THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN LESSON PLANNING 

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study    

Technology in the classroom has altered how students learn beyond teacher teaching and textbooks, as well as how instructors evaluate pupils. Student involvement is increased by technology. If instructors can teach the same subjects in new ways, this technology may give alternative chances and simulations to make learning more engaging. Teachers, for example, diversify their instruction by using a variety of instructional systems and apps. Teaching variations promote the learning process and involvement, which might be difficult to do in a regular classroom. Teachers may utilize technology to optimize their lesson preparation techniques in order to offer collaborative activities with students or among peers.

Individual learning and reflection are encouraged by technology, and kids may develop essential lifetime skills (Mua  K.2016).

Teachers can give tailored learning that caters to the demands of various student learning styles and abilities. This change, however, may require time and a significant amount of technical and pedagogical expertise (Ndongfack, M. 2015).

Technology has now torn down the barriers of distance. Through virtual classrooms, an instructor may have pupils from all around the globe. Teachers and students may quickly connect via phones, Skype, and other devices, allowing teaching and learning to take use of many creative platforms. It seem difficult, if not impossible, to discuss excellent education without including the use of ICT. Because of its unique ability to bring the globe together, even the most rural and underprivileged places, ICT is seen as one of the foundations upon which excellent education for everyone may actually become a reality. The goal of using ICT in education from the beginning was to shift the teaching and learning process away from the conventional instructional teacher-centered endeavor and toward a learner-centered approach with active involvement of the learner coach. As a result, it became the teacher's responsibility to arrange the classroom and provide pupils with additional possibilities and control over their learning, as outlined in her lesson plan. A lesson plan is a road map for a teacher to follow while conducting a lesson. It generally comprises the objective (what students should learn), how the objective will be attained (the method of delivery and process), and a technique to assess how well the objective was fulfilled (usually via homework assignments or testing). It is a thorough description of a lesson's path of teaching or "learning trajectory." A teacher creates a daily lesson plan to facilitate class learning. Details may vary according on the teacher's preferences, the material being taught, and the students' requirements. However, the use of technology transforms the lesson preparation process into something like to curriculum design. The primary distinction is in how pupils basically gain skills and information. Technology also influences how people utilize and showcase their newly learned skills and knowledge. It also aids in the assessment and evaluation of their learning. The incorporation of computer usage has an impact on the fundamental framework of a lesson plan. As a result, the purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of technology in lesson preparation.               

1.2 Statement of the Research Problems

Today, technology is possibly the most powerful factor shaping the educational landscape. Many schools are demonstrating their support for increased levels of technology in the classroom by providing hardware such as tablets and computers, improving internet connectivity, and implementing programs aimed at improving computer literacy for both teachers and students. Although teachers generally recognize the benefits of educational technologies, they frequently find the smooth and effective integration of new educational technologies difficult, which discourages them from incorporating technology into their lesson planning process. While most teachers are resistant to technological change, this is due to either a lack of exposure to modern facilities or a lack of understanding of the importance of using these technologies in the teaching-learning process. Technology integration presents significant challenges to educators at all levels of school systems, from the acquisition of new technology equipment to the adaptation of curricula and teaching techniques to incorporate new educational tools. However, teachers must transition from the traditional method of lesson planning to the incorporation of technology, as its importance in the twenty-first century cannot be overstated. Technology can assist teachers in developing lessons that allow fast-paced students to delve deeper into the subject or explore related topics while giving slower students more time to understand the material. As a result, this set is designed to investigate the role of technology in lesson planning.         

1.3 Objective of  the Study 

The main objective of this study is set to examine the role of technology in lesson planning. Specifically it is aimed at achieving the following objectives:

1. To examine the different types of technology that teachers can inculcate in the lesson plan.

2. To investigate the roles of educative technologies in lesson planning.

3. To determine the rate at which teachers in secondary schools use educational technology during lesson planning.

4. To investigate if using educational technology during lesson planning improves the learning outcome.

1.4 Research Questions 

1. What are the different types of technology that teachers can inculcate during th lesson planning?

2. What are  the roles of educative technologies in lesson planning?

3. What is the rate at which teachers in secondary schools use educational technology during lesson planning?

4. Does using educational technology during lesson planning improves the learning outcome?                                            

1.5  Significance of the Study    

This study will be of great significant to teachers, school owners,educational stakeholders and government. To  teachers the study will enlighten them  to start seeing ICT as a better tool to enhance their pedagogic practices thus there there is need for them to put inculcate it for a continous professional development. To school owners the study  will enable them to train their teacher on the use of educational technologies and  make available those technologies that will aid the teacher in lesson planning. To stakeholders and Government, the study will enlighten them  to start thinking of transforming their national curriculum framework entirely to incorporate the use of ICT in the entire domain.           

1.6   Scope of the Study    

The scope of this study borders on the role of technology in lesson planning. It will examine the different types of technology that teachers can inculcate in the lesson plan. It will determine the rate at which teachers in secondary schools use educational technology during lesson planning. It will investigate if using educational technology during lesson planning improves the learning outcome.                                                                                          

1.7 Limitation of the Study     

The following factors pose a limitation during the course of this research.

Financial constraint– Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted to research work.

Unwillingness of Respondent: Owing to the fact that this study is a very sensitive matter, most of the respondents were unwilling to respond accept the instrument while only a few educated and enlightened people accepted the questionnaire and responded accordingly                                     

1.8 Definition of Terms

Lesson Plan: A lesson plan is a teacher's daily guide for what students need to learn, how it will be taught, and how learning will be measured. Lesson plans help teachers be more effective in the classroom by providing a detailed outline to follow each class period.

Technology: Technology is the sum of techniques, skills, methods,tools or machine that can be used by humans.

Educational technology: Educational technology is the combined use of computer hardware, software, and educational theory and practice to facilitate learning

Learning Outcome: Learning outcomes are statements that describe the knowledge or skills students should acquire by the end of a particular assignment, class, course, or program, and help students understand why that knowledge and those skills will be useful to them.