Use of Information and Communication Technology for Teaching and Learning in Ghanaian Universities: Case of University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The advent of ICT and its integration into our educational system especially at the tertiary level aims to improve the process of teaching and learning and yet it has been very difficult for lecturers to do this. The current study therefore focuses on the use of ICT in the teaching and learning process in Ghana. This study, employing the case study design, sampled 237 respondents comprising 37 lecturers and 200 undergraduate students using multiple sampling procedures. Survey instruments were used to collect data from the University of Cape Coast to ascertain the use of ICT in the university. The study results showed that the university provides some ICT teaching and learning resources even though these resources are not adequate. It also showed that lecturers‟ prior knowledge and skills in ICT best predicted the extent of ICT integration (by lecturers) in the teaching process (β= .593, p = 0.010). Finally the study revealed that there is a positive significant relationship (r = 0.713; α = 0.05 > p = 0.005) between ICT related courses (ICTRCs) and students‟ competencies in ICT. The findings suggest that on the part of students, ICTRCs are helping them to improve their ICT skills and knowledge even though the relationship between the variables was found not statistically significant. Based on these findings, it was suggested, among other things, that the computer centre of the university of Cape Coast be adequately resourced to develop instructional materials, and provide computer-based tutorials for lecturers and students to equip them effectively to be able to integrate ICT into their teaching