Investigating the relevance of Artificial Intelligence in teaching of basic science and technology in isiala Mbano, Imo state, Nigeria

Rowland Chibuike Nzeako¹,
Fransica Chinwe Igwe²,
Fiat Mary Uzoegbu³,
Magnus C. Unegbu⁴

¹²³⁴Library and Information Science, Alvan Ikoku Federal  University of Education, Nigeria

Abstract

The study is aimed to investigate the relevance of integrating artificial Intelligence in basic science and technology in teaching by secondary school teachers in Isi- ala Mbano,Imo State,Nigeria. Three research questions were formulated in accordance with the   purpose of the study.  Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The instrument used for data collections were questionnaires and the population for the study consisted of three hundred and fifty five (355) upper Basic  school teachers in secondary school in  Isi ala Mbano Local  Government Area ,Imo State. Samples sizes of one hundred and sixty seven(167) were randomly drawn from the entire population of the study through a simple sampling technique .The instrument used for data collection was titled  Relevance on Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Basic Science and technology (RAIBSAT).Pilot test was carried out using two secondary school and data obtained were tested using split-half method and thereafter pearson product moment correlation which obtained a reliability coefficient 0f 0.78.Mean rating were used to analyze the data   Findings show that teachers are aware of Adaptive learning stysem,(ALS),Intelligent Tutoring system(ITS),and Virtual laboratories  and simulation offer immense  digital teaching .Furthermore, some challenges to the use of tool include absence of laptop, poor internet connectivity, infrastructural limitations, negative attitude of teachers and competence. Based on the results the study recommended that workshop on emerging technological tools especially artificial Intelligence should be designed and made compulsory to all teachers. In addition, integration of Adaptive learning System (ALS),Intelligent tutoring System (ITS), Virtual Laboratories and simulations (VLS) and others  should be integrated  in teaching  of Basic science.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Emerging technological tools, and Basic science teachers