Factors Influencing Integration of Information and Communication Technologies in Public Primary Teacher Training Colleges in Central Region of Kenya

Abstract

The growth of the global economy and the information based society has pressured education systems around the world, to use technology, to teach students the knowledge and skills they need. This study investigated factors influencing integration of ICT in Public Primary Teacher Education. The objectives of the study were to investigate the extent to which Public Primary Teacher Training Colleges(PPTTC) in the central region of Kenya have integrated ICT in teaching and learning process, the challenges facing the integration of ICT in Primary Teacher Education and to establish the factors influencing integration of ICT in primary teacher education. The study was carried out in four (4) PPTTCs located in the central region of Kenya with a target population of 261 academic staff from which 176 respondents were picked using proportionate sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. It was analyzed using descriptive statistics: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 and presented with help of frequency table, graphs and percentages. The study found that the factors that influenced integration of ICT in the primary teacher training colleges were: adequacy of internet connectivity, adequacy of computer hardware, adequacy of computer software, maintenance of ICT infrastructure, and training of personnel in ICT, teacher workload, teacher gender, teacher age, and presence of ICT policy and adequacy of funds. The study therefore recommends that PPTTCs should develop strategies to identify strengths and weakness of various technological resources as well as an evaluation framework. Teacher trainers should also be provided with regular trainings and seminars on how to integrate ICT in teaching and learning process and adopt policies that enhance integration of ICT in the teaching and learning process.