The potential of integrating ICT into the teaching and learning of chemical bonds in senior high schools in Ghana - A case study

This study was undertaken to investigate the potential of integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the teaching and learning of chemical bonding. Chemical bonding is a topic which is abstract in nature and requires the introduction of tangible elements to enable students build mental models for conceptual understanding. Nowadays, students spend more time with technological tools and prefer to use them in performing tasks and so this was tapped upon. Thirty students of Keta Senior High School in Keta, Ghana, who were randomly selected and three chemistry teachers purposely chosen, participated in the study. It employed both qualitative and quantitative methods for collection of data through pre- and post-tests, and the administration of an opinion questionnaire to assess improvement in performance after a chemistry software was used to teach the concept of chemical bonds. The integration of ICT into the teaching and learning of chemical bonds had the potential to reduce its abstraction while allowing students the premise to apply technologies that they were familiar with. Majority of the students (about 95%) had higher marks during the post test.

Keywords: Chemical Bonding, Conceptual understanding, ICT. Ghana