Information And Communication Technologies In Education: Availability And Uptake In Yenagoa Metropolis, Bayelsa State Of NIGERIA

Author: 
Ighedose, L. O. and Ighedose, U.A

The importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has become so strong in contemporary times. A descriptive survey, the research assessed availability of ICT devices and uptake by teachers in secondary schools in Yenagoa metropolis and make recommendations.43 mathematics teachers were purposively selected for the study; data were collected by questionnaire that has a reliability co-efficient of 0.73 and structured interview. These were cross-tabulated and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Mean scores cum percentages were reported. M = 1.5 and M = 3.0 were preset as bases for rejection or non-rejection of computed mean scores for availability and uptake of a device respectively. More male respondents (77%) than female respondents (23%) and more mathematics teachers in private schools (60%) than in public schools (40%) were reported. There were more teachers with a University degree (79%) than those with lower qualification in the study. White board/markers and scientific calculators reported high availability (M = 1.7) and uptake (M = 3.4). Desk and laptop computers, mathematics game devices, audio-visual devices, as well as projector/screen (M = 1.4 & M = 2.5) reported poor availability and uptake respectively. Poor electricity supply, ICT illiteracy, over-crowded classrooms were found as challenges to uptake of ICT devices.

Paper No: 
2613