The Use Of ICT In Teaching And Learning At The Wisconsin International University College

Abstract

The study investigated the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool to support teaching and learning in the Wisconsin International University College. It specifically identifies existing facilities and how they are being used and the inherent problems and the perceptions of lecturers and students on integration of ICT in teaching and learning in the university. The survey research methodology was used for the study. The survey size was 205, made up of 150 undergraduate students and 55 lecturers. Questionnaire was the main data collection instrument complemented with observation. The findings indicate that both lecturers and students had a positive perception towards ICT integrated teaching and learning, but only few lecturers applied existing ICT facilities during their teaching. Online communication between lectures and students was poor, with students and lectures using only e-mail to communicate online instead of using Learning Management System such as Blackboard, WebCT or Moodle, which creates online community portal that connects lecturers and students and provides an avenue for classroom materials or activities to be shared easily. Lack of constant electricity supply, limited internet bandwidth, system breakdown and unavailability of ICT integration support staff were some of the main problems encountered in the use of ICT for teaching and learning. All the lecturers had personal computers, which was not the same in the case of students even though most of the student do have their own computers. The study recommended ICT training for lecturers and students, constant supply of electricity, expansion and improvement of internet bandwidth, provision of Learning Management System and Virtual Reality supported teaching.