CAUSES AND REMEDIES FOR COMPUTER SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES DEFICIENCIES AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA
Abstract
The study was on the causes and remedies for computer skills and competencies deficiencies among undergraduate students in Educational Technology in North Central Nigeria. Three research questions were asked from a sample of 324 undergraduate students in Educational Technology, taken from a population of 2,075 Educational Technology undergraduate students in public universities in North Central, Nigeria using Computer Skills and Competencies Questionnaire (CSCQ) through a descriptive survey design. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count and mean. The result showed that the causes of computer skills deficiencies were limited access to technology or outdated equipment hindering learning opportunities, insufficient formal education or training in computer science or related field, lack of exposure to diverse software applications and platform, inadequate self-study or practice in using of computer system and software among others. Similarly, the causes of weak commitment to the development of computer competencies were low self-efficacy (confidence) in their ability to learn and master computer skills, external distraction such as social media, gaming and so on, ineffective teaching methods and lack of assessment of computer competencies in continuous assessment among others. The study recommended among others that university administrators should ensure that admission of students to study Educational Technology at undergraduate level should be based on the students’ level of computer skills and competencies, emphasis should be placed on perceived relevance of computer skills and competencies in Educational Technology by the stakeholders in the field, the Educational Technology undergraduate students curriculum should be taught with effective teaching methodology so as to enhance employability skills among undergraduate students.