PRACTICES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF ICT INTEGRATION IN LEARNING-TEACHING PROCESS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF BALE ZONE AT OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the practices, challenges and opportunities of ICT integration in learning-teaching process in secondary schools of Bale Zone at Oromia Regional State. In order to effect this purpose, about the current practices of ICT integration in learning-teaching process in secondary schools, challenges encountered while integrating into learning- teaching activities, the opportunities that the schools have to expand ICT integration in learning teaching and the possible solutions to improve the current status of ICT integration in learning–teaching process in secondary schools of Bale Zone. Depending on the problem of the research, descriptive survey method was employed to analyze the data. To select sample secondary schools, a purposive sampling technique was employed. Twelve ICT teachers, 6 principals and 6 woreda ICT experts were selected as representative sample using available sampling technique while 32 department heads were selected by purposive sampling technique and 185 students were selected by using stratified random sampling technique. Information was solicited from the sample respondents through questionnaire, interview and document analysis and then analyzed using frequencies, percentages and t- test by using SPSS v.20. The data gathered through interview and open ended questionnaire were analyzed through narration and interpretation. The findings of the study were, the educational level of majority ICT teachers were diploma TVET (level III) which is not going with standard set by MoE, they were not well experienced and not received training on pedagogy. The major challenges identified were lack of computer, internet, plasma TV, equitable budget allocation, ICT laboratory class, furniture, appropriate skilled man power and absence of laboratory technicians in the school which lead ICT not to integrate in learning teaching process. Thus, to improve the situation, it is advisable to supply sufficient facilities through community involvement, allocating budget from government and different NGO’s. To improve capacity building, majority of respondents need training regarding creating charts, e-mailing, creating graphs and word processing. It needs to provide hands extensive and different short term training. Regarding opportunities, females were fall behind due to lack of spare time to practice in the schools and money to have computer at their home. School principals and teachers should be encouraging them to strengthen equity in the school by establishing females ICT club