ENHANCING THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE THROUGH THE USE OF ICT IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) cannot be ignored in education because of the demand due to technological growth in both the private and public sectors of the country’s economy. Many science teachers need to bring their ICT knowledge up to date since ICT tools are considered to be an efficient way to extend the horizons of traditional science teaching. ICT tools can also support learning strategies where students’ projects are involved thereby improving and enhancing students’ interest. This paper sets out to look at the importance of teacher’s knowledge and learner’s interactions in science learning, poor academic achievement in science and some possible causes of this poor performance. Science teachers were interviewed to ascertain the level of there understanding in the use of ICT to teach the student. Some schools do not have ICT Equipment. The paper also examined the ways science subjects can be enhanced using ICT; the concept of ICT; the benefit of ICT in science  teaching and learning; the application of ICT in science education and problems confronting the use of ICT in the teaching and learning of science. Some solutions to these problems were also suggested. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The sample for the study comprises 80 science teachers drawn from six education zones in the state using the purposive sampling technique. The instruments for data collection were science teachers. The study concluded that secondary school science teachers in Enugu State do not possess the required ICT knowledge to use ICT facilities to teach science concepts. The study recommended among others that practicing science teachers should enroll in in-service training programme on ICT to update their knowledge in its use in teaching and learning