Title: Considering local context in expanding ICT integration at primary education: lessons learnt from Namibian case study

Authors: Perien Joniell Boer

Addresses: University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia

Abstract: Many international organisations continuously donate computer equipment to African primary schools with little to no thought of how and what this equipment will achieve in the schools. Moreover, little thought is placed on whether computer equipment is the best resource needed in the specific space or time for the school. This participatory action research study investigates the possibilities within a project initiative to improve primary level ICT infrastructure and competency through various interventions. The results of this study show the importance of first establishing the ICT readiness of the primary schools. Furthermore, the results show that teachers perceived the need for ICT integration as important as was the creation of learning materials through the use of ICT. The responses from participants on their self-efficacy of technological efficiency indicate a lack in technological proficient confidence and readiness to use ICTs as a catalyst for change or transformation in the classroom.

Keywords: ICT donation to Africa; ICT school readiness; lack of ICT use confidence; ICT in education policy; ICT intervention model; e-readiness in primary schools; ICT instructional self-efficacy; teacher ICT catalyst for transformation; instructional materials.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMARTTL.2021.118903

International Journal of Smart Technology and Learning, 2021 Vol.2 No.4, pp.272 - 286

Received: 13 Jul 2020
Accepted: 18 Jan 2021
Published online: 10 Nov 2021 *