An Exploration of the Challenges faced by Rural Teachers and Learners in the use of ICT tools in the Teaching and Learning of Ordinary Level Chemistry.

Author

Muchapararwa, Z.

Title

An Exploration of the Challenges faced by Rural Teachers and Learners in the use of ICT tools in the Teaching and Learning of Ordinary Level Chemistry.

Abstract

The research project was about challenges faced by the teachers and students in using ICT tools and software to teach and learn Ordinary level Chemistry. 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

Challenges

Rural Teachers and Learners

ICT tools

Teaching and Learning

Ordinary Level Chemistry

Supervisor

Mr Shasha