, 2020, doi: 10.1007/s10639-020-10217-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10217-0
    12. K. McKnight, K. O'Malley, R. Ruzic, M. K. Horsley, J. J. Franey, and K. Bassett, "Teaching in a digital age: How educators use technology to improve student learning," Journal of Research on Technology in Education, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 194-211, 2016, doi: 10.1080/15391523.2016.1175856 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2016.1175856
    13. L. A. Schindler, G. J. Burkholder, O. A. Morad, and C. Marsh, "Computer-based technology and student engagement: A critical review of the literature," International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, vol. 14, no. 1, 2017, doi: 10.1186/s41239-017-0063-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-017-0063-0
    14. M. Henderson, N. Selwyn, and R. Aston, "What works and why? Student perceptions of useful digital technology in university teaching and learning," Studies in Higher Education, vol. 42, no. 8, pp. 1567-1579, 2015, doi: 10.1080/03075079.2015.1007946 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2015.1007946
    15. M. Claro, M. Nussbaum, X. López, and V. Contardo, "Differences in views of school principals and teachers regarding technology integration," Journal of Educational Technology & Society, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 42-53, 2017.
    16. S. Ghavifekr, T. Kunjappan, L. Ramasamy, and A. Anthony, "Teaching and learning with ICT tools: Issues and challenges from teachers' perceptions," Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 38-57, 2016.
    17. M. Sincar, "Challenges school principals facing in the context of technology leadership," Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 1273-1284, 2013.
    18. N. G. Uğur and T. Koç, "Leading and teaching with technology: School principals' perspective," International Journal of Educational Leadership and Management, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 42-71, 2019, doi: 10.17583/ijelm.2019.3758 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17583/ijelm.2019.3758
    19. S. P. Karunanayaka and W. Weerakoon, "Fostering digital education among teachers and learners in Sri Lankan schools," Journal of Learning for Development, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 61-77, 2020, doi: 10.56059/jl4d.v7i1.390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/jl4d.v7i1.390
    20. OECD, OECD Skills Outlook 2019: Thriving in a Digital World. Paris, France: OECD Publishing, 2019, doi: 10.1787/df80bc12-en DOI: https://doi.org/10.1787/df80bc12-en
    21. P. Hallinger, "A review of three decades of doctoral studies using the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale: A lens on methodological progress in educational leadership," Educational Administration Quarterly, vol. 47, no. 2, pp. 271-306, 2011, doi: 10.1177/0013161X10383412 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X10383412
    22. S. Dexter, J. W. Richardson, and J. B. Nash, "Leadership for technology use, integration, and innovation," in Handbook of Research on the Education of School Leaders, M. D. Young and G. M. Crow, Eds. Routledge, 2016, pp. 447-468.
    23. J. L. Hero, "Exploring the principal's technology leadership: Its influence on teachers' technological proficiency," International Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 4-10, 2020.
    24. A. Raman and R. Thannimalai, "Importance of technology leadership for technology integration: Gender and professional development perspective," SAGE Open, vol. 9, no. 4, 2019, doi: 10.1177/2158244019893707 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019893707
    25. K. Banoğlu, R. Vanderlinde, M. Çetin, and K. Aesaert, "Role of school principals' technology leadership practices in building a learning organization culture in public K-12 schools," Journal of School Leadership, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 66-91, 2023, doi: 10.1177/10526846221134010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10526846221134010
    26. W. Sterrett and J. W. Richardson, "Supporting professional development through digital principal leadership," Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership, vol. 5, no. 2, p. 4, 2020.
    27. Y. Xin, A. H. A. Hamid, and A. N. Mansor, "Systematic insights for educational sustainability: Principals' digital leadership and teacher professional performance," Environment and Social Psychology, vol. 10, no. 8, p. 4067, 2025, doi: 10.59429/esp.v10i8.4067 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v10i8.4067
    28. T. J. J. Brunner, T. Schuster, and C. Lehmann, "Leadership's long arm: The positive influence of digital leadership on teachers' work engagement and technology adoption," International Journal of Leadership in Education, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 780-799, 2023, doi: 10.1177/20569971231159099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20569971231159099
    29. A. S. Donaldson and W. M. Jackman, "How principal leadership affected ICT integration in Antiguan secondary schools: Successes and challenges," The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 133-144, 2024.
    30. A. S. Donaldson, "An exploration of school principals' leadership strategies to incorporate technology into curriculum delivery: Successes, challenges and possibilities," Doctoral dissertation, The University of Trinidad & Tobago, 2025.
    31. A. Garcia, J. Abrego, and J. Jauregui, "Technologies frequently used by elementary principals," Universal Journal of Educational Research, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 95-105, 2019, doi: 10.13189/ujer.2019.070113 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2019.070113
    32. M. Ruloff and D. Petko, "School principals' educational goals and leadership styles for digital transformation: Results from case studies in upper secondary schools," International Journal of Leadership in Education, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 422-440, 2022, doi: 10.1080/13603124.2021.2014979 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2021.2014979
    33. N. H. Hamzah, N. M. Radzi, and I. M. Omar, "Development of a digital leadership competency model for school principals in Malaysia: A needs analysis," International Journal of Education, Psychology and Counseling, vol. 10, no. 57, pp. 213-234, 2025, doi: 10.35631/IJEPC.1057014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35631/IJEPC.1057014
    34. M. Samancıoğlu, M. Bağlıbel, M. Kalman, and M. Sincar, "The relationship between technology leadership roles and profiles of school principals and technology integration in primary school classrooms," Journal of Educational Sciences Research, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 77-96, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12973/jesr.2015.52.5
    35. M. I. M. Hamzah, F. Juraime, and A. N. Mansor, "Malaysian principals' technology leadership practices and curriculum management," Creative Education, vol. 7, no. 7, pp. 922-930, 2016, doi: 10.4236/ce.2016.77096 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2016.77096
    36. L. D. Prasojo, A. Habibi, M. F. M. Yaakob, A. Mukminin, S. Haswindy, and M. Sofwan, "An explanatory sequential study on Indonesian principals' perceptions on ICT integration barriers," Electronic Journal of e-Learning, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 1-10, 2019.
