Teacher Education Library E – Resources Integration Assessment

Abstract

Expensive technological hardware and software, prohibitive high cost of installing e – learning systems, dedication required in terms of time and skills development and experts required to service e – learning resources systems, are some challenges developing countries face in using e – resources for teaching and learning. In the context of these challenges, this study was conducted at a library of a secondary teachers’ college Y in Zimbabwe, to gain insight on the nature of E – Resources Integration. Qualitative research methods involving interviews, observations, and document analysis were used to generate data. Interviewees who volunteered were pre – services teachers, teacher educators, Librarians, and ICT personnel managing the e – resources system. Through thematic analysis, data presented as verbatim and narratives were interpreted to unpack meaning imbued. Findings show that power outages, poor internet connectivity, lack of: e – resources awareness by prospective users, competences in using e – resources, and computers, were factors which inhibited effective e – resources use for teaching and learning. As a recommendation, libraries should design and provide e – learning resource services which motivate learners consistent with their information needs, hence increasing the probability of usage of such resources.