FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LOW ICT INTEGRATION IN TEACHING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING COURSES IN TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

Information Communication Technologies have been incorporated in many sectors of the economy globally over time. In education, Governments around the world are investing large amounts of capital to realize the benefits of ICT’s, in ensuring a widespread access to networks and their applications. The use of ICT’s as an alternative to existing traditional methods of teaching Electrical Engineering is one of the evolutions that is transforming education sector. This study was aimed at investigating factors that contribute to low integration of ICT’s in teaching Electrical Engineering courses in TVET Institutes in Nairobi County. The study sought to achieve this by investigating the influence of Classroom internet connectivity, Computer hardware and software use in teaching, training on ICT equipment, Excellent classroom ICT expertise, Frequent staff training on ICT, teaching syllabus content and trainer’s workload in teaching and Supportive classroom ICT infrastructure. The study adopted a descriptive survey study design. The study targeted heads of departments and trainers of Electrical Engineering in TVET institutions in Nairobi County. Data was collected using questionnaires; quantitative techniques were employed in data analysis. The study established MATLAB, presentation slides, CAD software; Smart boards, Desktop and Laptop computers among other ICT infrastructure are available in TVET institutions. The study concluded that, computer systems and ICT infrastructure, trainers’ ICT compliance, conventional issue and trainers’ workload are the major determining factors that contributed to a low ICT integration in teaching Electrical Engineering courses. The findings of this study are essential to the government and stakeholders in the implementation of TVET as well as advancement ICT in teaching Engineering courses.