ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVE INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GATUNDU SOUTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The study investigated the effective integration of Information and Communication Technology in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Gatundu South Sub-county in Kiambu County, Kenya. A combination of cross-sectional survey and phenomenological research designs were used. Probability sampling was employed to select a sample of 170 participants comprising 118 Form 3 and 4 students and 35 non-computer teachers. Non-probability sampling was used to select 7 computer teachers and 10 principals. Questionnaires, interview and observation guides were used to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and results presented by way of frequencies, graphs and charts. The study findings revealed that there was poor access to ICT facilities and low uptake of computer studies by students while majority of the teachers lacked professional training in pedagogical use of ICT in teaching and learning. Students were found to use computers mainly out of school for computer games, internet and rarely for research or doing homework while teachers and principals used them for setting examinations, school records management and registration of students for national examination. Most schools had limited number of computers and lacked dedicated computer teachers coupled with high cost of internet connection, unreliable power supply, and overloaded curriculum. The study recommends that the government should train all new and practising teachers and laboratory technicians countrywide on how to use ICT in subject teaching and learning; construct new and expand existing computer laboratories, purchase more computers and other ICT resources, provide on-line teaching and learning materials, reliable power supply and internet connection services to all schools in order to meet the challenges of new educational technologies in Kenya.