ABSTRACT

This study used a survey design to examine the impact of using technology tools in the public school classroom using some selected public secondary school in Burutu L.G.A Delta State as a case study. The study was specifically carried out to ascertain whether there is adequate availability of the educational technology resources in public school classroom, ascertain whether the use of educational technology contribute to effective teaching in public school classroom, find out whether the use of educational technology has an impact on students academic performance in public school classroom, and find out the factors which limits the use of educational technology in the teaching and learning in public school classroom. The population comprises some teachers of some selected public secondary school in Burutu L.G.A Delta State. The data gathered and collated was analyzed using frequency tables and mean scores.  The findings of the study indicated that there is no adequate availability of the educational technology resources in public school classroom. The findings also indicated that the factors which limits the use of educational technology in the teaching and learning in public school classroom includes: poor power supply, lack of competent teachers, poor maintenance of available educational technology facilities, teachers negative attitude towards educational technology tools, and high cost of educational technology tools. With respect to the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that the schools through ministry of education should seek technical partnership and collaborative funding with international and national organizations to provide and maintain more educational technology facilities such as computer laptops, projectors, interactive boards, printing accessories in secondary schools and ensure these facilities are gainfully utilized by setting up monitoring teams to pay unscheduled visits to schools periodically. To mention only but few.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The use of technology in teaching and learning is one of the 21st century skills. Teachers “must learn to use technology and must allow it to change their present teaching paradigm” (Bitner & Bitner, 2002). Change is the only constant thing the teaching – learning process. Adopting one of the 21st century skills is essential for personal and professional development as well as for the improvement of student performance. According to Koehler and Mishra (2009) teaching with technology has a lot of changes and is complicated especially with the newer technologies present to teachers. In the same study, they added that “the word technology applies equally to analog and digital, as well as new and old, technologies”.

Teachers view most traditional pedagogical technologies such as pencil, microscope, chalkboards, transparency and the like are simple and directly referred to technology. Technology is developed by human being such as the above mention equipment. But in the 21st century, technology is not limited to the use of computer in the classroom but also include application of education apps wherein students can learn many things online and offline. “Digital technologies such as computers, laptops, handheld devices, and software applications by contrast, are protean (usable in many different ways; Papert, 1980); unstable (rapidly changing); and opaque (the inner workings are hidden from users; Turkle, 1995)”, as mentioned by Koehler and Mishra (2009).

In some public schools, many teachers tried to integrate technology in teaching and learning. Boholano (2018) stress that the improvement in the educational community requires the teachers and staff to equipped the young people with the use of technology, “which allow them to benefit from the emerging new forms of socialization, globalization and internationalization which can contribute actively to economic development under a system where the main asset is knowledge”. ICT therefore provides both learners and teachers with more possibilities, productivity, professional growth and development.

The availability and use of technology has provided tremendous access to information, truly created a global village and has continued to improve teaching and learning in schools. According to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, “technology presents a huge opportunity that can be leveraged in rural communities and inner-city urban settings particularly in subjects where there is shortage of highly qualified teachers. At the same time, good teachers can utilize new technology to accelerate learning and provide extended learning opportunities for students”.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The educational system's use of educational technologies and means is no longer optional nor an individual desire. Rather, it has become a necessity, especially after most schools have been trained on educational development programs based on the introduction of methods and means based on information technology as an essential element in teaching, but some teachers are still He is not convinced of the importance of entering the age of technology, and wants to preserve the traditional character despite the fact that it does not meet the requirements of the new era, and is unable to follow and assimilate the data of the modern technological revolution in a way that contributes to preparing students for new tasks and roles that are required by the necessities of the times and to meet the needs of society. In general, we have a problem with the lack of interest of some in employing educational technologies in most school subjects.

1.3 Objectives of the study

Generally, this study seek to examine the impact of using technology tools in the public school classroom. Specific objectives are stated below.

1. Ascertain whether there is adequate availability of the educational technology resources in public school classroom.

2. Ascertain whether the use of educational technology contribute to effective teaching in public school classroom.

3. Find out whether the use of educational technology has an impact on students academic performance in public school classroom.

4. Find out the factors which limits the use of educational technology in the teaching and learning in public school classroom.

1.4. Research Questions

i. Is there adequate availability of the educational technology resources in public school classroom?

ii. Does the use of educational technology contribute to effective teaching in public school classroom?

iii. Does the use of educational technology has an impact on students academic performance in public school classroom?

iv. What are the factors which limits the use of educational technology in the teaching and learning in public school classroom?

1.5 Significance Of Study

This study is very important in various ways. It is expected to identify the perception of students’ and teachers’ educational technology integration for academic activities. The results of this study are expected to unfold the problem which the students face on the use of educational technology and electronic resources and how the problem affects their overall performance in school, especially in business education. Knowledge of educational technology integration and electronic resources will help the Government, school Administrators, Parents and Teachers to start working together towards alleviating some of the problem face by the students in integrating educational technology for better educational outcome.

This study will also benefit administrators and educators in pursuing knowledge that will assist in determining the important variables as well as recognizing access to educational technology infrastructure and resources in successful academic performance.

The study will also help to reduce increased dropout rate in the country (especially for students) that lack educational technology skills thus increasing literacy rate as well as level of educational technology integration among students and teacher.

Finally, the study will also be beneficial to students as it will enlighten them on the need to take their educational life more seriously especially with the integration of educational technology, so as to contribute to the development of technology in the country (Nigeria).

1.6 Scope Of The Study

This study is structured to generally examine the impact of using technology tools in the public school classroom. Geographically the study will be delimited to Delta state.

1.7 Limitation Of The Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 Definitions Of Terms

Technology: The application of knowledge, equipment, machines, tools, techniques, and methods to solve problems.