A framework for integrating ICT in the teaching and learning process in primary teacher training colleges in Kenya

Abstract

ICT was only recently introduced as a subject in PTTCs in 2004. The Ministry of Education (MOE) through the Kenya Education Sector Support Programme (KESSP) came up with plans to set up ICT infrastructure and provide personnel in order to implement the plans. The problem with KESSP program was that it placed emphasis on providing infrastructure but did not consider teachers' skills, attitudes and beliefs and policy and support in integrating ICT in PTTCs. This study set out to develop a framework for integrating Information and Communication Technology (lCT) in teaching and learning in Primary Teacher Training Colleges (PTTCs) in Kenya. It also sought to determine the success of the program by finding out: The prevailing ICT skills levels among tutors and students; tutors' and students' attitudes towards ICT integration; the provision of ICT Infrastructure and ICT policy and support on ICT integration in PTTCs. This was to enable the researcher come up with a framework that would be used to integrate ICT in the teaching/learning process in PTTCs. The main data collection method that was.deployed is likert type scaling questionnaires. Interviews were also carried out to capture information not obtainable from the Questionnaires. The study found that that both lecturers and students had moderate levels of ICT skills and that ICT skills have the greatest impact on ICT Integration. In addition it established that there is not sufficient ICT infrastructure in PTTCs. It notes that ICT policy and support is just fairly good in the PTTCs. There are positive attitudes towards ICT by both lecturers and students. However these positive attitudes do not have a lot of impact on ICT integration. The study recommends a framework that emphasizes on imparting more ICT skills on tutors as this would have the greatest impact on integration. Provision of ICT infrastructure is still insufficient and therefore needs to be looked into. Strengthening of ICT Policy and support should be done as this is the weakest factor among the four factors considered.