Assessment of the use of ICT in teaching and learning in Tabora and Shinyanga teachers’ colleges in Tanzania

Abstract

This study assesses the use of ICT in teaching and learning in Tabora and Shinyanga Teachers’ Colleges in Tanzania. The study aimed to investigate the state of availability of ICT facilities in public teachers’ colleges, identify ICT related activities undertaken by tutors and students in teaching and learning, examine barriers inhibiting tutors and students from using ICT in teaching and learning and explore strategies that can promote the use of ICT in teaching and learning in public teachers’ colleges. A total of 28 participants from the colleges were involved in the study. These included two College Principals, the two Heads of ICT Department, two ICT System Administrators, eight Tutors and fourteen Student teachers. The study employed qualitative approach involving the case study design. Data was gathered through semi structured interviews, document reviews, focus group discussions and observation checklists. Purposive, Snowball and Convenience sampling procedures were used to obtain the list of respondents and the collected data was analyzed by using qualitative techniques (content analysis). The findings of the study showed that teacher’s college tutors and student teachers were not using ICT in teaching and learning due to shortage of ICT facilities, lack of internet services, poor ICT infrastructure and lack of basic ICT skills. The study recommends that, public teachers’ colleges should be provided with ICT facilities and tutors and students should be provided with opportunities to undergo ICT training. It is recommended further that, existing ICT infrastructure should be rehabilitated and the ICT programs and resources for teachers ‘colleges should be ensured. It is further suggested that, further research can be conducted on the use of ICT in educational administration and management in all public teachers’ colleges and school