ICT adoption in teaching and learning biology in secondary schools of Kalungu District, Uganda

Abstract

The Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda enhanced the use of ICT for teaching and learning by training of teachers and provision of equipment in some schools in Kalungu District. Despite that initiative improvement of Biology teaching and learning in secondary schools in Kalungu district is sluggish. This prompted the researcher to carry out this study whose objectives were to examine the availability of ICT resources; assess the accessibility of ICT resources and investigate the utilization of ICT resources during Biology lessons. Ten schools were selected for the study including 5 government aided schools and 5 private schools. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data from 330 respondents who included 10 administrators, 20 Biology teachers and 300 Senior Three students. The study revealed availability of some ICT resources for teaching mainly in government schools and these included computers for classroom learning, laptops, multi-media projectors, internet connectivity, mobile phone, interactive whiteboards and software for biology teaching. However there was limited accessibility for the few available ICT resources. Teachers had limited access to Multi-media projectors for class room learning, limited access to Internet connectivity services. Because of this utilization was low and this was coupled with negative attitude towards their use. The study concluded that availability of ICT resources does not ensure their accessibility and utilization though both teachers and students believe that utilization of ICT to teach Biology could improve the teaching and learning process. The researcher recommended that the Ministry of Education should develop a positive attitude towards effective accessibility of ICT resources to both students and teachers. Training teachers on pedagogical integration of ICT in Biology teaching and providing internet connectivity to schools.