Understanding the importance, impacts and barriers of ICT on Teaching and Learning in East African Countries

Abstract

This paper based on synthesis of the research literature, observation and focused group discussion with East African Scholars on the use of Information and Computer Technology (ICT) in primary and secondary schools in East African Countries with a particular focus to understand the importance, impacts and barriers of ICT into classroom Instruction. The study explored internal and external factors that surround ICT issues, policies of ICT integration and factors that facilitate or impede the use of ICT, with the focus of improving the quality of teaching-learning process. The study reveals that the inhibiting factors are unrealistic policies of ICT, poor infrastructure, lack of teacher competence, confidence, incentive, perception and beliefs, imposed curriculum, lack of proper network, political instability, brain drain, sporadic electricity, poor transportation, lack of public awareness and participation, poor school leadership, technological illiteracy and lack of pedagogical skills. The study further revealed that ICT integration is far behind in East African Schools as a consequence of ICT deficiency, absence of pre-service and in-service teacher training and poor teachers’ welfare and morale. Eventually, the study concluded that ICT is crucial for anytime and anyplace learning to ensure economic growth and it highlighted the important issues for consideration and improvements.