INTEGRATING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) INTO SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM IN NIGERIA PROSPECTS, CONSTRAINTS AND REMEDIES

Abstract

Globally, the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the past decades
has been enormous. ICT plays a crucial role in socio-economic development and in bringing the world together as a global village. ICT is relatively a new development in Nigerian
educational system. It has been found to play a significant role in science education. However, the adoption of ICT and its integration in teaching and learning has met challenges. This paper discussed the constraints to and prospects of integrating ICT into Science Education in Nigeria. The findings, through descriptive research, revealed that science teachers in Nigeria are not using ICT facilities as an integral part of their science teaching/learning process due to some challenges which include high prices of ICT facilities, lack of infrastructure such as
electricity supply, inadequate funding of internet connectivity and lukewarm attitude of many science teachers to be computer literate among others. This paper proffered possible ways of improving ICT integration in science education in Nigeria. It concluded that the importance of ICT integration in science education to improve the quality of science teaching and learning process in schools cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore, science teachers should
see ICT as an indispensable part of science education.