Preparedness for adoption of information communication and technology in instruction in secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

Information Communication and Technology (ICT) plays an important role in education institutions by facilitating and improving the teaching and learning process to be in line withiv the information technology age. In spite of having many studies undertaken on the use of ICTs in education, there is lack of a major current study specifically undertaken to address preparedness for ICT adoption in secondary schools in Kenya. This study was set to investigate whether schools in Bungoma County were ready for ICT adoption in terms of resources, infrastructure, teacher competencies and challenges encountered in preparation for ICT adoption in school instruction. The study was guided by the Adoption and Diffusion Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model. Based on pragmatism paradigm, the study was a survey carried out in Bungoma County. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data from school Principals, teachers and ICT specialists. A sample of 102 schools was drawn from a population of 342 secondary schools in the county with 483 participants. Instruments for data collection were questionnaire, interview and observation schedule. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequency distributions and percentages. The study found out that there were a variety of ICT resources in schools but some teachers lacked proper competencies to effectively use ICT resources during classroom instruction. The study found out that schools in urban areas were better prepared to adopt ICTs for instruction unlike those in rural areas. However, despite a few challenges, all schools were making commendable effort to adopt ICT as an innovative tool for instruction. Therefore, the researcher recommended that ICT resources should be availed in all schools and teachers prepared thoroughly and continuously on practical use of ICTs during instruction. All stakeholders should be sensitized on the importance and use of these technologies in the instructional process.