TEACHERS PERCEPTIONS ON FACTORS INFLUENCING INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating teachers' perceptions regarding the factors that influence the integration of AI into educational curricula in secondary schools in Kano State, Nigeria. This study design is a descriptive survey study. The study is guided by three objectives and corresponding research questions. The instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire titled "Teachers Perceptions on Factors Influencing Integration of AI in Education (TPFIAIE)". The instrument was subjected to content and face validation from relevant experts. A total of 300 teachers from various secondary schools across Kano State were sampled for this study using a survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics using mean and standard deviation have been employed to analyze the data collected. The results show that teachers have a positive perception towards the integration of AI in educational curricula, the most influential of which is teacher readiness, availability of resources and infrastructure, level of awareness and understanding of AI technology amongst teachers, attitudes and beliefs of teachers about AI, and teachers' level of experience. On the other hand, challenges and barriers may impede the successful integration of AI in educational curricula, and these are lack of funding and inadequate technical support. From this study, policy-makers and curriculum developers in Kano State and other regions intending to integrate AI into their educational curricula will find the findings of importance. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that schools and education authorities should give adequate training and support to teachers in using AI in their teaching, the need to redesign the curriculum to accommodate the use of AI and to allow flexibility to the teachers for integration of AI in their lessons, and schools can also consider partnering with organizations and companies in AI to provide teachers with the necessary resources and training.