AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) RESOURCES IN TEACHING OF BUSINESS EDUCATION COURSES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE

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ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to investigate the availability and utilization of ICT resources in teaching of business education courses in tertiary institutions in Ogun State. The study adopted a survey research design. A population of 30 business education lecturers was used for the study. Four research questions and three null hypotheses were raised and formulated respectively to guide the study. Data collected were analyzed using the mean and standard deviation for the research questions while t test statistic was used for testing the null hypotheses.It was found out from the study that:nine out of twenty ICT resources were available for teaching business education courses; information communication technology resources were often utilized for teaching business education courses  and  information and communication technology resources highly contributed to the teaching of business education courses in tertiary institutions in Ogun State; All the problems presented were facing the teaching of business education courses using information and communication technology resources in tertiary institutions in Ogun State. There was no significant difference in the Mean ratings of male and female business education lecturers on; the level of utilization of ICT resources; the contributions of information and communication technology resources  and the problem facing information and communication technology resources in teaching business education in tertiary institutions in Ogun State. It was recommended that: relevant information and communication technology resources for teaching business education courses should be provided by government and philanthropists in the society. Also, Workshop, seminars and short time training should be organized for business education lecturers by school administrators and government in order to improve their skills in using all kinds of ICT resources for business education courses.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The twentieth century has brought growth and improvement to Business Education Courses in the area of information and Communication Technology. The rate of growth in information handling is quite alarming and has posed great challenges to all business educators (Oliver and Bernard, 2010).

Business education course is run in education institutions all over the world. Although their structures may vary, the aims of the courses are consistent. According to America Vocational Association (AVA) in Osuala (2004) described business education as a programmed of instruction which consists of two parts.

a.         Office Education, a vocational education programmed for office careers through initial, and upgrading education leading to employ ability and advancement in office occupations, and

b.         General business education, a programmed to provide students with information and competencies which are needed by all in managing personal business affairs and in using the services of the business world.

Makeri (1990) noted that Business Education is an educational programmed that prepares students not only for entry into advancement, but also prepares individuals to handle their own business affairs and to function intelligently as consumers and citizens.

Njoku (2007) further posited that it is educational programmed that equips the recipients with functional saleable skills; knowledge and attitude/value that enable them operate in the environment they find themselves. This operational statement buttresses business education as a study that provides the skills, knowledge and competencies needed for managing any successful business outfit, and also makes the recipients of business education programmed to be self-reliant or employer of labour.

From the above definitions, it is crystal clear that business education has a variety of benefits to make the youth useful as an employee, an entrepreneur or to be self-reliant. The fact remains that business education enhances job creation and entrepreneurship development. The general aim of business education is to provide students with saleable skills and competencies needed to enhance the productive capacity of the citizens and to produce better consumers of goods and services (NCCE 2002).

Mebane (2000) said that the products of business education constitute very critical inputs to production in the quest for economic and national development. The rate of development of a nation depends on availability and utilization of ICT resources in all fields of economy. It will be shameful if the products of business education are found wanting in the world of work already permeated by these innovations. Nigerians are currently living in computer age. It can be vividly said that there is no area of life that does not have its own share of ICT resources as it affects our personal life, education, games, government and many more (Awuya and Iwuga  2000). To Onumah (2006) Information and Communication Technology Resources are vital factors in the students’ knowledge, acquisition of skills and ideas. Education would be failing woefully unless lecturers are familiar with the use of CD ROMs, E-mail, Internet, and on-line database searching.