Universal Journal of Educational Research Vol. 3(6), pp. 351 - 358
DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2015.030601
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ICT Opportunities and Threats in Implementing Teaching Practice Programmes

Benkosi Madlela ^*
Department of Education, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of South Africa (UNISA), South Africa

ABSTRACT

Mthwakazi University (MU) established the teacher education department in 2005. The purpose of this department is to empower teachers especially those who did not do education in their first degrees with pedagogical skills and competencies that will make them effective teachers in the classrooms. Students in this teacher education department come from all the five Provinces of Mthwakazi, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Nkabazwe, Matabeleland North, and Mpumalanga. After learning for a year during their second year they are sent for teaching practice in schools located in different geographic Provinces of the country. In the quest of bridging the gaps created by time and distance MU department of teacher education is in the process of integrating ICT into their teaching practice programmes for the purposes of conveniently reaching out to their students who are partaking in teaching practice in schools. The department is of the opinion that ICT would enhance the effectiveness and efficiency in running teaching practice programmes. The study investigated how MU department of teacher education is exploiting ICT opportunities in the implementation of its teaching practice programmes, and the kind of infrastructure that is available to support such integration, the challenges encountered as well as opportunities available in the implementation process. Literature was reviewed in order to gain a wider picture of ICT integration in teaching practice programmes. Literature review came handy in giving an overview of what ICT integration in teaching practice programmes entails. It also highlighted the opportunities and challenges associated with it, as well as possible solutions to the challenges. The study used interviews as an instrument of collecting data form lecturers and students in the department of teacher education at MU. After literature review, qualitative data presentation and analysis, recommendations were made as to how best ICT opportunities can be utilised in implementing teaching practice programmes at MU, and how challenges faced during implementation can be solved or turned into opportunities. The findings of the study were shared with MU's department of teacher education and other teachers' training colleges during cluster group workshops and meetings. Such knowledge sharing will help teachers' training institutions to find ways on how best ICT can be utilised in the implementation of teaching practice programmes. The study concluded that ICT opportunities do exist, and these opportunities can be exploited in order to improve the implementation of TP programmes. Threats also exist but these threats can be turned into opportunities if a proper ICT Policy is enacted at MU.

KEYWORDS
ICT, Opportunities and Threats, and Implementing Teaching Practice Programmes

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Benkosi Madlela , "ICT Opportunities and Threats in Implementing Teaching Practice Programmes," Universal Journal of Educational Research, Vol. 3, No. 6, pp. 351 - 358, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2015.030601.

(b). APA Format:
Benkosi Madlela (2015). ICT Opportunities and Threats in Implementing Teaching Practice Programmes. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 3(6), 351 - 358. DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2015.030601.