Factors that influence the use of Information and Communication Technology among Ghanaian shs science teachers and students: The case of Atwima Kwawoma district

Abstract

The prime purpose of this study was to find out factors that influence the use ICT among Ghanaian science teachers and SHS students with principal focus on SHS in Atwima Kwawoma district. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 40 Science teachers and 200 students from Afia kobi Ampem Girls SHS, Trede SHS, Twedie Vocational and Technical SHS in the Atwima Kwawoma District of Ashanti region in Ghana. A questionnaire instrument was used to elicit information from 240 respondents. The highest response was for 17 teachers indicating that 21-30 of computers on the average were in good use in their schools. The next highest response was that of 10 for the range of 20-29 computers being connected to the internet. This response accounted for 25% of the total responses obtained from the 40 teachers. Inadequate time to prepare teaching and learning activities with the computer and inadequate ICT infrastructure in schools were the major perceived barriers mostly reported by respondents. It is recommended that Heads of the various SHS should organize in-service training in professional development courses related to the integration of ICT in teaching and learning Science for their teachers.