UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN FACILITATING TEACHING AND LEARNING AT THE CAPE COAST POLYTECHNIC

ABSTRACT The study investigated the utilization of information communication technology (ICT) in facilitating teaching and learning at the Cape Coast Polytechnic. The research design used for the study was descriptive survey. A total sample of 360 including 300 students and 60 teaching staff was selected for the study. Multi-stage sampling was used to select the students whiles the census method was used to select the teaching staff. The instrument used for gathering data was the questionnaire. The Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient for reliability was .648 for teaching staff and .661 for students. The descriptive statistics such as percentages, mean and standard deviation were used where applicable to analyze data. The main findings from the study were that ICT facilities with respect to computers, printers, software and internet access were located at the ICT centre, Head of Department’s office, computer laboratory and library and none at the lecture rooms. In addition, staff had acquired a level of ICT proficiency outside the Polytechnic whereas the student had acquired their proficiency from the Polytechnic. The institutional support for ICT was low. ICT use was hampered by factors such as unreliable internet service, inadequate computers/computer peripherals and inadequate professional training. The study recommends the need to organise regular training in ICT for staff and students, employ internet service providers to provide the Polytechnic with reliable and stable internet connections, and review and implement the framework for achieving the ICT policy plan, 2007-2010 and the 5-year Strategic Plan, 2007- 2011.