Factors that influence ICT integration in the teaching and learning of integrated science at the senior high school

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate ICT integration and its use in the teaching and learning of integrated science in selected senior high schools in the Agona East district within the Central Region. A descriptive survey design approach was employed in the study involving four schools. The target population for the study comprised all senior high schools in the Central Region of Ghana. The accessible population however consisted of senior high schools in the Agona East District of the Central Region. One district science coordinator, one hundred and twenty students and sixty science teachers in four senior high schools in the Agona East District formed the research subjects for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview and informal observation as instruments. The teachers’ and students’ questionnaires had reliability indices of 0.87 and 0.91 respectively. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The results gathered from the four schools involved in the study revealed that though a few of the schools have made progress and had some resources to promote ICT use in science teaching and learning most of them were not well equipped with ICT resources. Teachers indicated that the unavailability of ICT resources, lack of training and inadequate support from the stakeholders of education in Ghana were some of the challenges impeding ICT integration in science teaching and learning. The study recommended that the training needs of science teachers must be addressed immediately. Additionally, investments should be made by the districts directorate of education towards equipping schools with ICT resources by addressing the individual needs of schools at the senior high school level to promote ICT integration in pedagogy. The teacher is an important component in ensuring a successful integration of ICT in the teaching and learning of integrated science therefore based on the findings of the study, it was suggested that a study on the ICT training needs of science teachers in the research area should be conducted.