Factors influencing the impact of Information and Communication Technology resource usage on academic performance: a case study of public secondary schools in Nakuru municipality

Abstract

Nakuru Municipality Public Secondary Schools have been consistently performing dismally in the National Examinations, despite various interventions undertaken by the Ministry of Education to improve the situation. Studies conducted in Britain, America, and Malaysia had established beyond reasonable doubt that effective use of ICT in Education and training can help in raising the academic performance. These studies however, had not successfully addressed the factors influencing the impact of Information and Communication Technology resource usage on academic performance in schools.

This study therefore aimed to establish these factors. Owing to the fact that Nakuru is a cosmopolitan town, the findings of this study were instrumental in giving a real picture of how ICT resources usage influences academic performance in Kenyan schools. The research targeted all public schools in Nakuru Municipality. It used descriptive survey design because of qualitative and quantitative data obtained. Data collection heavily relied on questionnaires, observation schedules and content analysis of the secondary data. Random and purposive sampling was used to get the desired samples.

The data collected was processed, coded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel, 2007 and Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The factors identified and analyzed by this study were; Students' and Teachers' low proficiency levels in ICT resource usage, negative attitudes towards ICT resource usage in academic work, low level of ICT resource usage in academic work, and ineffectiveness of ICT resource usage due to low levels of ICT literacy, poor management, and lack of infrastructure.

Other significant factors were; non-usage of ICT resources for academic purposes, restricted access to ICT facilities, usage of outdated software, and students' tendency of accessing irrelevant non academic internet sites. The researcher recommended; formulation of a clear ICT policy for schools,introduction of a compulsory ICT awareness program, refresher course in ICT for all teachers, full integration of ICT to curriculum, introduction of ICT clubs and fairs in schools, internet connection in all schools and introduction of e-learning programs .