Exploring teachers' use of Information and Communication Technology in their teaching

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in their teaching. The study explored the ways in which teachers are utilising new technologies in three schools that have been integrated with ICT in the Nkangala district (Mpumalanga). ICT has largely been integrated in South African private and public schools. This study used a framework for integration of technology known as Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. The research design was a qualitative case study that followed descriptive and explorative approaches. Convenient sampling was used where data was collected through interviews, written documents and field notes. Six educators amongst the teachers who were trained on how to use ICT were interviewed. The data was analysed using Atlas.ti. The study discovered that not all teachers are using ICT effectively in their classrooms. There are still teachers who believe that ICT is time consuming. It has also been discovered that teachers still need support and training on how to use ICT for teaching and learning, and how to use technology to teach the content or to develop their pedagogy. The study concluded that there is still a gap between education and technology and that a lot still needs to be done in order to implement ICT effectively in education. The study recommended that the Department of Education together with schools, need to fully equip schools with ICT resources and to train educators on how to use technologies for teaching and learning.