Challenges of Information and Communication Technology

Some of the challenges of information and communication technology according to Kanno and Onyechu (2009) are:

1.  Lack of Expertise Knowledge on the Use of ICT: Majority of the teachers in Nigerian schools are computer illiterates. This is a very big problem militating against the use of ICT in commerce teaching.

2.  Lack of Computers in Nigerian Schools: In most schools there are no computers for learners use, in some where they are available, and they are inadequate. A situation where there is only one computer donated by a philanthropist in a school makes one to wonder how the entire students can learn with only one computer. In a situation where there is none, it means that none will be used in the school for all round development of the child. Lamenting on the damages done by lack of access to computer, Tuoyo (2007) stressed that inability to access computers mean creating more social illiteracy and economic denial of the right of children especially the exceptional children to fully participate in the school system and in the society at large.

3.  Lack of Awareness of Instructional Values of ICT Facilities: Teachers are not aware of the instructional value of ICT facilities. This prevents them for using them.

4.  Teachers Unwillingness to Integrate ICT in their Teaching: Most teachers are unwilling to integrate ICT in teaching. Even if they are computer literates, many prefer to use that knowledge of computer in making business instead of using them in teaching.

5.  Problem of Electricity: Lack of electricity is another constraint militating against the use of ICT in teaching. Since ICT facilities require electricity for them to be functional, where there is no electricity computers will be kept unused.

6.  Inadequate Fund: Fund refers to money needed for executing a project. Computers and other ICT facilities are very expensive, when enough money is not available in the school, ICT facilities will be seen as less important project.

7.  Lack of Personnel for Maintaining ICT Facilities: This is another problem affecting the use of ICT in teaching. In Nigeria, few people are available for maintaining ICT facilities. As a consequence, when any of the accessories break down, the system will be packed waiting for repair, which may take a very long time. On this ground, Mkpa (2007) laments that the required personnel or manpower to maintain the system are very much in short supply.

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Concept of Information and Communication Technology

Information and Communication Technology is a term used to describe technologies which receive, record, process, transmits and retrieves information (Ebisine, 2011). According to him, ICT is the combination of networks, hardware and software; as well as the means of communication, collaboration and engagement that enable the processing, management and exchange of data,

information and knowledge. ICT also stand for the various ways the computer works together with other telecommunication equipment which are needed in data processing and information transmission to solve different aspects of human endeavor (Eze, 2007). This is probably why it is referred to handling and processing of information using electronic devices (Adeoja, 2002) and as the range of products and systems, which handles, process and produce information using computers and/or telecommunication technologies. In one sense, Eguridu (2008) presented ICT as a technology that merges computer with high speed communication links carrying data sounds and videos. ICT he emphasized is an umbrella term that refers to all technology for communication of information. According to him, it includes any medium to record information that is paper, magnetic disk flash.

        ICT is a process of networking – connecting any part of the world by mere touching a combination of keyboard buttons on electronic device like radio, television, telephone, computer and so on with this innovation in our ever changing society, it is crystal clear that more pressure will be on the young people mostly students. Thus, the need to fully inculcate ICT into the Nigerian education system in order to gradually bring them to the reality of the universal phenomenon comes to play (Orukokan, Olaleye, Odumosu and Akinneye, 2009).

        Adedoja (2002) contended that ICT is concerned with handling and processing of information using electronic devices. Agboola (2001) presented ICT as the range of products and systems, which handle process and produce information using computers, and/or telecommunication technologies. In effect, ICT is a process of networking – connecting any part of the world by mere touching a combination of keyboard buttons on electronic devices like radio, television, telephone, and computer and so on. This is in line with Ayannuga (2006) that ICTs are information handling tools. They include the old ICTs of radio, television and telephone and the new ICTs of computer, satellite and wireless technology and the internet. According to him, information and communication technology is a general term sometimes used to refer to a variety of tools, all of which make it possible to improve dialogue between individuals and groups.

        ICT according to Bamikole (2000) is the creation, collection, storage, processing, transmission, displaying and use of information by people and machine. It encompasses so many a concept among which is the internet. Abimbade (2006) observed that development in computer technology and telecommunication networks had given rise to the internet and intranet, thus information and communication are interwoven and one is dependent of the other. ICT is the fusion of Information Technology (IT) and Communication Technology (CT).

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Strategies to Overcome the Challenges of Information and Communication Technology

To meet the challenges the following needs to be ensured:

-      Creating public awareness for ICT and encouraging students’ interest.

-      Integrating ICT in all subject areas in the educational system.

