Challenges Junior High School Pupils Face in the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Tools for Learning in Ghana

Abstract

Aims: This paper seeks to explore the challenges Junior High School pupils in the South Tongu District in the Volta Region of Ghana face in the use of Information and Communication Technology tools for learning. The rationale was to identify the challenges these pupils face in the use of ICT tools for learning and the possible means to overcome these challenges in the school. Research Design: To achieve the purpose of this studya descriptive research design was used. Place and Duration of Study: Agorkpo D.A. J.H.S in the South Tongu District of Ghana was used for this study for over six months. Methodology: The study adopted the quantitative approach, employed descriptive research design and used questionnaire to collect data from 60 students. The entire questionnaires were retrieved and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 in combination with the Microsoft excel were used to analyse the data. Simple frequency tables were also used to present the data. Results: The research revealed that the commonest challenges of using ICT tools for learning were lack of opportunity provided by teachers for students to use the tools on their own, inadequate ICT tools and difficulty teaching ICT practical lessons without demonstration. Conclusion: Measures identified to improve the use of ICT tools in the school include the call on government to provide the required ICT tools to the school. Secondly, in order to achieve meaningful academic improvement in the school, teachers must spend more time to teach the ICT subject and create the enthusiasm in the students. Thirdly, supervision of ICT teachers should be taken seriously to ensure that they meet time-table requirements for ICT in the school. Also, requisite ICT tools should be used by the teachers to demonstrate the processes and application of ICT in everyday life. This way, pupils would easily understand the concept and be able to apply it practically and independently. Finally, the study recommended that an ICT laboratory be built for the school to house the ICT department and provide an atmosphere that can motivate the teachers and learners to show more interest in the subject.