Influence of curriculum digital content utilisation on learners assessment and achievement in biology among secondary schools in Kenya

Authors

  • Samuel Nyaga Jesse Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development
  • John Nyamai Maundu Kenyatta University, Kenya
  • Nicholas Wanjala Twoli Kenyatta University, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol6.iss7.1093

Keywords:

Curriculum Support Materials, Curriculum Digital Content, Assessment, Achievement

Abstract

The curriculum support materials used in an instructional process may influence assessment and achievement of learners. Curriculum support materials are both print and electronic in nature. One of the main electronic curriculum support materials used in schools is interactive digital content. In recent years, there has been rapid expansion in curriculum digital content access and utilization in Kenyan schools. However, little has been done to establish how utilization of curriculum digital content in the instructional process influences learners’ assessment and achievement. The study reported in this paper therefore investigated the influence of curriculum digital content utilisation on secondary school learners’ assessment and achievement in Biology. It was guided by two specific objectives including to: investigate the influence of the utilisation of Biology digital content on learners’ assessment and examine the influence of the utilisation of Biology digital content on learners’ achievement. A mixed methods approach that employed triangulation design was used in this study. Data was obtained from fifteen Economic Stimulus Programme-ICT phase 1 secondary schools in Nairobi County. Three instruments including Biology teacher questionnaire, learners’ focus group discussion guide and documents analysis sheet were used for data collection. The collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in form of notes, tables, and graphics. This study found out that most assessment aspects improved with curriculum digital content utilization. In addition, utilisation of curriculum digital content had a positive influence on the achievement of secondary school learners in Biology. The study recommended that all schools, and not only ESP-ICT schools, be provided with proper infrastructure to enable learners and teachers access and utilize curriculum digital content in the instructional process. This would enhance assessment modes and learners achievement in secondary schools in Kenya.

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Author Biographies

  • Samuel Nyaga Jesse, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development

    Assistant Director, e-Learning

    Department of Educational Media

    Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development

    P.O. Box 30231-00100

    Nairobi-Kenya

    Mobile No +254721678027

  • John Nyamai Maundu, Kenyatta University, Kenya

    Associate Professor

    Department of Educational Communication and Technology

    Kenyatta University

    P.O. Box 43844-00100

    Nairobi-Kenya

    Mobile No +254721210374

  • Nicholas Wanjala Twoli, Kenyatta University, Kenya

    Associate Professor

    Department of Educational Communication and Technology

    Kenyatta University

    P.O. Box 43844-00100

    Nairobi-Kenya

    Mobile No +254721451323

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Published

2018-07-01

How to Cite

Jesse, S. N., Maundu, . J. N., & Twoli, N. W. (2018). Influence of curriculum digital content utilisation on learners assessment and achievement in biology among secondary schools in Kenya. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 6(7), 121-135. https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol6.iss7.1093