INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

This research emerge as a result of the researcher’s observation on the use of information communication technology in teaching Islamic studies in upper basics schools. The scope of the subject is very wide to be covered within the period of classroom lessons which needs the use of computer in order to have adequate knowledge about the content by the students.

Information Communication Technology has affect every aspect of human activity and has a vital role to play in education. This helps in promoting opportunity of knowledge sharing throughout the globe. Information communication technology reflects revolve three technology; digital computing, data storage and ability to transmit digital signal through telecommunication network. These can help the teachers and students to have up-to-date information and knowledge about Islam. The use of Information technology in the teaching of Islamic studies is very important so that the material taught becomes more understandable and presentable for the student to gain more experience as well as to enable them to make use of information easily.

Information technologies according to Haaq (1998) are set of tools that can help provide the right people the right information at the right time students are independent and they can make best decision possible about their studies, learning time, place and resources.

Branson (1991) in his own contribution, stated that student learn not only by the teacher and by interacting with one another. Indeed, students can learn much more than their teacher teaches in conventional learning environments for productive teaching learning process, teachers and students have to use information technologies according to their requirement and availability.

The sources of knowledge, according to the Islamic studies as defined by the Islamization of knowledge (2010) includes all the traditional forms of religious though such as Kalam (Islamic technology) and fiqh (Islam Jurisprudence) and also as simulates fields generally considered to be secular in the west, such as Islamic science and Islamic economics.

According to Waliyi (2012) quoting Wishart (1999) one of the key motivating factors of information communication technology is its ability to provide appropriate challenges for pupils in all abilities. The growth of information in Arabic and Islamic studies make it necessary to embrace information communication technology resources to enable them acquire current and wider knowledge in these are of teaching. A few primary and secondary schools in plateau state have computer but are not necessarily using them to teach Arabic and Islamic studies. In addition there are some schools in Asa Local Government of Kwara State, that have computer but they are not using them for teaching Arabic and Islamic studies in upper basic schools. Even many schools in Nigeria as a whole are yet to embrace the use of computer for teaching and learning.

Therefore, the need was view to look into the relevance of information communication technology on the teaching of Islamic studies in the twenty-first century in our upper basic schools. So, this will enable the teacher and student of Islamic studies to up-date their knowledge adequately about them.

Statement of the Problem

It is the duty of Islamic teachers to impact knowledge that does not conflict with the teaching of Islam. Many Islamic scholars absolutely object to the idea of using modern technology in fear of its adverse effects to the Muslim populace. Abubakar (2009) identifies a suraliket website which produce four fabricate. Suwer in Arabic, English and transliterate formats entitle surah-at-Iman, surah at-Tajassud, surah Al-Muslimon and surah al-wasiya where verse inimical to Islamic teachings were display. In addition, Oladimeji (2009) also identified some websites which disseminates using information about Islam. Such includeswww.maarifatuAllah.com, www.imanbaihaqi.com and www.qaradawi.com; http://www.qaradawi.net, www.qaradawi.com which he classifies among websites develop to disseminate Islamic knowledge. However, it will be short sight of Islamic scholars to close their eyes at the usefulness of the medium to the teaching of Islamic studies especially in upper basic schools.

Therefore, according to Oloyede (2004), suggests that many fundamental adjustment need to be effect in the content and methodology of the discipline of Islamic studies in the light of constant changing challenges pose by materialism, secularism and exploitation which are the irresistible instrument for the domination of contemporary world. In the light of this, teachers of Islamic studies are expect to be abreast of the modern technological advancement so that their method of teaching are improve upon.

In this regard some challenges of Islamic studies in the contemporary information and communication technology are hereby considered. Hence, the concern of this study is to examine and make an investigation on the relevance of information communication technology on teaching Islamic in upper basic school in Asa Local Government Area.