INFLUENCE OF UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN TEACHING PHYSICS ON STUDENT COMPETENCES IN PUBLIC DAY LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOL IN RWANDA A CASE OF KICUKIRO DISTRICT

The adoptions of ICT tools in education have gained significant attention globally due to their potential to enhance teaching and learning experiences. This study aims to examine the influence of ICT tools in teaching Physics on student competence in public day schools in Kicukiro District, Rwanda. The study has three specific objectives which are to assess the influence of multimedia on students competences in Physics in lower secondary schools of Kicukiro district, to evaluate the influence of computer based simulation on students competences in Physics in public lower secondary schools in Kicukiro district and to determine the influence of virtual experiment on students competence in Physics on lower public secondary school of Kicukiro district. The finding of this study was offered insight to teachers, school administrators, education policies makers and ICT industry for working better in globalized digital age. The study was also provided valuable insights for policymakers and educators to enhance the teaching and learning of Physics in public schools through the effective use of ICT tools. The selection of participants for this study were employed various methods including both simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The study gathered data through questionnaire with Likert scale statements and interview guide. Specifically, thequestionnaire were made for students while interview guides were designed for head teacher and teachers of Physics. The studys population was 11994 people consist of 26 head teachers, 38 teachers of Physics and 11930 Students from all of the Kicukiro Districts lower public secondary school. The study utilized descriptive survey design to analyses data and examines relationship between ICT tool and student competence. A sample size of 387were chosen by using Yamane formula. The selection of participants for this study were employed various methods including both simple random for 387 students and purposive sampling techniques for 24 head teachers and 34 teachers of Physics. The analysis procedure involved the use of descriptive statistics. Each item from questionnaire and interview were systematically categorized.Theresultsshowedthatthereisastatisticallysignificantrelationship(r=.865, p < .01) between use of multimedia and conceptual understanding and retention of knowledge in public lower secondary schoolsofKicukiro District. Furthermore, according to the findings, there is a strong positivecorrelation (r = .802, p < .01) between simulation and engagement in learning experiences. Finally, the results indicate that there is a moderate to strong positive correlation(r = .735, p < .01) use of virtual experiment and improved score in examination. The findings revealed that simulation and multimedia were prevalent with high participation rate among students. Researcher recommend several key included student to utilize simulation and multimedia as new tools especially STEM will enhance engagement and a standardized evaluation framework based on the discoveries that every student felt that ICT tools improved their competence in Physics. This framework would enable a systematic assessment of the impact of utilize ICT tools in teaching. Based on findings that students highly valued their using ICT tools and perceived them as beneficial, organizing a national curriculum can further incentivize schools to invest in high-quality program.