Factors Influencing Master of Education Students’ Utilization of Ict Integrated Resources in Their Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

Postgraduate students need to get information in all formats other than paper or print. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing Master of Education student’s utilization of Information Communication Technology (ICT) integrated resources at the University of Nairobi. The main objective of the study was to establish the influence of availability of computers, to examine the influence of tutor’s methodology and to establish the influence of student’s attitude on the utilization of ICT integrated resources. The study adopted Diffusion of Innovation Theory; it explains why some individuals embrace technological changes and adopt innovations more readily than others do. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The total population of this study was all the 234 Master of Education students, three ICT tutors, 2 lab technicians and 4 department coordinators. The sample was drawn from four departments after two departments were randomly selected for piloting. A sample of 30 % of students was used, as for the ICT tutors, the computer lab technicians and program coordinators they were purposively sampled. The study employed three sets of questionnaires to gather data, for M.Ed students, for ICT tutors and for lab technicians and key informant interview was conducted for the department coordinators .The frequencies were run with the aid of SPSS version 21. The study found that the availability of computers does not influence ICT utilization, majority of students (58.0 %) said they have access to computers, of the 58% only 14% of the students had good computer knowledge. The study also found that the tutor’s methodology influences ICT utilization, majority (60.0 %) of students said that tutors methodology does not cover the areas that can help them learn necessary ICT skills. The study also found that the attitude of master of education students influences the utilization of ICT integrated resources, 60.0 % of students had a positive attitude. The researcher concluded that the availability of computers does not influence ICT utilization. It is also concluded that the tutors’ methodology influences ICT utilization. It can also be concluded that mode of assessment influences students’ utilization of ICT integrated resources and lastly it is concluded that the attitude of M.Ed students has the greatest influences on the utilization of ICT integrated resources. The study recommended that the tutors be encouraged to better assess the unit and develop assessments that reflect the core ICT course objectives which will be of long-term benefit to master students on the use of utilization of ICT integrated resources. The study recommends a further study to be done in other universities to ascertain whether they had different and more effective strategies.