Repositioning Computer Education in Tertiary Institutions in Enugu State using ICT for Sustainable Industries

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the strategies for repositioning Computer Education courses in tertiary institutions in Enugu State using ICT for sustainable industries. It was conducted in three tertiary institutions in Enugu State (University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State of Science and Technology and College of Education Nsukka). Descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. Four specific purposes, research questions and one Hypothesis were stated to guide the study. The population for the study was 300 comprising 20% of sampling population of 60 students and lecturers. Fourty -four (44) students and sixteen lecturers (16) were randomly selected from the three (3) tertiary institutions in Enugu State. Structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and was grouped into two parts: Part 1 comprised information on personal data of respondents, while part 2 was divided into four sections A-D. The instrument was subjected to content validity by three (3) experts in Computer and Robotics Education Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cronbach alpha was used to determine the reliability co-efficient and the reliability value obtained was 0.173. The questionnaire administered was retrieved with 95% turn up. The Instrument was analysed using descriptive statistics and T-test. Ordinal scale of four-point scale was used. The results showed that the respondents agreed with the fact that the use of ICT educational tools in teaching and learning of computer education courses is very strategic in repositioning Computer Education to attain the desired manpower development goals. The findings also showed that most basic ICT learning tools were seldom utilize in lecture delivery. Based on the findings, it was recommended that in order to reposition Computer Education in tertiary institutions for sustainable industrial application, the identified challenges such as non-utilization of ICT based learning tools in knowledge transfer and delivery by lecturers and shortage of instructional resources should be incorporated in educational policy review and implementation. From the study it can be concluded that computer educators in tertiary institutions in Enugu State should adopt the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education tools in teaching courses to their students.