ASSESSMENT OF UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION, COMMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAJIADO NORTH SUB-COUNTY

Abstract

This study assessed the utilization of ICT tools in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Kajiado North Sub County. The study was prompted by the need to awaken learners and teachers to utilize the available ICT tools so as to promote more innovative, creative, independent and collaborative teaching and learning. This study was hinged on the presumption that there are at least few ICT tools in most schools which were not appropriately used by teachers and learners to promote learning. The study was guided by the following research questions; what ICT tools are available? How are these tools used in teaching and learning? What are the obstacles to learning and teaching through ICT? What are the benefits of teaching and learning through ICT? What are the recommendations on effective teaching and learning through ICT? The research designs used were phenomenology and cross-sectional. Ten public secondary schools were randomly sampled. Ten principals were sampled purposively. Simple random sampling technique was used to choose 104 teachers whereas stratified and simple random sampling was used to choose 150 students. Data was collected through questionnaires and interview guides. Each Quantitative and qualitative data was analyzed singly and results converged in interpretation. Quantitative data was analyzed and interpreted through statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software package version 20.0 and was summarized and presented by means that of percentages, means, tables and pie charts. Qualitative data was analyzed and presented using narrative description. The study found out that the most available ICT tools in most schools are computers and printers, that many teachers were trained on teaching through ICT and that there was limited utilization of ICT in teaching and learning among teachers and learners in most schools. Most teachers used computers and printers for filling in marks, printing exams and learning materials while most students used computers for research, typing and storing data. The findings revealed that lack of electricity or generators, inadequate tools and resources, in-adequate knowledge on teaching and learning through ICT and lack of internet connection were the main impediments to learning and teaching through ICT. The study recommended training of teachers and students on ICT, technical support and collaboration with other schools on ICT in education so as to facilitate effective teaching and learning through ICT. Based on the findings, the study recommended that education stakeholders, that is; the government, parents, teachers, local community and students should be involved in planning, training and appropriation of ICT tools and resources in schools.