An investigation of the factors that promote and hinder the use of ICT in an Irish adult education and training centre

Abstract

non-peer-reviewed

Due to the widespread use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
 within all aspects of today’s society, ICT use within all education sectors,
 including adult education must be encouraged in order to fully prepare learners for
 employment. This case study examines factors that facilitate and impede the use
 of ICT within education and identifies factors that are specific to adult education.
 This study primarily investigates the role of ICT within two adult education
 programmes, namely the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) and
 the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) within an Adult Education and Training
 Centre (AETC) in Ireland.
 Primary research involved observing the eight teachers in the AETC to identify if
 and how they use ICT within their specific subject area. In addition,
 questionnaires were disseminated to these teachers and to a random sample of 30
 learners, 15 learners from each programme. Alongside this, a semi-structured
 interview was carried out with the co-ordinators from both of the aforementioned
 programmes.
 This study identified a disparity in ICT use across these specific adult education
 programmes. VTOS teachers and learners have increased ICT funding resulting
 in increased availability and accessibility of ICT resources. Consequently, VTOS
 teachers are highly trained and competent in ICT enabling the creation of versatile
 and innovative learning environments for VTOS learners. Comparatively, BTEI
 teachers do not experience the same levels of ICT funding, therefore have fewer
 opportunities to learn or develop ICT skills. BTEI teachers and learners have
 access to fewer ICT resources and subsequently BTEI teachers are less
 knowledgeable, competent or confident using ICT in their classrooms. Although
 inconsistencies in ICT use exist across programmes, all teachers and learners in
 the AETC acknowledge that ICT skills are crucial in today’s society.
 Accordingly, this study suggests that unless this disparity is addressed and
 resolved, the AETC is failing to meet the ICT requirements and needs of all adult
 learners.