COMPUTER SKILLS LEVEL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

Abstract

The study surveys the computer skills and Educational Technology students: A case study of students in Educational Technology department, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state in the use of computer applications software, computer peripherals and internet facilities. Three research questions and one hypothesis were formulated in-line with the research objectives. The population of the study covers 265 Educational Technology undergraduate students of 2021/22 academic session and sample size 157 was derived by direct interpolation from R.V Krejcie and D.W Morgan Table for sample sizes in research activities. The sample size was  stratified into academic levels using proportionate stratified sampling techniques. A research instrument tagged Computer Skills Check List, validated and tested using Cronbach Alpha reliability method with 0.979 outcome was used to elicit responses from the respondents. The research questions were analyzed using frequency count, mean and percentage while the hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance using independent t-test statistics. The result shows that students in Educational Technology department, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state do not possess adequate computer skills for academic purposes. It was therefore recommended that more emphasis should be placed on assessing students’ Computer skills as part of the students’ continuous assessment, stakeholder should equip Educational Technology labouratory with modern and relevant ICT based equipment, periodic vocational counseling should be offered to encourage gender balance in drive to acquire computer skills. The study also recommended among others that in the process of admission into the university education to study Educational Technology, a minimum of proficient computer skills level of applicants should be considered for admission and that the Government should help by subsiding or reducing the tariffs on importation of ICT facilities so that individual student in Educational Technology can afford the purchase.