Assessment of perceived attributes and instructional use of information communication technology by lecturers in technical training institutions in Kenya

Abstract

In the past ten years, Information Communication Technology (ICT) has become an essential part of our learning and development in education. Today it is no longer an option to learn the basic skills of ICT but rather a prerequisite for academic qualifications. The rapid development of these new technologies coupled with the worldwide challenge to educate all children has led to a global reform and development of teacher education and motivated educational institutions to redesign and restructure their teaching methods to enable students equip themselves for the future. The main purpose of this study therefore was to explore the relationship between Perceived Attributes and instructional use of ICT by Lecturers in Technical Training institutions in Kenya. The specific objectives of this study were, to establish the relationship between Perceived Attributes (ease of use, usefulness, cultural relevance, and government policy) and instructional use of ICT. The study adopted the quantitative research design. A sample size of 629 respondents was drawn from a total population of 2909 Lecturers in Technical Training institutions in Kenya. The sampling frame was obtained from a list provided by the Ministry of Education Science and Technology 2013. Data was collected using questionnaires. Piloting of the research tools was conducted and the sample obtained was subjected to the Cronbach‟s alpha. The quantitative data obtained from the administrated questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The study determined that ICT use has created a new platform for instruction. The findings also indicated that use of ICT by lecturers‟ greatly improved instruction. The study found out that; use of ICT improved ones relationship with others, and was fashionable. The study further found out that ICT policies enhanced use of ICT. The study concludes that perceived attributes are critical in instructional use of ICT. The study recommends that higher education qualifications are to be preferred for lecturers as it enables skilled use of available ICT technology. The study recommends the provision of Cisco Networking Academy Programme to provide more ICT exposure to students and staff. The study recommends that lecturers be encouraged to use ICT to access current and upto date information resources. The study recommends that the government should operationalize, the ICT lecturers competencies framework to enable lecturers have policy direction when planning for competence training. Lecturers are encouraged to use ICT for instructional purposes because it is the trend in modern communication, and has globalized the world. Lastly, the study recommends use of ICT for instruction as it greatly improves the instruction.