Teachers’ Readiness in Integrating Information and Communication Technology in Teaching and Learning in Public Primary Schools in Gatanga Sub - County, Kenya.
Abstract
Integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a critical factor in
ensuring improved quality education. Despite the many benefits that are known to be brought
by integrating ICT in teaching and learning, studies have shown that integration remains low
especially in public primary schools. This research investigated teachers’ readiness in
integrating ICT in teaching and learning in public primary schools in Gatanga Sub-County.
The research was guided by the following objectives; to assess teachers’ level of training in
ICT and integration of ICT in teaching and learning, to find out teachers’ extent of use of ICT
and integration of ICT in teaching and learning and to determine the challenges teachers are
facing in integrating ICT in teaching and learning in public primary schools in Gatanga Sub-
County. Theoretically, the study was based on the “Technology Acceptance Model” (TAM).
In this model, technology acceptability is determined by perceived usefulness and perceived
ease of use. The study adopted descriptive survey design where all head teachers and all
teachers in public primary schools in Gatanga Sub County formed the target population. The
researcher used stratified random sampling to select categories of the schools, head teachers
and teachers who participated in the study while simple random sampling was used to select a
total sample of 110 respondents made up of both head teachers and teachers out of the total
population of 1097 teachers. The study sample therefore comprised of 110 teachers where 8
were head teachers, and 102 were classroom teachers. Questionnaires, interview guides, and
observation checklist were used to collect data. Piloting of the study was done in two schools
which were not included in the actual study. Piloting ensured that study instruments were
reliable for the main study. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the
help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data was analyzed
thematically in line with study objectives. Tables and graphs presented results of the study.
From the study, the researcher concluded that teachers in Gatanga Sub County were not ready
to roll out the government’s policy on integration of ICT in teaching and learning. Several
factors emerged as having an influence in the readiness of teachers in integrating ICT in
teaching and learning as follows; lack of proper training in ICT, low extent of use of ICT in
teaching and learning and various challenges facing teachers in integrating ICT in teaching and
learning. The researcher recommends the following; the government should enable teachers to
access proper training in ICT and specifically peg the training with integration of ICT in
teaching and learning, the government should equip schools with relevant ICT equipment to
increase extent of use of ICTs in teaching and learning and at the same time assist teachers and
schools to overcome challenges affecting integration of ICT in teaching and learning. The study
findings are significant as they are expected to enable curriculum developers, makers of
educational policies and other education stakeholders to make practical decisions on
implementation of integration of ICT in teaching and learning and at the same time form a base
for other studies.