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An Investigation on the Information and Communication Technology Proficiency Among Early Childhood Education Teachers in Chinsali District
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate on the information and communication technology proficiency of early childhood education (ECE) teachers, focusing on their digital competence and the integration of ICT in teaching practices in Chinsali district Zambia. The study used a phenomenological research design, a qualitative research approach was employed. The sample size was 10 respondents. Four respondents were ECE teachers from primary schools which had computer labs,4 school managers, two District Education Board Officials. Semi- structured interviews and classroom observations were used to collect data that was analysed thematically. The findings of the study reveal a varied level of ICT proficiency among ECE teachers, highlighting significant gaps in their digital skills ICT. The study also found teachers need training, support from school mangers, accessible ICT tools. Strategies that ECE teachers could adopt include, the MoE should provide finding for monitoring of ICT integration in teaching and learning, reward teachers who are integrating ICT in teaching and learning, provide accessible ICT tools to ECE schools in rural and remote areas, allow the grant guidelines to allow school to procure ICT equipment and the DRCC to hold ICT CPDs. The study recommended that all ECE centres should be provided with accessible ICT tools, school managers should also undergo ICT training, the Ministry of Education (MoE) through directorate of ECE should come up with a serious monitoring programme on the use of ICT in teaching and learning, the DRCC to be holding CPDs in ICT usage. The MoU between MoE and NGOs should be made so that affordable internet can be provided, solar power, ICT tools and proper infrastructure to house ICT equipment can be built. And the MoE financial guidelines should allow schools to acquire ICT tools. And school managers should also be trained in ICT. ECE teachers, universities and colleges to come up with a common ICT curriculum Key words: Investigation, ICT, Integration, ECE, CPD, Accessibility, tools, Chinsali
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