    37. B. Chen, "Exploring the digital divide: The use of digital technologies in Ontario public schools," Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, vol. 41, no. 3, 2015, doi: 10.21432/t2kp6f DOI: https://doi.org/10.21432/T2KP6F
    38. Y. P. Chua and Y. P. Chua, "Developing a grounded model for educational technology leadership practices," Education and Science, vol. 42, no. 189, pp. 1-13, 2017, doi: 10.15390/EB.2016.6705 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15390/EB.2016.6705
    39. S. Harrell and Y. Bynum, "Factors affecting technology integration in the classroom," Alabama Journal of Educational Leadership, vol. 5, pp. 12-18, 2018.
    40. M. Tschannen-Moran and C. Gareis, "Principals, trust, and cultivating vibrant schools," Societies, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 256-276, 2015, doi: 10.3390/soc5020256 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/soc5020256
    41. W. J. Shyr, "Developing the principal technology leadership competency indicators for Technical High Schools in K-12 in Taiwan," Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 13, no. 6, pp. 2085-2093, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.01215a
    42. H. C. Waxman, A. W. Boriack, Y. Lee, and A. MacNeil, "Principals' perceptions of the importance of technology in schools," Contemporary Educational Technology, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 187-196, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6102
    43. R. Mestry, "Empowering principals to lead and manage public schools effectively in the 21st century," South African Journal of Education, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 1-11, 2017, doi: 10.15700/saje.v37n1a1334 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v37n1a1334
    44. O. B. Sasere, "From classroom to principalship: A framework for enhancing leadership capacity of novice school principals for a smoother transition," International Journal of Social Sciences and Educational Studies, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 1-22, 2025, doi: 10.23918/ijsses.v12i4p1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23918/ijsses.v12i4p1
    45. P. R. Albion, J. Tondeur, A. Forkosh-Baruch, and J. Peeraer, "Teachers' professional development for ICT integration: Towards a reciprocal relationship between research and practice," Education and Information Technologies, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 655-673, 2015, doi: 10.1007/s10639-015-9401-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-015-9401-9
    46. M. D. Ralebese, L. Jita, and O. T. Badmus, "Examining primary school principals' instructional leadership practices: A case study on curriculum reform and implementation," Education Sciences, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 70, 2025, doi: 10.3390/educsci15010070 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15010070
    47. N. Rahman, H. Ismail, and R. Hassan, "Examining digital professional development programs for Malaysian teachers," Asian Journal of Education and Technology, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 41-57, 2022, doi: 10.11594/ajet.2022.28.3.04
    48. N. Laouni, "School principals' self-efficacy beliefs for technology integration in Moroccan public schools," International Journal of Educational Leadership and Management, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 25-61, 2023, doi: 10.17583/ijelm.9154 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17583/ijelm.9154
    49. S. Vatanartiran and S. Karadeniz, "A needs analysis for technology integration plan: Challenges and needs of teachers," Contemporary Educational Technology, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 206-220, 2015, doi: 10.30935/cedtech/6150 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30935/cedtech/6150
    50. F. A'mar and D. Eleyan, "Effect of principal's technology leadership on teacher's technology integration," International Journal of Instruction, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 781-798, 2022, doi: 10.29333/iji.2022.15145a DOI: https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.15145a
    51. S. E. Wibowo, O. Setiawan, and S. Rahardjo, "Effect of e-leadership style, organizational commitment, and service quality towards Indonesian school performance," Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy, vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 472-481, 2020.
    52. E. B. Maala and F. D. Lagos, "Technological leadership of school heads and teachers' technology integration: Basis for the development of a training program," International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, vol. 3, no. 10, pp. 2074-2089, 2022, doi: 10.11594/ijmaber.03.10.19 DOI: https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.03.10.19
    53. V. Braun and V. Clarke, "Using thematic analysis in psychology," Qualitative Research in Psychology, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 77-101, 2006, doi: 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa DOI: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
    54. L. Stevens and C. Wrenn, "Exploratory (qualitative) research," in Concise Encyclopedia of Church and Religious Organization Marketing. Binghamton, NY, USA: Haworth Press, 2013, p. 53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203725443
    55. J. Golzar, S. Noor, and O. Tajik, "Convenience sampling," International Journal of Education and Language Studies, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 72-77, 2022, doi: 10.22034/ijels.2022.162981
    56. P. Hallinger and R. H. Heck, "Collaborative leadership and school improvement: Understanding the impact on school capacity and student learning," School Leadership and Management, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 95-110, 2010, doi: 10.1080/13632431003663214 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13632431003663214
    57. K. Leithwood and D. Jantzi, "Transformational school leadership for large-scale reform: Effects on students, teachers, and their classroom practices," School Effectiveness and School Improvement, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 201-227, 2006, doi: 10.1080/09243450600565829 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09243450600565829
    58. M. Fullan, The New Meaning of Educational Change, 5th ed. New York, NY, USA: Teachers College Press, 2015.