INTEGRATING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN NATIONAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGES IN UGANDA
Abstract
The purpose of this study, which was underpinned on the theories of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and theory of self-efficacy, was to investigate the level of ICT integration and the factors that influence its integration in the instructional practices of the teacher educators in the National Teachers’ Colleges in Uganda. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed-method research design and purposive sampling strategy, the researcher collected and triangulated data from multiple sources: questionnaires with 253 teacher educators, focus groups with 40 teacher educators, interview with 4 Principals and observation of 4 lessons. Spearman's coefficient of correlation, multiple regression, Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis were computed to analyze data. The results revealed: a) a low level of ICT integration in teaching and learning, b) a significant positive relationship between the level of ICT integration and the teacher educators' attitudes (r=0.12), self-efficacy (r=0.75), college ICT vision (r=0.28), administrative support (r=0.21), technical support (r=1.00) and college ICT policy issues (r=1.00), and c) significant differences in the level of ICT integration attributed to gender, age, teaching experience and ICT training. The researcher crafted a LEISURE model of ICT integration and recommended continuous professional development opportunities, peer coaching and mentorship, review of teacher education curriculum, regular support supervision, benchmarking between colleges, and development of college ICT vision and policy.