EFFECTS OF TEACHING USING ICT ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN MOLO DIVISION,NAKURU COUNTY,KENYA

Abstract

We are living in a constantly evolving digital world. ICT has an impact on nearly every aspect of our lives from working to socializing, to learning and to playing. The digital age has transformed the way young people communicate, network, seek help, access information and learn. This study aimed at identifying the effects of information and communication Technology (ICT) use in teaching and learning on the achievement of secondary school students in Biology. Quasi-experimental design was adopted. Simple random sampling was used to assign intact classes to experimental and control groups, while purposive sampling was used to select secondary schools that have ICT gadgets in Molo division, Molo sub-county. The sample comprised 240 students (120 males and 120 females) selected amongst form three students in Molo division, Molo sub-county. The objectives of the study were; to investigate the effect of ICT use on students’ achievement scores in biology in secondary schools and to establish whether there is any gender differences in achievement scores among boys and girls taught with the use of ICT. ICT approach was used in experimental groups while the regular traditional teaching method was used in control groups. Pre-test was administered before treatment and a posttest after treatment. A Biology Achievement Test was used to measure students’ performance and the data collected was analyzed through SPSS programme. The findings of the study showed that ICT use in teaching improved performance of students in biology in secondary schools as most students taught using ICT performed better than those taught using traditional methods. The study found out that the use of ICT method produced better scores in girls than in boys. Conclusions are; use of ICT assisted instruction seemed to have had a deep impact on the process of learning in the learners. The usage of ICT during lessons conducted in classes has improved the learning outcomes of students and therefore its contribution should be recognized by all teachers in order to enhance students’ achievement in biology and other sciences in general. Based on the findings, several recommendations have been made to provide some insights into the application of ICT in Biology subjects. The researcher has made recommendations that government and proprietors of public and private schools, respectively, should equip their schools with the necessary ICT gadgets. ICT facilities should be used more in teaching. Teachers should integrate traditional teaching approach with attractive learning styles by involving ICT in their lessons in order to increase students’ achievements. Since the findings concluded that using ICT in Biology lessons has positive impacts on students’ achievements; schools must strive to increase usage of ICT amongst teachers. On the other hand, teachers should put more effort to use ICT in conducting their biology lessons.