Abstract:

The twenty-first century classrooms coupled with the demands of the new normal at the face of the Covid-19 pandemic have necessitated effective use of online teaching platforms for adequate teaching and learning to occur. This raises the question of how well-versed preschool teachers in Nigeria are in information and communication technology (ICT). This is for the fact that there is a dearth of research on the subject matter. Thus, the researchers were poised to ascertain or assess the level of ICT competency of preschool teachers for the adoption of online teaching during and after Covid-19 pandemic. This research was based on the scientific research paradigm and quantitative research approach, utilising descriptive survey research design. A sample of 165 preschool teachers in Nsukka Education zone of Enugu state, Nigeria participated in the study. An ICT competency questionnaire which was properly validated, and trail tested was used for data collection. The internal consistency reliability index of the questionnaire was estimated to be 0.87 using Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Mean statistical tool was used to analyse the data to provide answer to the research question. It was found that preschool teachers had low level of ICT competency for the adoption of online teaching. This implies that effective online teaching cannot be achieved if the teachers are not subjected to in-service training on the use of ICT in teaching. Thus, it was recommended that Local Government Education Authority should provide in-service ICT training opportunities for the teachers to ensure proper utilization of ICT in teaching.

Keywords:

Assessment, Information and communication technology, Online teaching, Preschool teachers.