Abstract:
Global investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to improve teaching and learning in schools have been initiated by many governments. Despite all these investments on ICT infrastructure, equipments and professional development to improve education in many countries, ICT adoption and integration in teaching and learning have been limited. The study sought to investigate pupils and teachers’ perceptions of the impact of the use of ICT in teaching and learning in the basic schools in Kumasi Metropolis.
The descriptive survey design was used for the study. One hundred and thirty three (133) respondents made up of fifty eight (58) teachers and seventy five (75) pupils from fifteen basic schools (i.e. ten public and five private) from the Kumasi Metropolis took part in the study. The questionnaire was the main instrument and was composed of 17 items. The return rate of questionnaires was 89% or 133 out of the 150.
The findings of the study revealed that the computer was the most used ICT tool aside internet, television and radio in the basic schools. Most of the respondents sometimes use these tools in the preparation, presentation, assessment, assignment and research as well as in teaching and learning. About 65% of the respondents’ perceive that, the use of ICT tools improve teaching and learning and is beneficial at the basic schools.
The recommendations made were that policy guidelines should be in place to ensure more ICT facilities are available to teachers and qualified teachers and also be made available at the junior high schools in the Kumasi Metropolis.
