Effectiveness Of Information And Communication Technology (Ict) In Teaching Of General Science Subject At Elementary Level

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compared to the traditional method of teaching in the subject of general science at elementary level in Rawalpindi. It was an experimental study of 04 weeks duration, and “post-test equivalent group design” was used for the statistical analysis of the research at 0.05 levels of significance. To conduct the research, the population considered was all male and female students studying general science subject at elementary level from four hundred and thirty five public and private schools. A sample of sixty students, having equal number of students studying general science in class VIII, was selected from sample school. Students were divided into two equal groups, i.e. experimental group and control group. Both the groups were equated on the basis of their scores by pair random sampling from the previous examination of class VII in the subject of general science. Every group contained thirty students. The students of the experimental group were exposed to the teaching through ICT, whereas the students of control groups were taught through traditional method of teaching in the subject of general science. The effectiveness of ICT in general science at elementary level against traditional method of teaching was measured through two objectives: i)-To determine the effectiveness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the academic achievement of the students at elementary level. ii)-To find out the effect of ICT in the academic achievement of low and high achievers.

For statistical analysis, means, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were applied. While compiling the results of students on post-test for individual schools/sectors, implementation of ICT was found effective as compared to traditional method of teaching for female students and for average ability students in general science at elementary level. For slow learners it was found effective for the students as a whole and for the students of public sector school. For the high ability students, ICT as a teaching strategy was least effective against traditional method of teaching in overall and in individual cases as well. On the basis of the findings of this study, various recommendations were made: (i) ICT might be introduced as a separate discipline in the curriculum of Pakistan from the primary level. (ii) For students to become more familiar with the use of ICT, the libraries in the educational institutions might be converted to on-line libraries. (iii) Pre- service, in- service and refresher courses for teacher may be enriched with ICT training. To educate students in the field of technology, the vital role of teachers might become more effective by giving them in-service and before-service training for using technology.