ICT Applications in Teaching And Learning in Tertiary Institutions : A Case of University For Development Studies And Tamale Technical University

ABSTRACT

It is an indisputable fact that ICT plays a very significant role in the development of every nation these days. This is because growth is stimulated by the flow of information and this consciousness has led most learning institutions into knowledge-based ones. Hence, leading to easy access, quality teaching and learning, infrastructure provision as well as management efficiency. In spite of these, the potentials of ICT in teaching and learning has not been fully realized by many academic institutions. A mixed-method the approach was used to carry out the study. The questionnaire was used to collect data from 570 respondents, comprising 62 Lecturers and 508 Students of UDS and TaTU. Interviews were also conducted for four management and ICT personnel of UDS and TaTU. The findings of the study indicated that ICT have not been widely integrated into the teaching and learning activities in UDS and TaTU. Some challenges identified were frequent Power fluctuation, lack of maintenance, low internet bandwidth, lack of pedagogical models on how to use ICT in teaching and learning and limited ICT skills of lecturers and students to fully integrate ICT. The study recommended that ICT trainings for lecturers and students should go beyond basics to advance and professional levels to aid practical integration of ICT in teaching and learning. ICT infrastructure provision and maintenance, and ICT service delivery should also be given priority in UDS and TaTU. The vigorous implementation and use of ICT facilities and services to its full potential will not only revolutionize teaching and learning in UDS and TaTU, but will also facilitate the development of lecturers and students' innate scientific inquiry mind and their critical thinking abilities. 1 C