AVAILABILITY AND USAGE OF ICT RESOURCES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CLASSROOMS

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has rapidly emerged as one of the most effective tools in the education of young learners. Integration and usefulness of ICT in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is a researchable area as School Education Departments Pakistan are in the process of revamping their ECE programs in accordance with international standards. It has been found essential to investigate the status and use of ICT resources in ECE classrooms, as well as the demographic profile of the sample in terms of gender, age, educational qualification, teaching experience, ICT-related training, knowledge of ICT, technical skills, use of ICT in the classroom, age groups of children taught and the school sector. The study was quantitative in nature. 200 ECE teachers of 50 schools of Lahore city were selected as sample for data collection through random sampling technique. An adapted survey questionnaire was used and descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis. Findings revealed that television was the most available ICT resource, whereas video recorders were the least available in ECE classrooms. Young learners’ usage time of music and movement tools has been found to be the highest, whereas playing games on computers has shown the least usage time. The sample was predominantly female, relatively young, highly educated, and moderately experienced, with most having received professional training and demonstrating adequate ICT awareness and usage. Respondents mainly taught early preschool children (3-4 years), and were largely from private pre-schools. It has been recommended that continuous professional teachers training targeting integration of ICT into ECE teaching is essential. Funds should be allocated to ensure availability of required ICT resources for positive and effective early childhood education learning and development outcomes.

Keywords: Early Childhood Education (ECE), ECE classrooms, ECE learners, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), ICT resources.