Influence of Human Factors on Integration of ICT in Teaching and Learning in TVET Institutions in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Departments in Uasin Gishu County

Abstract

The study focused on integration of ICT in teaching in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. Integration of ICT is of great importance as it motivates learners, promotes knowledge retention, and increases collaboration among learners among other benefits. Mechanical and Automotive Engineering departments were selected because of their high student population hence it was more representative and also complexities in their practicals. The Eldoret National Polytechnic and Rift Valley Technical Training Institute were selected in this study because the two institutions have the highest number of trainees in the departments of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering in the County. The objective of this study was to: determine the influence of human factors on integration of ICT in teaching and learning. Rodgers’ theory of Diffusion of innovation informed the study while Questionnaires was used to collect data. The target population consisted of trainees and trainers. The sample size for the trainees was 384 which was calculated by fisher’s formula and was selected using the simple random sampling whereas trainers were selected using purposive sampling. Data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. The study findings revealed that few of the trainers had effective basic ICT training. 27.45% affirmed that ICT training at their former training institution has been helpful while the majority 72.55% had a contrary opinion. The study in general concludes that there is limited use of ICT in teaching at the two institutions. The study recommends regular in-service training for trainers and other stakeholders in order to improve their skills as technology is a highly dynamic field, motivate trainers using incentives to use ICTs in the teaching process and use organizations and women charters i.e., WiTED to encourage the female trainers to embrace technology for teaching.