Integration of information and communications technology as a teaching and learning resource in primary teacher education in Kenya

Abstract

Kenya aspires to harness science, technology and innovations in order to be competitive both regionally and globally. This can be achieved more effectively if learners in teacher education training institutions are developed into critical citizens of the digital world. Teachers should be prepared to use information and communication technology (ICT) as a teaching and learning resource. An innovation in education that is not backed by the teacher is bound to fail. Therefore, the main concern of this paper was to investigate whether primary school teachers in Kenya were prepared during pre-service training to use ICT as a teaching and learning tool. Case study and content analysis methodologies were adopted. Data were gathered using questionnaires. It was found that the primary teacher education (PTE) syllabus and the teachers’ guide were not designed to develop trainees’ skills in the use of ICT as a teaching and learning resource, and that the computer literacy skills of the tutors and the trainees were low. It is recommended that the PTE syllabus should be revised, and ICT be treated as a teaching and learning resource. Both tutors and students should be equipped with computer literacy skills, and the skills to use the computer as a teaching and learning resource.