Information Communication Technology (ICT) Use for Postgraduate Studies by Students in Universities in Kenya
- June 22, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Category: Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186
Emily Nyabisi
Department of Educational Management and Curriculum Studies, Mount Kenya University, Kenya
Abstract-Higher education, especially postgraduate training, plays a critical role in developing a highly skilled workforce for a competitive global economy and sustainable development. However, postgraduate training in most African countries, Kenya included, faces several challenges; key among them the long periods of time taken to complete the training. This is despite advancement in technology that should be utilized for timely completion of postgraduate studies. This study sought to assess the use of ICT by post graduate students in Universities in Kenya; by exploring the areas of use, proficiency in use, effect of use on progression and the challenges of using ICT. The data for the study was collected from a small, representative group of postgraduate students from six randomly selected universities in Kenya. The data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules; in a mixed methods approach. The quantitative data was analyzed by use of both descriptive and inferential statistics; whereas the qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings of this study were used to make recommendations for enhancing the use of ICT in postgraduate training.
Key Words: Postgraduate training; Information Communication Technology; Utilization; Proficiency.
I. INTRODUCTION
The importance of education in general, and higher education in particular, in the development of any nation cannot be overemphasized. It is this recognition that education at all levels is a powerful tool in promoting sustainable development that led to the concept of ‘Education for Sustainable Development.’ Reference [18] notes that in 2002, the United Nations declared 2005-2014 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development;
