Use of ICT by students and teachers in senior high schools in the Sekondi Takoradi metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out how ICT was being used in the teaching and learning process in the senior high schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area. The study was a descriptive survey. Two sets of questionnaires with Cronbach coefficient alpha values of .756 and .686, respectively, and an observation checklist were used to collect the data from 6 randomly selected schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area. A total of 340 respondents in these schools, comprising 250 students and 90 teachers filled out the questionnaire. The return rates for the questionnaires were 92.2% for teachers and 98% for students. The study revealed that most of the senior high schools had only one computer laboratory and the number of computers was not sufficient, taking the population of the schools into consideration. Also, most of the computer laboratories were not connected to the Internet but most schools had the Encater programme on their computers which enabled the students to access information. ICT was being used for most of the important jobs in the schools, such as maintaining students’ records. Furthermore, application software such as Word, Excel, Power Point and Internet were taught in all the schools. Majority of teachers (68%) and students (75%) could make use of the computer and its accessories. However, most of the teachers did not use ICT in the actual teaching process. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the senior high schools should increase the number of computers in the laboratories. They should also pool resources and pay for their laboratories to be connected to the Internet by one service provider.