Mwanda, Gideon Magak2017-04-032017-04-032015http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/15488A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Award of the Degree of Master of Education of Kenyatta UniversityThe purpose of this study was to find out the extent of integration of computer technology into the teaching and learning of Biology in secondary schools of Rachuonyo South Sub-County. The study was conducted along the following five objectives: One, to determine the extent to which secondary schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County were equipped with Computers. Two, establish the nature of computer knowledge and skills Biology teachers in Rachuonyo South Sub-County had. Three, establish the extent to which Biology teachers used computer technology applications for teaching and learning. Four, to find out the challenges Biology teachers faced in integrating computer technology into teaching and learning process. Lastly, to determine the attitude of Biology teachers towards integration of computer technology into teaching and learning process. The target population consisted of all secondary schools and all trained Biology teachers' in Rachuonyo South Sub-County. However, only15 secondary schools and 56 Biology teachers were sampled to participate in the study. The 15 schools were purposively sampled to participate in the study because they had electricity supply. All trained Biology teachers who were teaching in the schools selected were purposively sampled to participate in the study. The teachers' knowledge and ability to use computer technology formed the independent variable for the study while teachers' frequency of utilization of different computer applications for personal growth and in the teaching and learning process formed the dependent variable. School environmental factors like computer availability, vision and mission statements, curriculum support for computer use and technical assistance in computer technology were considered mediating variables. Data for the study was gathered using two instruments namely a questionnaire and an observation check list. In analysing the data, descriptive statistics was used to present the result in figures and frequency tables. The study was delimited to use of computer technology only as a productivity tool to help teachers and students perform various tasks. Findings of the study revealed the following: One, most schools in the Sub-County had few computers, most of which were in computer labs and offices; two, Biology teachers of Rachuonyo South Sub-County have inadequate training on use of computer technology applications; three, low usage of computer technology by the Biology teachers for personal growth and for instructional purposes other than for communication and typing. Four, the main challenge in integration of computer technology into the instruction process in Rachuonyo South Sub-County is lack of computer facilities in schools. Lastly Biology teachers of Rachuonyo South Sub-County generally have positive attitude towards use of computer technology for instruction purposes. In response to these findings, the study came up with the following three recommendations for policy. One, schools should acquire more computers and to increase their accessibility to the teachers. Two, teachers should be given adequate training on use of computer technology at pre-service and in-service levels. Three, schools should provide teachers with laptops which they can carry and use in preparing lessons at home and also hire computer technicians to assist teacher when need arises. Lastly, the Kenya Government should put in place a policy framework to guide secondary schools on the path to effective computer integration into the instruction process.enThesis