INTEGRATION STRATEGIES OF MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES IN THE TEACHING OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE RURAL AREAS OF AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

This study examined the integration strategies of digital media technologies in the teaching of primary schools in the rural areas of Akwa Ibom State. The objectives of the study were to nd out if primary school teachers in Ibesikpo Asutan L.G.A use digital media technologies in their teaching, identify the digital technologies used by teachers, determine the strategies adopted to integrate digital media technologies in teaching, examine if the integration of the digital media technologies has enhanced learning and identify the barriers to effective integration of digital media technologies in the teaching of primary schools in Ibesikpo Asutan L.G.A. The study adopted the survey research design with questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The population of the study comprised teachers of select primary schools in Ibesikpo which according to the administrative units of the school is 59. The research which was anchored on technological determinism theory and technological acceptance theory revealed that the majority of respondents (44%) said that they used audio tapes record player and Digitalvideo-on demand (DVD). Also, findings further revealed that digital media technologies have enhanced learning, depicted by (59%) of respondents affirming to that fact. The findings further revealed barriers to integrating digital media technologies to include, but not limited to, insufficient resources, inadequate access to technology, lack of administrative support by government and schools, negative perception of the use of technology and its impact on culture, lack of knowledge and expertise on the part of teachers, focus on using technology for computer-based testing rather than teaching and learning as well as negative attitude of teachers to technology. It was recommended that government at all levels should develop an integration plan by introducing digital media technology into one or more subject areas, and government should embark on training of teachers by sponsoring seminars, conferences, workshops on the use of ICTs in education.