Shiburi, M. J. (2021). The role of school based ICT committee members in the integration of ICT in full ICT schools (Publication No. 30361044) [Master’s thesis, University of Johannesburg]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.

Abstract:

“Despite the huge investment in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources by Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) at selected schools classified as Full ICT Schools (FICTS), the GDE is still facing the challenge of having to support educators with the incorporation of ICT into their teaching practices efficiently. This ICT support in the classroom seeks to address the broad incorporation of ICT in education. Failure to support the advancement of educators will lead to educators not being able to implement digital teaching during teaching and learning and the education system will fail to equip students with skills that should enable them to effectively and efficiently function in the information-rich modern ICT environment. This environment is also constantly changing and there is a fear that the GDE has wasted money in investing in the provision of ICT resources. To this end, the GDE had to initiate intervention programmes to support the advancement of educators and to ensure the incorporation of ICT during curriculum delivery. The establishment of School Based ICT Committees (SCB) was among the programmes that were implemented to steer the incorporation of ICT during curriculum delivery. The role of School Based ICT Committee in the incorporation of ICT in Full ICT Schools (FICTS) is explored in this study. The support provided by these committees covers access to ICT infrastructure, ICT policy, professional development, capacity building, and new pedagogies. A qualitative methodology was used to gather data in this study. Sampling was done purposively and 21 participants from FICTS volunteered to participate in the study. Equal participation (7 from each school) of SBIC members from 3 FICTS was maintained. Participants comprised of 14 educators, 3 Heads of Departments (HoDs), 2 deputy principals and 2 principals. The objective of the study is to investigate the role of SBIC members in the incorporation of ICT at FICTS.Qualitative analysis of the data revealed SBIC is challenged in formulating ICT policy that address the current ICT status. Therefore, there is a need for SBIC to be capacitated on drawing ICT policies. The committee comprises of SMT members who are actively involved in supporting educators to implement digital teaching. SBIC has basic information that is needed to incorporate ICT during teaching and learning.However, their knowledge of pedagogies that support digital teaching is limited to TPACK. This committee relies on Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership & Governance (MGSL&G) for provision of professional development programmes. During the process of supporting educators to implement digital teaching, the committee must address issues of poor ICT infrastructure, poor technical support and shortage of electronic content in some of the languages that are taught in the school.”