CHALLENGES TEACHERS FACE IN USING EDUCATIONAL APP FOR IMPROVING PUPILS SPEAKNG SKILLS IN ENGLISH STUDIES IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The study was designed to determine the challenges teachers face in using educational
app for improving pupils speaking skills in English Studies in Awka South Local
Government of Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study. Descriptive
survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised of 665 public
primary school teachers in 45 public primary schools in Awka South Local Government
Area of Anambra State. A sample of 200 primary school teachers was used for the study
using simple random sampling technique. The researchers developed an instrument titled
“Challenges Teachers Face in using Educational App for Improving Pupils Speaking
Skills (CTFEAIPSS)” Questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three experts.
Cronbach Alpha was used to measure the internal consistency and co-efficients of 0.77
and 0.79 were obtained with an overall co-efficient of 0.78.Data collected were analyzed
using weighted mean to answer the research questions and standard deviation to
determine the homogeneity or otherwise of the respondents' views. Findings of study
revealed that teachers are faced with challenges in using educational apps; lack of
teacher’s knowledge or proficiencies on the use of educational app and non-availability
of educational apps in schools among others. The study also disclosed that making
educational apps available in schools, providing adequate training for teachers on the
use of educational apps and giving teacher’s opportunities to select/choose educational
apps that they feel most comfortable with among others are the possible solutions to the
challenges teachers encounter. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others
that Anambra State Government in conjunction with Parent Teachers Association (PTA)
should make available the educational apps and its essential connectivity in primary
schools in order to enable pupils diversify their knowledge in technology and be able to
compete with their counterparts whether locally or internationally