THE EXTENT OF COMPUTER USAGE AMONG SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
ABSTRACT
The study assessed the extent of computer usage among school teachers and students in Ilala Municipality. The objectives of the study were to identify the attitude of teachers towards computer use; to identify the attitude of students towards computer integration; to determine the benefits of using computers in education from teachers and students perspectives and to determine teachers and students access to computers. A sample of 138 respondents was used sampled randomly. The study used case study approach or design, the methods of data collection applied were interviews, data collection tools/instruments used were structured questionnaires, and an in depth interview for primary data while for secondary data were collected from previous studies, internet and relevant documents. It was revealed that, teachers agreed with welcoming computer use in primary school’s education and strongly disagreed; using computers makes primary students worse. Again, from student’s point of view, computer integration in education facilitates learning for primary school. Also, the benefits of computer integration includes enhancing academic works, improves the lesson plans, promotes independent learning, but also leads children to obscene materials such as pornography. Moreover, teachers and students in primary schools are skilled in using computers but lack of trainings been among the major factor that facilitate to unprofessional skilled teachers, majority access computers from home while others access from at school’s library and internet café. It was recommended that, the ministry of education should prioritize computer subject as amongst the most significant lessons to be taught in primary schools which will improve the attitude of students also develop a policy to guide the use of computer in public primary so as to heighten ICT knowledge and competence in all primary schools in the country.