The influence of using mobile phone in BridgeIT project in teaching and learning at primary schools in Tanzania: a case of Dar es Salaam region
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Date
2013
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of using Mobile Phone in BridgeIT Project in teaching and learning at Primary education level, using the case study of sampled Primary Schools in Dar es Salaam Region. The study rested on the following objectives; To assess the availability of BridgeIT materials and its relation with the primary school syllabus in Mathematics, Science and Life Skills; To explore how BridgeIT implementation affect the teacher performance; To assess whether BridgeIT has provided any increase in learning gains among pupils and to determine the challenges facing the use of BridgeIT in teaching and learning. The study deployed qualitative research approach and embraced the case study design. The study respondents included Teachers of Mathematics, Science and Life Skill subjects. Head Teachers and Pupils participants were obtained through purposive and snowballing sampling procedures. The content analysis method was employed to analyze the collected data, because they are qualitative in nature. Findings drawn from the study objectives revealed that, the available infrastructure do not support regular teaching and learning in every surveyed school. The study disclosed that Teachers and Pupils had limited time to access BridgeIT material. However, the Primary School syllabus and BridgeIT materials were related. The use of mobile technology proved to have increased Teacher performance on subject competence as a result of application of new methods of teaching. There was an increase of learning gains among Pupils; it helped pupils to learn better as it provides opportunity for pupils to watch live action for experiment and pictures that resulted into long term content retention in pupil’s memories. This increase the classroom interaction and motivation that give opportunity to learn. In turn the pupils’ performance showed increase. There were few challenges such as overcrowding classes, insufficient funds and facilities, teachers transfer and lack of training. The study concluded that there was a need to improve BridgeIT infrastructure. Provide sustainable training and retain trained Teachers in Schools implementing the project. It is recommended that the government has to adopt measures to improve the mobile technology infrastructure in Schools. Teacher training institutions have to incorporate Mobile Phone technology in the curriculum to enable teacher to acquire competence on the use of technology. On job trainings, seminars and workshops need to be offered to teachers. On the other hand pupils right from the primary school and secondary school have to be offered opportunities to engage on Mobile Phone technology themselves the for learning purposes, to open up opportunities to engage in education inside and outside the school.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class Mark
(THSEAF LB1044.84T34J85)
Keywords
Mobile communication systems in education, Primary schools, Mobile phone, Information technology, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Citation
Juma, S. A (2013) The influence of using mobile phone in BridgeIT project in teaching and learning at primary schools in Tanzania: a case of Dar es Salaam region, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.