THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ECONOMICS IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The study investigates the Impact of Information and Communications Technology in the Teaching and Learning of Economics in Nigeria. Information communication technology (ICT) has no doubt changed the face of teaching and learning globally. The study observed that, though Nigeria is also making efforts to join the ICT fray, these efforts appear to be ineffective. Nigeria still experience a lag in its implementation due to general neglect and other factors, and this continues to be the major challenge facing access to ICT” driven instructional aids facilities in most secondary schools.
The study population comprised of seven (7) selected secondary schools in Jos North Local Government area of Plateau State, four private senior secondary schools and three public senior secondary schools. The study concludes that despite the roles ICT can play in education, so many schools are yet to extensively adopt them for teaching and learning. Efforts geared towards integration of ICT into the school system have not had much impact. Problems such as lack of Teachers and Professional knowledge and technical know-how and poor information infrastructure militate against these efforts. The study recommends that efforts should be made by government and institutes management to provide teachers skilled in ICTs to each school in Nigeria as to impact ICT skills to teachers and students amongst others.
The impact of information and communications technology (ict) in the teaching and learning of economics in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Throughout the globe, several countries have introduced Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into schools via different courses of action. The world technological approach has reduced the world to a global village. As new concepts of learning have evolved, teachers are expected to facilitate learning and make it meaningful to individual learners rather than just to provide knowledge and skills (Peter and Rexwhite 2012).
Studies on the application of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the teaching and learning of Economics reveals major achievements; a study on the use of e-learning software among future teachers in the teaching profession and leadership reveals that e-learning succeeded in promoting teaching and learning strategies to a higher degree (Moh’d et al 2009 in Soneye 2012: 14-15). It’s imperative therefore to recognize the impact of information and communications technology and applications of modern technologies in the teaching and learning of Economics.
According to Oxford Advance Learners Dictionary, Information and Communication Technology is the use of electronic equipment’s especially computer for sorting, analyzing and sending out information. The term, information and Communication technology (ICT), is defined by (UNESCO 2006) as a forms of technology that are used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. Countries are benefiting enormously from ICT through innovation, communication and access to global information.
Information and Communication Technology according Ajagun (2003) refers to a whole range of technologies involved in information processing and electronic communications. It includes all those electronic devices that are used in broadcasting, telecommunication and all other electronically mediated information gathering and communicating systems. Bakpo (2005) viewed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as the combination of networks, hardware and software as well as the means of communication, collaboration, and engagement that enables the processing management and exchange of data and information.
Achieving a wide range and successful implementation of ICT in teaching and learning of economics requires better matching the distinctive capabilities of ICT- enabled education to the needs of students and their future employers. However, the integration of information and communication technology into business education is by no means trivial, and it is not simply a matter of providing computer access and training to faculty and students but involves deep changes into both course design and delivery (Alavi, and Yoo, 2002).
Economics prepare students not only to “do” but to know under what circumstances and in what way the knowledge they have acquired should be applied, that is effective application of knowledge gained from economic education to the real world of business (Brown, 2005).
The problem of value creation in ICT-enabled economics is an intriguing one. Few students engage in economic studies for its own sake, they study in order to gain employment on terms more favourable than if they had not undertaken such a course of action (Pfeffer & Fong, 2004). The pedagogical capabilities of ICT have been neglected in economics. Although the importance of pedagogy has been recognized since the dawn of the ICT era attention has typically been focused on the novelty of ICT rather than its capacity to create value (Nwokedi, 2007).
Despite this awareness of the capabilities of ICT, the effect of these new information communication technologies in the teaching and learning of economics is yet to be explored. Hence, a fundamental motivation of this research was to provide a conceptual framework of the impact of ICT in teaching and learning of economics in secondary schools in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
There is currently no study on the impact of ICT in the teaching and learning of economics in Nigeria secondary schools. This research seeks to carry out a study on the impact of ICT in the teaching and learning of economics in secondary schools in Nigeria, case study Jos North Local Government.
THE IMPACT OF ICT ON THE TEACHING AND LEARNING ECONOMICS IN NIGERIA
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to study to determine the impact of ICT in the teaching and learning of economics in secondary schools in Nigeria and to provide recommendations for improvement.
The specific aims of this study are as follows:
- To assess the effect of information technology in the teaching and learning of Economics in Secondary Schools in Jos.
- To identify the challenge and prospect of ICT in teaching and learning of Economics in Secondary Schools in Jos.
- To identify strategies that could be used to improve and ensure in effective ICT application in the teaching and learning of Economics in Secondary Schools in Jos.
The effect of information and communications technology (ict) in the teaching and learning of economics in Nigeria
1.4 Research Questions
The research will provide answer to the following research questions:
- How has Information and Communication Technology influence teaching and learning of economics?
- What are the challenges and prospects of ICT in teaching and Learning of Economics in Secondary Schools?
- What recommendation and implementation strategies that can be used to improve and ensure in effective ICT application in the teaching and learning of Economics in Secondary Schools?
Lawson Peter – Chief Editor in Projectvilla Nigeria. A writer and academic researcher.