IMPACT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON THE LEARNING AND TEACHING OF BIOLOGY IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ADO- EKITI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of Information and Communication Technology on the Learning and Teaching of biology in senior secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of information and communication Technology on the Learning and Teaching of Biology. The growing reliance on ICT tools in education underscores the importance of understanding how these resources impacts students teaching and learning, which is critical. The study comprised 1200 students learning biology in all the public senior secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state. The sample for the study comprised 120 students in senior secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti. A self-structured instrument titled Information and Communication Technology in Teaching and Learning (ICTTL) questionnaire was used for this study. Data were analysized using descriptive and inferential statistics techniques. Decisions were taken at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that the use of ICT impact the student's teaching and learning of biology in senior secondary schools. Also, ICT can be effectively integrated into the existing curriculum without compromising scientific accuracy. It examined how ICT influence students ability to manage their time, stay organized, engage in collaborative learning, and apply critical thinking skills in their studies. However, challenges such as distraction from nonacademic websites and difficulties in accessing reliable connection were noted as barriers to optional use of ICT. The study also revealed that there is significance difference in the teaching and learning of students in biology who use ICT and those who do not. Based on the findings, the study's recommendations for the creation of educational resources, such as cassettes and computers, highlight the need for schools to prioritize the development of ICT infrastructure and to provide teachers with the necessary tools and resources to effectively integrate technology into their teaching practices. ICT has a positive impact on the teaching and learning of biology in senior secondary schools, Implementation of professional development program should be for teachers. The study's results also suggest that ICT can be used to support student-centered learning, and to promote more interactive and engaging teaching practices. By leveraging the potential of ICT, teachers can create a more collaborative and inclusive learning environment that meets the diverse needs of students. Overall, this study provides a valuable contribution to the field of educational research, and highlights the potential of ICT to improve teaching and learning in senior secondary schools.