The Use of ICT in Training Teachers at the Pre-Service Level: A Study of Three Teacher Education Institutions in Southern Ghana

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study was to ascertain the contention that first cycle school teachers in Ghana were not proficient in ICT and that was because their training in ICT in the colleges of education was not effective. The study was conducted in two colleges of education and one of the University of Cape Coast Distance Education Centres. The colleges of education were Accra College of Education in Accra, OLA College of Education in Cape Coast and the University of Cape Coast Distance Education programme for teachers that is centred at Accra High School in Accra. The survey was conducted by using questionnaires. Items in the questionnaires were of relevance to the purpose of the survey. They were administered in the three teacher training institutions. Data were collected, organized and analyzed using frequencies and percentages. It came to light that students’ ICT literacy in the teacher training institutions in Ghana was low. Again the study revealed that students in teacher training institutions in Ghana had a negative perception of ICT. It was concluded that the challenges of using ICT included resistance to change from tutors and other authorities, lack of skills to operate the computers where some could be found and lack of technical support. In effect, educational use of ICT was not significant. Based on the findings it was recommended that ICT should be taught effectively in teacher training institutions in the country, and structured in-service ICT training should be given to on-field teachers. Also, ICT resources should be made available in schools and colleges for the use teachers and pupils.