-      Government should ensure and monitor the implementation of ICT application at all levels of our educational system as contained in the National Policy on Education (2004).

-      Provision of ICT materials in all Nigerian schools.

-      Continuous ICT in-service training for all teachers.

-      Motivation and incentive giving for all ICT trainees.

-      Enabling technology for the physically challenged in our society.

-      Government should invest on ICT facilities in such areas as procurement of equipment, infrastructure and ICT centres.

-      Monitoring of ICT programmes and project implementation.

-      Integrating ICT into all teacher education programmes.

Summary of Literature Review

The review of literature provided the meaning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a whole range of facilities or technologies involved in information processing and electronic communication. Also the reviewed literature recognized the relevance of ICT in which there was a general agreement that ICT helps learners in the acquisition of four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The reviewed literature identified the ICT resources for effective teaching such as Computer Aided Instruction (CAI), multimedia, distance learning, e-learning and web-based instruction.

        Finally, the literature also provided some challenges to ICT in effective teaching and learning. Finally, the literature review highlighted the strategies to overcome the identified challenges to ICT.

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Importance of Information and Communication Technology

ICT is an essential component of school, intellectual diffusion and research programmes assessment. Nkanu and Usang (2007) remarked that these trends make it possible for teachers to break away from professional isolation with information and communication technology, they can easily connect with other teachers outside their immediate environment with sources of teaching materials. Before now, the observed,

learners were dependent on teachers and librarians for information but now, availability of ICT facilities in schools is helping them to redefine the role of teachers and librarians thus enabling them to focus on analyzing information and sharpening their critical thinking skills. It is in the same stead that the Federal Government of Nigeria emphasized in section II (102) (A) of the National Policy on Education that:

A Network of Educational Services Centre in Nigeria (NESCN) shall be setup to provide a forum for exchanging of ideas on the development and use of innovative materials for improvement of education. All states, teacher resource centres, university institutions of education and other professional bodies shall belong to the network of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

        Obviously, ICT would bring about collaborative, provide participation, cooperation and interactive learning environment, as well as enrich the curriculum content. Studies conducted worldwide indicated that students working in a collaborative environment using technology-infused instruction have had better academic achievement (Cheorg, 2008; Lee Predhan & Dalgarno, 2008; Barwach, 2006 and House 2006 cited in Masole, 2008). ICT as a technological-based instruction methodology facilitates the achievement of content and objectives of the curriculum since it enables students to access accurate information easily unlike the traditional methods require strenuous co-ordination. Nkanu and Usang (2007) observed that the educational system has undergone major structural changes. That is from pedagogical methodology to the current phase of more sophisticated, but user friendly technology-based instructional methodology. The complexity resulting from the enormous instruction co-ordination mechanism is reduced or eliminated with the new system (ICT and E-Learning).

        ICT is also important in that it has enabled learners to see things and master them faster than as it was in the olden years. Appreciating this, Udensi (2006:124) stated:

In fact, our ways of life have been greatly touched and influenced, ICT equipment have brought about speedy, timely and efficient information processing which is very significant to people. Again, ICT equipment have made it possible for modern man to see more information in a day the people hundred years ago used to see in whole year.

        ICT also help learners in the acquisition of four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Acquisition of these four basic language skills is very important because when learners acquire them they can easily master the concepts in the curriculum of all levels of education faster. To that end, Okereka (2007) emphatically stressed that, ICT increases reading skills. Computer had made the teaching and learning of writing (essay) can now be better enhanced by using computer programmes that corrects errors and provide feedback. Through ICT learners can make use of the most up-to-date texts from the conventional library. This will help the learners to get access to relevant texts which will help the learners to get access to relevant text which will help them in their lesson.

        Furthermore, ICT helps in erection of individualized and collaborative instruction. With the use of computer, learners can learn individually and collectively with or without the teacher in the classroom. Hence, Tuoyo (2007) stated that computers are tools for teachers and students. They can be useful for erection of individualized and collaborative instruction and can manage and generate instructional research and administrative data. Thus makes full implementation of curriculum in all levels of education easier and more practicable; hence there is greater hope of realizing the national educational goals as enumerated by Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN, 2004).

        ICT assists in evaluation of students’ performance. Evaluation is a very important aspect of curriculum implementation. With the use of ICT, evaluation of students’ performance is easy for both teachers and administrators, since it provides immediate feedback to the students. With provision of immediate feedback, students and teachers can find out the area of strength and weaknesses for modification. Commenting on the usefulnesss of provision of feedback to the learners, Mkpa (2007) stated that it is an established fact that most effective learning occurs by engaging and giving him immediate feedback on his performance as he learns.

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