Project Materials

INFLUENCE OF INADEQUATE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF OTM STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, EDE)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to test the hypothesis that OTM students at Federal Polytechnic, Ede, are less likely to succeed academically when faced with insufficient IT resources. The purpose of the study was to determine whether students majoring in office technology have access to technologies that could help them do better in school. The research also looks at the correlation between IT and the grades that office technology management students get. In addition, the study seeks to determine whether or not students enrolled in office technology management face difficulties when utilising information technology. Finally, the study suggests ways that information technology might be improved to help office technology management students do better in school. Researchers used a survey-based descriptive approach for this investigation. A grand total of 141 survey replies were found to be legitimate. Office technology students have access to IT resources that can help them succeed academically, according to the results of the survey. Office technology management students also show a correlation between IT and their grades. In addition, students in the field of office technology management sometimes struggle with basic computer skills. Lastly, in order to improve academic performance, it is recommended that the institution’s management allocate more resources to information technology (IT) infrastructure, that upper-level administrators take a more active interest in the utilisation of ICT tools, and that compliance with IT policies be made more relevant to promote skill acquisition. In light of this, the research concludes that educational institutions should invest in IT infrastructure to address identified curriculum issues. Institutional leadership should also acknowledge IT’s usefulness and influence in improving both qualitative and quantitative decision-making for fruitful scholastic production. At last, in order to promote students’ skill acquisition and competency, upper-level management should make IT facility compliance more relevant.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 

Information technology has evolved into a powerful instrument that facilitates our day-to-day tasks. Information technology has been used by numerous organisations as a tool that requires comprehension, familiarity with the concept, and the capacity to appropriately adapt its utilisation. The incorporation of IT into university systems is something that institutions are becoming used to.

The right kind of academic activity and efficient management at universities can move forward much more quickly with this as a propellant. In order to process and communicate the data or information that has been collected, various infrastructures and technologies are used.

All of the University’s and its employees’ and students’ electronic devices, including but not limited to cell phones, PDAs, laptops, radios, TVs, network communication devices, satellite systems, software, hardware, and a host of other services and applications, are part of this infrastructure and technology (Kumar, 2006).

Despite their original intent, many technologies have made their way into classrooms. Such that all members of the school community, from administration to teachers to students, are involved in its implementation and use.

There are differing opinions among researchers as to whether it improves academic activities, facilitates e-learning, or is an integral part of the learning process.

Regardless of the name, the goal is the same: to make learning and knowledge acquisition easier for students, easier for academic staff to assess, and for management to keep effective and efficient records for various uses. But there is a lack of information technology resources that may improve classroom instruction and student achievement in office technology management courses.

Computer-Based Testing, also known as Computer-Based Assessment or e-examination, is a unique method of evaluating student knowledge that was developed with the help of computers and associated technologies. Exams can now be administered, processed, recorded, and graded entirely online.

Computer-Based Testing, which was adopted by Federal Polytechnic Ede, uses computers to evaluate students according to their coursework, as the name suggests.

Either a standalone computer connected to a local network or an online learning environment with a learning management system could be used for this purpose.

Originally developed for use in language exams like the TOEFL and IT certification exams, computer-based testing has now expanded to serve a wider range of purposes. model catering to components of almost every market that was previously controlled by pencil and paper testing. Surveys, quizzes, tests, and examinations can be organised and reported using CBT, as pointed out by Friedrich (2008).

Ndume et al. (2008) found that when these tools are used correctly, they make learning easier. Using these tools, the academic achievement of both students and teachers has been outstanding.

Ugwuadu and Joda (2013) discovered that compared to traditional students, those taught using computer-mediated learning outperformed their peers.

Nonetheless, evaluation by students is a crucial part of education since it allows everyone involved—students, parents, instructors, and administrators—to gauge progress and make informed changes about the curriculum.

Due to its validity and dependability to the student, instructor, management, and other relevant institutions that the result could be used, the administration of examinations as assessments is just as important as the entire learning process.

Statement Of The Problem

Inadequate information technology prevents students from gaining access to the information they need, which is crucial for their academic performance. With the rise of ICTs, students now have access to more resources than only university libraries while researching topics.

But there are a lot of instances when office technology isn’t adequately provided, particularly for students majoring in office technology management. These include, but aren’t limited to, economic factors, theft of funds, and a lack of high-quality equipment. Examining how OTM students’ academic performance is affected by inadequate information technology is the focus of this research.

Purpose Of The Study

The study’s overarching goal is to determine how OTM students’ academic performance is affected by insufficient information technology. More specifically, these goals will serve as the basis for the research.

In order to find out if students majoring in office technology have access to computers so they can do better in school.

Examine the correlation between IT and the academic success of office technology management majors.

In order to determine whether there are any difficulties with the usage of technology among students enrolled in office technology management courses.

To suggest measures that can be taken to improve the quality of information technology in order to enhance the academic achievement of students majoring in office technology management.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

For this study, we have formulated the following enquiries.

Can students majoring in office technology use available IT resources to their advantage in class?

Does knowledge of IT correlate with how well office technology management students do in school?

Does the usage of technology provide any difficulties for students enrolled in office technology management courses?

How can we ensure that students majoring in office technology management have access to sufficient information technology to help them succeed in school?

The significance Of The Study

The impact of subpar IT on OTM students’ academic achievement is the focus of this research.

This study is very important for the information and communication technology (ICT) department at the Federal Polytechnic Ede because ICTs have an impact on both the social and economic spheres. In this study, we will investigate why students struggle to gain access to relevant information in the classroom.

Because it adds to what is already known, this study will have a big impact on academics.

Scope of the Study

In order to improve their academic performance, this study will look at whether or not students majoring in office technology have access to information technology. The study will also look at how well office technology management students do academically in respect to IT.

The research will go a step further by determining whether or not students majoring in office technology management face difficulties when utilising IT.

The study will conclude with recommendations for improving office technology management students’ academic performance through the use of more suitable information technology. We will therefore restrict our research to the Federal Polytechnic Ede in the state of Osun.

Limitations Of The Study

A number of issues, including the following, limited the scope of this study:

The same challenges that plague other types of research also affect this one, such as a lack of relevant and reliable resources, difficulties in collecting data, etc.

The researcher encountered financial constraints when acquiring necessary supplies and when printing and compiling surveys.

Another limitation is the researcher’s lack of free time, which makes it difficult for them to focus on both the research and other academic tasks.