Effect Of ICT Training On Pedagogical Skills Development Among Student Teachers In Dodoma Region

ABSTRACT

The central purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ICT training on pedagogical skills development among student teachers. Dodoma Region was made a reference to this by examining the available ICT facilities and their characteristics, student teachers use of ICTs facilities and the curriculum framework of the implementation. A mixed research approach was applied to conduct this research whereby interviews, questionnaire, observation and documentary review were used to collect data. Data were obtained from three Teachers Colleges in Dodoma Region. 153 respondents were involved. In this study, where 130 were student teachers, 20 were teacher educators and 3 were the college principals. The analysis of the information obtained revealed that the ICTs training in Diploma Teacher Education has no effect on the pedagogical skills development. This is attributed by factors such as inadequate ICT facilities at the colleges, insufficient use of the available ICT facilities and a poor implementation of the pedagogical approach in diploma teacher education. Moreover, the study revealed that despite the inadequate number of ICT facilities and insufficient use, the student teachers had positive attitude on the use of ICT in the Diploma Teacher Education. Following these findings, it is suggested that there should be improvement in the provision of ICT facilities, enhancement of positive attitude on the use of ICT, application of Technological, Pedagogical, Content Knowledge (TPACK) approach on ICT training and introduction of digital classes. Finally, the Government’s efforts on this needed to be supported by other educational stakeholders.