Exploring the challenges faced by rural teachers and learners in the use of ICT tools for the teaching and learning of Chemistry at ordinary level.
- Author
- Chitsaka, A.
- Title
- Exploring the challenges faced by rural teachers and learners in the use of ICT tools for the teaching and learning of Chemistry at ordinary level.
- Abstract
-
The research project looked at challenges faced by the teachers and students in using ICT tools
and software to teach and learn Chemistry at Ordinary level. A case study approach was used.
A population of six (6) Ordinary level Science teachers and one hundred and sixty (160)
ordinary level Chemistry students. The researcher used a sample size of four (4) teachers and
sixty (60) students. The research participants were selected so as to provide information
regarding their experience on the use of ICT tools and its use so as to facilitate teaching and
learning at their school. Teachers were interviewed so as to get information about the level of
ICT tools and software knowledge and skills they held and if they understood their usage.
Questionnaires were for the students and it was meant to get information about the students’
competency level and to find out if they had the knowledge and skills to use these tools and
integrate them in their studies. Observation checklist was also used so as to gather information
about how and when the teachers and students used ICT tools and software in teaching and
learning process. The research project’s major findings were that some teachers lacked the
knowledge and skills to use ICT tools to teach. Some teachers had the knowhow but lacked the
confidence and the technological expertise of using it in the Chemistry class. The students were
ICT competent. The school under study had the appropriate ICT tools but they were not
adequate to teach and learn Chemistry. The researcher concluded that Chemistry teachers at
the school under study were not well equipped to incorporate the use of ICT into their
Chemistry lessons. The students took great care of their studies hence they knew and used ICT
tools to learn. Findings showed that the barriers to lack of technology were due to lack of
access to the technology, adequate and appropriate resources. The academic and professional
recommendations were that since the teachers had limited skills in the use of ICT, staff
development for teachers had to be mounted. Teachers’ Colleges and Universities should also
train teachers’ in using ICT tools and make it compulsory to all. Recommendations for further
research were that more similar research study needs to be conducted at a wider range so as
to reveal the experience of the teachers and students on the challenges they face in the use of
ICT tools and software in the teaching and learning of Chemistry at Ordinary level. - Date
- 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- ICT
- Teachers and learners
- Supervisor
- Mr Shasha
- Media
-
CHITSAKA AUDREY VIMBAI