THE ROLE OF ICT IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Nigeria like other developing countries is still in the initial stages of integrating ICT in teaching and learning process in the education sector. Though it is limited by a number of barriers, there are many factors influencing the use of ICT to make teaching and learning effective in schools of learning in Nigeria. ICT is an electronic means of capturing, processing, storing, communicating information. The use of ICT in the classroom teaching and learning is very important for it provides opportunities for teachers and students to operate, store, manipulate, and retrieve information, encourage independent and active learning, and self-responsibility for learning such as distance learning, motivate teachers and students to continue using learning outside school hours, plan and prepare lessons and design materials such as course content delivery and facilitate sharing of resources, expertise and advice. This versatile instrument has the capability not only of engaging students in instructional activities to increase their learning, but of helping them to solve complex problems to enhance their cognitive skills (Jonnasen & Reeves, 2016). Pernia (2018) defines ICT as technologies used to communicate in order to create, manage and distribute information. She adds that a broad definition of ICTs includes computers, the internet, telephone, television, radio and audio-visual equipment. She further explains that ICT is any device and application used to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information and knowledge. Digital technology is included in this definition as services and applications used for communication and information processing functions associated with these devices.

Generally, three objectives are distinguished for the use of ICT in education (Plomp et al, 2016):

1. The use of ICT as objects of study; refers to learning about ICT, which enables students to use ICT in their daily life.
2. The use of ICT as aspect of discipline or profession; refers to the development of ICT skills for professional or vocational purposes.
3. (iii) The use of ICT as medium for teaching and learning; focuses on the use of ICT for the enhancement of the teaching and learning process Drent & Meelissen, 2017).

It is a fact that teachers are at the centre of curriculum change and they control the teaching and learning process. Therefore, they must be able to prepare young people for the society in which the competency to use ICT to acquire and process information is very important.

Several studies argue that the use of new technologies in the classroom is essential for providing opportunities for students to learn to operate in an information age. It is evident, Yelland (2011) as argued that traditional educational environments do not seem to be suitable for preparing learners to function or be productive in the workplaces of today’s society. She claimed that organizations that do not incorporate the use of new technologies in institutions cannot seriously claim to prepare their students for life in the twenty-first century. This argument is supported by Grimus [2010], who pointed out that “by teaching ICT skills in educational institutions the students are prepared to face future developments based on proper understanding” (p. 362).

 ICT originally is applied to serve as a means of improving efficiency in the educational process. Furthermore, it has been shown that the use of ICT in education can help improve memory retention, increase motivation and generally deepens understanding [Dede, 2018)]. ICT can also be used to promote collaborative learning, including role playing, group problem solving activities and articulated projects [Forcheri & Molfino, 2010]. ICT allow the establishment of rich networks of interconnections and relations between individuals. Some authors maintain that technology has the power to change the ways students learn and professors teach [Kozma, 2012]. However, the effectiveness of ICT despite all the accrued benefits needs proper studies especially in developing countries like Nigeria where a lot of factors are still militating against the use of ICT.

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Basic Technology as a subject has been affected by ICTs, which have undoubtedly affected the teaching and learning of the subject (Yusuf, 2013). A great deal of research has proven the benefits to the quality of teaching and learning (Al-Ansari, 2016). ICTs have the potential to innovate, accelerate, enrich, and deepen skills, to motivate and engage students, to help relate school experience to work practices, create economic viability for tomorrow’s workers, as well as strengthening teaching and helping schools change (Davis and Tearle, 2012;). However, this research will examine the effectiveness of ICT on teaching and learning of English Language.

1.3   OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major purpose of this study is to examine the role of ICT in the teaching and learning of English Language in secondary schools. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. To ascertain the level of ICT use on teaching and learning of English Language
2. To examine the effectiveness of ICT on teaching and learning of English Language.
3. To identify the factors limiting the use of ICT in teaching and learning of English Language.

1.4   RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the level of ICT use on teaching and learning of English Language?
2. What is the effectiveness of ICT on teaching and learning of English Language?
3. What are the factors limiting the use of ICT in teaching and learning of English Language?

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

HO1: ICT use is not effective in teaching and learning of English Language.

HA: ICT use is effective in teaching and learning of English Language.

1.6   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of the study is centred on the students, teachers, educational planner, administrators, government and the general public.  There are a lot of benefits to derive on the effective use of ICT in teaching and learning of English Language.

The findings of the study will encourage teachers and students to develop skills and competencies in ICT technologies for teaching and learning in schools.

Curriculum planners will be made to design curriculum that will implement effective approaches to ICT technology driven education at the 21st century in schools syllabus contents which will improve students’ skills and competencies for employability and self sustainability.

        The study will provide improved performance in terms of teaching and learning abilities of teachers and. It will also promote conveniences and flexibility of students through self paced and time, as well as increased access to best quality instructors through sharing of knowledge across borders, via online internet connectivity.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY   

The scope of this study is on the evaluation of the use of ICT materials in schools with a view of determining if it is effective for teaching and learning of English Language. Therefore, the study will cover the secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State while the teacher and students of senior secondary schools will be involved in determining the effectiveness of ICT on teaching and learning of English Language.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

This section does with significant terms that were used in the study.

ICT integration refers to introduction, consolidation and full use of electronic means of capturing, processing, storing and disseminating information.

Information and Communication Technology refers to technologies including computers, telecommunication and audio-visual systems that enable the collection, processing, transmission and delivery of information and communication services to users.

Information Communication Technology Literacy refers to the ability to accept, learn and adapt the new technology and make use of its opportunities.

Information Society refers to social, business and educational environment where individuals and organizations communicate and access the world’s commercial, education and entertainment resources over a universal network linking them together.

Infrastructure refers to an integrated system of facilities used to provide one or more ICT services such as computers or internet.

Integration refers to incorporation of technology in teaching that involves learners.

Integrated computer assisted instructions refers to a technique whereby teacher instructions supplement the computer programme

E-learning: refers to the purposeful use of electronic systems or computer in support of learning process.

Computer: Refers to Electronic machine operated under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data (input) manipulate data according to specific rules (process) produce results (out-put) and store the results for future use.

Computer Literacy: Refers to people being able to use computer technology to facilitate the completion of necessary tasks and the solution of problems.