Assessing the skill level of teacher - trainees to handle information and communication technology at the basic education level in the central region of Ghana

Abstract

The 2007 educational reform of Ghana has it that greater emphasis will be put on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Science and Technology. In addition, special attention will be given to the training of teachers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among other subjects. The objective of this study was to assess the skill level of teacher - trainees to handle ICT at the Basic Education level in the Central Region of Ghana. Descriptive research design was employed in this study where questionnaire was the main tool to collect data for the study. A sample size of 7 ICT tutors and 252 teacher-trainees responded to the questionnaire out of a population size of 9 ICT tutors and 870 teacher-trainees from the three Colleges of Education located in the Central Region of Ghana. Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 18 for Windows was used to help in data analysis. Frequencies and percentages were used as a statistical tool to analyze research questions one, three, four, five and six while frequency, mean score and standard deviation were used as statistical tools to analyze research questions two. A total of six research questions were answered. Some of the findings and a recommendation of the study are: 1. Most ICT infrastructure is available at the colleges of education. 2. Teacher - trainees showed high competence level in most basic ICT applications and software skills needed to handle ICT at the basic education level. Recommendation: Ministry of Education should ensure the availability of Basic Schools’ teaching syllabus in all training colleges.