The role of information technology in improving teaching and learning in eight selected secondary schools in Tanzania
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Date
2003
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study investigated the role, use and application of Information Technology (IT) in Improving the quality of Teaching and Learning and information access in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza in Tanzania. This survey both primary and secondary sources of data, including a structured questionnaire with open and close ended questions, face to face interviews and observations. Major findings of this study revealed that while most Secondary Schools in this study have IT facilities, yet they are not effectively utilized in improving the teaching and learning. The findings also revealed that further development of IT in those Schools was constrained by inadequate funding, lack of awareness of its potential benefits among top school decision makers, lack of trained IT personnel, weak infrastructure and lack of a policy to guide IT development its use and application. This study recommends the following: first, there is a need to introduce the use of Information Technology facilities in all Secondary Schools in Tanzania; second, Since Information Technology needs special skills to operate, there is a need to make efforts to train staff (Teachers) in each school so that the available IT facilities are not underutilized; third, Due to high costs involved in the acquisition of IT, the Government should give a hand of support by giving IT facilities or resources to buy IT facilities to Secondary Schools; fourth, there must be a clear national IT policy to guide the development of IT so as to reduce its arbitrary growth. Such policy must clearly set out standards, training requirements and funding alternatives for IT development; fifth, decision-makers should be educated on the importance of IT; and sixth, since the sample of this study covered a few Secondary Schools it is hereby recommended that a bigger study be conducted to cover more schools if not all in order to come out with a real picture of IT and its role in improving Teaching and Learning in Secondary Schools in Tanzania. Lastly this study suggests two areas for future research and these are one, Information Needs of Teachers and Students in Secondary Schools in Tanzania, and two, Information Seeking behavior of Teachers and Students in Secondary Schools in Tanzania.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF LB1028.3.T34K3)
Keywords
Information technology, Educational, Educational, Teaching (principles and practice), Tanzania
Citation
Kakana, A (2003) The role of information technology in improving teaching and learning in eight selected secondary schools in Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam