An Assessment of Final Year Pre-Service Teachers’ Readiness to Use ICT to Teach Implication for COVID-19 Education Response

Abstract

Readiness of teachers to use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to teach is currently a significant issue due to its relationship to online teaching/learning which is a global COVID-19 education response. Preparing future teachers to ICT effectively to facilitate variety of online learning modes is a huge challenge for teacher training institutions, especially in developing nations like Nigeria. In this study, the ICT readiness of final year pre-service teachers in the degree programme of College of Education, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria was assessed. The data gathered using a Likert questionnaire was computer-analyzed. The findings suggest that the pre-service teachers were ready with respect to the following indicators.· Awareness and motivation to use ICT to teach.· Confidence to use ICT to teach.· Availability of internet/mobile network facilities in their environments.· They were very ready with respect to perception on the benefits of ICT in teaching and learning.They did not express readiness in terms of the following indicators.*Acquisition of adequate knowledge and skills on the use of ICT devices during training.*Personal ownership of ICT devices (e.g., computers/laptops).It is therefore recommended that compulsory personal ownership of laptops and relevant ICT devices by pre-service teachers could help them practice and acquire necessary ICT skills more adequately during their training.