Effects of technology in education of secondary school students In Githunguri district, Kiambu county.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out the effects of technology in education of secondary school students in Githunguri District, Kiambu County. The study was guided by the following objectives ; To find out the effects of technology in education in Githunguri District, to find out the challenges facing use of technology in education in Githunguri District and to recommend possible measures that can be put in place to improve technology in education. Research literature throughout the past decade has shown that technology can enhance literacy development, impact language acquisition, provide greater access to information, support learning, motivate students, and enhance their self- esteem (ACT, 2004; CEO Forum, 2001; Boster et al., 2004; Mann et al., 1999; Tracey & Young, 2006; WestEd, 2002). Indeed, researchers have affirmed that computer technology provides abundant opportunities for students to build or modify their personal knowledge through the rich experiences that technology affords. The researcher used descriptive research design. It described such things as possible behaviour, attitudes, values and characteristics. The target population was 20 primary school teachers, 200 learners and 20 parents with students in secondary schools to give a total of 240 respondents. The researcher considered these people because they were ideal responses and to give reliable information. The research collected data from a sample of 200 learners out of 500 in 6 primary schools, which covered 40% of the student population. The researcher used 20 school teachers out of 60 in 6 public secondary schools, which covered 33% of the school teachers population. The researcher used 30 parent out of 100 in 6 secondary schools to cover a total of 50% parents population. The researcher used various research instruments to collect data, in which they enabled me to collect a lot of information required to achieve the objective of the research. They were: Questionnaires, Observation schedules and Interview schedules. Use of technology in education improved reading comprehension, language acquisition, test scores, learners motivation and self esteem. Student and teacher roles were also affected whereby the students became researchers and the teacher a supervisor. Students’ technical skills were as well improved by technology use in education. However the researcher suggested recommendations to various stakeholders.