Relevance Of Information And Communication Technology (ICT) In Effective Teaching And Learning Of Integrated Science In Junior Secondary Schools

INTRODUCTION
The development of manpower in Nigeria will be incomplete if it fails to address the use of information and communication technology (ICT) with emphasis on computer Technology. The world is fast becoming a global village as a result of developments in information and communication Technology. The key instrument in these globalization through the concept of ICT is the computer (Kalu and Ekueme, 2003).
A school of thought defines computer as a set of devices designed to work together to accomplish input, processing and output functions in order to accomplish tasks desired by a user (Robtyer, 2003).
Today, everybody goes about with this Technology as virtually every sectors- Banking, Education, Military, Health etc have keyed into the use of ICT for effective functioning (Esan, 1998). In other words, ICT has become a veritable instrument for Education, Economic and Technological development in this dispensation (Eya, 2000). Through teaching and learning ICT has equipped one to participate in rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed (Robinson, 1994).
The use of ICT in teaching and learning involves improve access to internet services and provision of step sequences in learning process (Edafiogho, 2007).
One of the importances of the study is that it will help to develop the mends of the teachers and students towards the effective teaching and learning of integrated sciences in junior secondary schools.
Realizing that there was no recent research work and perhaps any recent document to show the use of ICT in secondary schools particularly in the teaching and learning of integrated science as the junior secondary school level in the schools in Enugu North local Government area, the researcher therefore intends to carryout a survey research on the relevance of information and communication Technology (ICT) for effective teaching and learning of integrated science.

STAEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS
Considering the role and objectives of information communication Technology (ICT) in manpower building, in teaching and learning in the classrooms, most especially. Some secondary schools in the area under study are still unaware of the full use of ICT. This may be due to a large number of factors, such as poor awareness campaign on the significant of ICT, unstable power supply in most areas, low level of investment on ICT educational programme, attitude of the users, huge efforts and time spent on ICT facilities, high level of poverty and abscene of computer interaey personnel, among other factors.
Understanding the facts that schools, especially secondary schools serve as agent between the outside world and the immediate home whether local or urban. Therefore, it remains the best avenue through which the Technology of ICT could be transferred to the students as a means of effective teaching and learning especially in integrated science.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to inventigate the relevance of information and communication technology (ICT) in effective teaching and learning of integrated science in JSS schools in Enugu, North local Government area. To examine if ICT facilities are unduly adopted in the teaching and learning of integrated science as the junior secondary school level. ICT facilities include; Audio visual viza-v# z: speakers, projectors, films, computers, the internet services etc. The use of audio visual in teaching and learning of integrated science makes the classroom exercise for junior students interesting, simple, demonstrateable and of course, enhance better understanding of the concept.
Specifically, the purpose of the study is to Capture the following facts:
(a) To find out if ICT provides access to teaching aids for teaching and learning of integrated science.
(b) To find out if ICT provides proper management of large number of students in teaching and learning of integrated science.
(c) To investigate if ICT promotes independent studies among students in teaching learning of integrated science.
(d) To find out if ICT increases students performances in teaching and learning of integrated science.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The cope of this study; the relevance of information and commandiation technology (ICT) for effective teaching and learning of intergrated science is limited to the Junior secondary school in Enugu North Local Govt Area of Enugu State. The schools comprise of ten different Junior secondary schools.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
A number of relevant research questions have been mapped out for this study. These include:
a. Does ICT provides access to teaching aid for effective teaching and learning of integrated science?
b. How does ICT provides proper management of large number of students in teaching and learning of integrated science?
c. Does ICT promotes independent studies among students in teaching and learning of integrated science in your school?
d. How does ICT increases student’s performances in teaching and learning of integrated science?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is generally conceived that the concept of information and communication technology (ICT) is relatively new and perhaphs most secondary schools have not completely adopted its use in teaching and learning processes. Also, it could be said that ICT facilities are not made available in these secondary schools or where they are made available, it is underutilized. Edafiogho (2007) outlined a good numbers of significance of ICT to education most especially in the areas of; electronic bullefine boards, database, teleconferencing etc.
Below are the significance of the study “the relevance of ICT in effective teaching and learning of integrated science in junior secondary school” to the teachers and students.
Teachers:
• ICT motivate teachers:- The exposure of teachers to ICT can help to promote and enable professional development particularly in teaching of integrated science.
• ICT helps teacher to create more learner centric learning environment – ICT’s are seen as important tool to enable and support the move from traditional teaching style to more modern method of teaching
• Lesson plan is done easily when using ICT’s – Teachers are at the advantage of achieving the best in lesson plan if they adopt the use of ICT’s.
• The use of ICT’s enable the teacher to make whole clan teaching and learning of integrated science more dynamic.
• The use of ICT’s by the teachers enable them to develop interactive materials which authoring software, which can be used to enable students to focus on the learning of integrated science.
Students:
• Develop learning states – Students can work with ICT’s to develop their understanding, analytical and organizational skills in integrated science and other science subjects.
• Learn in more varied ways:- Students can work effectively at their own Pace and level, using differentiated materials, and other ICT’s resources.
• Students can work flexibly away from classroom, and receive feedback immediately on a particular topic on integrated science. Via the use of ICT’s.
• Students can communicate with their peer students using e-mail, video conferencing, blogs, wikis, social networking sites and text messages to develop their target topic on integrated science with their peers in other part of the world.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
COMPUTER:- This is an electronic machine that can store, organize and find information, and workout arithmetic. Also, it controls other machine with high speed and accuracy.
Machine:- It is a device that makes work done easier and faster.
IT:- This is a short form of information technology that deals with the use of computer and telecommunication to retrieve, store and transmit information.
INTERNET:- This is a specific collaboration of independently management network to communication with each other across organization and geographical boundaries.
PROJECTOR:- It is an apparatus for projecting photographs or films unto a screen.