Basic Information and Communication Technology and Its Influence on Students’ Application of Knowledge Acquired in Private Secondary Schools in Arusha City, Tanzania

Rehema L. Samu
Kijenge Primary School, Arusha.
Email: samurehema703@gmail.com

Kennedy Omondi Otieno PhD
St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Arusha.
Email: omondiken2016@gmail.com

Abstract: This study assessed the basic Information and Communication Technology and its Influence on students’ application of knowledge acquired in private secondary schools. Objectives were to: determine the extent to which basic ICT influences students’ application of knowledge acquired in private secondary schools and investigate strategies to improve basic ICT to enhance students’ application of knowledge acquired in private secondary schools. Technology Acceptance Model guided the study. Convergent mixed methods design was adopted. Target population was 1,139 in 28 private secondary schools teaching ICT. Sample size consisted of 125(106 students, 11 teachers & 8 school heads). Students were obtained through stratified & simple random sampling techniques while teachers & school heads were purposively sampled. Questionnaires and interview guide assisted in data collection. Validity was established through expert judgment whereas reliability index, (SQ; r=0.722 & TQ; r=0.690) was determined using Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. Credibility of qualitative data was established through detailed reporting of the research process. Results for quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistics in the SPSS version 25 were presented in tables, while qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented in narrative forms. The findings reveal that computer skills enable students to access a wide range of educational resources online, enhancing their learning opportunities. In conclusion, increased access to computers is associated with improved academic performance, particularly in subjects that benefit from computer-assisted learning tools. The study recommends that schools should allocate sufficient budget for purchasing and maintaining an adequate number of computers to ensure all students have regular access.