Factors Affecting Tutors’ Use of Information and Communication Technologies: A Case Study of Mukuju Core Primary Teachers’ College.

Abstract

OGOT OWINO JOE ALFRED (2006-MO93-10050) Factors Affecting Tutors’ Use of Information and Communication Technologies: A Case Study of Mukuju Core Primary Teachers’ College. This study assessed the factors that affect the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the classroom by tutors and students. It sought to investigate and establish the factors that influence the integration of computer knowledge in teaching and learning by tutors after Primary Teachers‟ Colleges were equipped with computers and tutors were trained in their use during the two Phases of Connect ED project between 2000 and 2005. Literature related to factors affecting use of ICTs in the classroom was reviewed. The study was conducted through a case study; data was collected in June 2010, using a questionnaire from 153 staff and student teachers purposively and randomly selected respectively from the available population and using a focus group discussion of 12 tutors purposively selected, analysed using themes and MS Excel, and presented in tables and pie charts. The study established that; competence of tutors and students, level of knowledge of the new tools and technologies of education, tutor‟s and students‟ attitudes, lack of Internet, and inappropriate resources affect the integration of ICT in teaching and learning, and tutors‟ and students networking with tutors and/or students from other countries. The study concluded that a number of factors affected the use of ICT by tutors for teaching and learning. It recommended that tutors and students should be trained and/or retrained in the use of the basic computer applications to enable them gain competence in computer literacy and in using computers as medium for learning and for teaching; that computers should be installed in institution libraries and classrooms or in subject rooms in addition to having them in the computer laboratory; that a lot of information should be provided to students and to tutors on computer, its benefits and limitations in order to help them cultivate favourable attitudes towards computers; that computer studies should be integrated in the national curricular; and that the Faculty of Teacher Education in Kyambogo University should teach ICT as an applied subject to prepare their products for the teaching profession. Key Words: Tutors, Information and Communication Technologies, Mukuju Core Primary Teachers’ College.