International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 15, No. 2 (2019)

Awareness and use of a mobile phone as a potential pedagogical tool among secondary school teachers in Tanzania

Hamisi Mfaume, Dar es Salaam University College of Education

Abstract
ABSTRACT The government of Tanzania through its ICT Policy for Basic Education, devoted to use a mobile phone among other ICTs, as a strategy to enhance the quality of education. It is from this fact that this study determined teachers’ awareness of the educational benefits of the device, their use and barriers towards their educational use. The study was qualitative in nature, using a sample of twenty one (21) teachers who were purposefully selected from three secondary schools. Data were sought through semi-structured interviews and were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that teachers are well informed of its benefits, but they hardly utilize it for educational purposes. Lack of knowledge and skills, negative attitude, lack of awareness of the ICT policy, age and low motivation emerged as key barriers. In the light of the findings, the study concluded that the government’s devotion to integrate the device in the promotion of quality education has not yet moved beyond policy statements. Thus, a concerted effort is needed to train teachers on pedagogical utilization of the device.

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