The Role of Digital Media Applications in Enhancing Educational Activities and their Impact on the Teaching and Learning Process in Public Schools: A Field Study of School Principals in the Al-Salawi Area of Benghazi City

Abstract

The study aimed to monitor the actual reality of the role of digital media applications in enhancing educational activities and their reflection on the educational process from the perspective of school principals within the jurisdiction of the Educational Services Office – Al-Salawi Branch in Benghazi. It also sought to identify the most frequently utilized digital media applications in educational activities within public schools included in the study, determine the areas of application of these modern technologies in educational activities and their impact on the learning process, clarify the professional and ethical challenges that hinder the development and enhancement of educational activities in public schools, identify the factors that support these applications in promoting educational and instructional activities, and assess their contribution to achieving the objectives of educational activities. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the most interactive topics presented in educational activities supported by digital media applications from the viewpoint of school principals. This research is classified as a descriptive study that employed the survey method to answer its questions. It was applied to (97) school principals within the Al-Salawi Municipal Branch in Benghazi. Thirteen model schools established by the Libya Reconstruction and Development Fund were excluded, as they had not yet been assigned principals at the time of questionnaire distribution. A comprehensive enumeration approach was used, where the number of principals in basic education schools reached (40), and those in secondary education schools reached (57). The study aimed to explore the effectiveness of digital media applications in enhancing educational activities (curricular and extracurricular) and their prospective role in supporting the educational process in Libyan society. The study relied on two main data collection tools: a questionnaire and unstructured interviews. The most important findings of the study are as follows: The results indicated that school principals in both basic and secondary education stages possess sufficient awareness, understanding, and conviction regarding digital media applications and their effective role in improving the educational process for both students and teachers. The findings revealed that digital media applications contribute significantly to achieving the objectives of educational activities, as confirmed by the majority of respondents. The most commonly used digital media applications in educational activities were identified as social media platforms, media content, live streaming platforms, and educational applications. Other tools such as mobile applications, electronic newspapers and magazines, editing applications, and websites were reported as less applicable for supporting educational activities. The study showed that the areas of employing digital media applications in educational activities have a high positive impact on the educational process and the overall educational system in Libya. It emphasized the necessity of establishing strategies for employing digital media applications in educational activities, as they have a significant role in developing and supporting the educational and educational-media processes efficiently and effectively. The study confirmed the prominent role of digital media applications in enhancing educational activities at both the basic and secondary education levels in public schools within the Al-Salawi Branch in Benghazi. The results also indicated the presence of several professional and ethical challenges that hinder the employment of digital media applications in educational activities. Furthermore, the study found that the supporting factors for employing digital media applications in educational activities were generally low in aspects such as digital infrastructure, community awareness, continuous evaluation, training and qualification, financial and administrative support, educational content design, and curriculum development, while student awareness and participation received a high level of support according to respondents.