ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to examine the Influence Of E-Learning Resources Utilization on Effective Teaching of Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. In order to carry out the research study, (12) Business Studies teachers were selected from (10) schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, the teachers were randomly sample for the study. The instrument used in gathering or collecting data was fifteen (15) itemed questionnaire three research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Chi-square (X2) was used to analyzed the data. The study revealed that, E-learning resources utilization enhanced effective teaching of Business Studies in Junior Secondary Schools. It was also identify that the utilization of computers, projectors and digital libraries aid in effective teaching of Business Studies in schools.
Influence Of E-Learning Resources Utilization On Effective Teaching Of Business Studies
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Teachings are transformational activities which involve two major variables – teacher and student. In the teaching-learning process emphasis is on students and on increasing their potentials to contribute to educational excellence. In addition to their conventional roles as recipients, students are the raw materials for education.
Teaching itself is a two way communication but learning is more important than teaching because if teaching does not result in learning, it is futile (Rao, 2008). This implies that any teaching which does not result in a change in the bahaviour of learners is not teaching at all. Thus, prima facie terms like “need-based” teaching are used to describe the type of teaching that can put learners on achievement track. According to Bassey & Umoren, (2007) any teaching plan should be a symbiosis of theoretical vigour with “hand on” practical application. This however makes the utilization of E-learning by both teachers and students in teaching of Business studies in junior secondary schools a serious issue.
Federal republic of Nigeria (FRN, 2004) views junior secondary school as an important and integral part of the Nigerian education system. It is a programme of three years benefited by children whose ages range between thirteen (13) and fifteen (15) years. A core course in its curriculum is Business studies which form the basic subjects that enable students acquire further skills which are common and fundamental to all personal and occupational activities (Inyang, 2007). The uniqueness of Business Studies emerges from its dual function of simultaneous development of the intellectual ability and personal skills of the students, having a significant effect on the standard of living and quality of life of people, and on the environment in which they live and which future generations will inherit (Ekanem, 2008).
Eventually, all students will encounter the world of business, whether they work in urban or rural areas. They must be prepared to engage in business activity with confidence and competence, hence the teaching and learning of Business Studies requires effective utilization of E-learning facilities for the inculcation of these skills especially to match pace with changes already experienced globally in the way both office work and business activities are carried out.
E-learning in education is the wholesome integration of modern telecommunication equipments, particularly the internet into the education system (Bassey & Umoren, 2007). E-learning as an aspect of Information and Communication Technology is relatively new in Nigeria’s educational system. It is a departure from the conventional approach in curriculum implementation. The main purpose of e-learning is to transform the old methods and approaches to curriculum implementation and not to silence the curriculum or to erase the content of the curriculum.
Hence, a qualitative teaching and learning of business studies requires effective utilization of E-learning facilities. These resources include but not limited to computer and audio-visual aids, the internet broadcasting technologies and digital libraries (Adoni and Kpangbam, 2010; Chukwudi and Ejita, 2008). For instance, Computers’ role in learning is simplification of reality, often with exaggerated cause-effect linkages which can be very effective in a teaching context (Garson 2005).
In schools, computers are widely used; and the need for computer technology and literacy in the educational system has become more relevant.
Hence, effective teaching of Business studies also require the use of audio-visual aids such as projectors and interactive smart boards. Visual Aids are materials which are employed while teaching to aid learning by stimulating the senses (lmogie and Agun, 2008). Eze (2013) also states that the human being learns more easily and faster by audio-visual processes than by verbal explanations alone. His ability to arrive at abstract concept through perceptual experience is however a phenomenon not clearly explained and perhaps not explicable.
Moreover, the flexibility of learning provided by digital libraries enhances and advances the informal system of learning (Twoli, 2007). It gives learners and instructors an opportunity to attain the highest level of education. Wallace, (2008) avers that the digital libraries encourage authentic inquiry learning by providing students access to online resources, and such resources permit students to enjoy a flexible learning arrangement which allows them to pursue their own interests within the bounds of the curriculum.
Therefore, the effectiveness of teaching business studies in Junior Secondary schools requires a wholesome integration of E-learning resources as a potent tool for instructional delivery and a requirement for educational flexibility (Reid & Rushton 2009). Hence, it is imperative to research into the influence of E-learning resources utilization and effective teaching of business studies in junior secondary school in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Teaching of Business Studies over the years has faced various problems ranging from the use of poor instructional approach, relying on textbooks information and teacher’s-class verbalization due to the general poor attitude towards innovation (Candau, 2003). On the side of the learner, the problem with Business Studies literacy seems to revolve around the understanding of concepts, its retention, and its presentation in an examination context. The problem is worsened by limited time for syllabus coverage and thorough revision in preparation for the national examination (Junior WAEC). Considering the fact that computer and other telecommunication devices utilization for teaching of Business Studies at junior secondary school level is yet to be formerly recognized as a means of improving students academic performances, because curriculum developers underestimate its importance at that level, teaching of Business Studies is further compounded, as E-learning resources are not available or utilized to demystify complex concepts for clearer understanding of the learner (Ukpebor, 2010).
E-learning resources are useful in teaching because they make the work of teachers easier; they help students learn better by enhancing their learning environment and increasing learning resources with a dramatic effect on learners and teachers as concluded by Reid & Rushton (2006). But, where E-learning resources are not used effectively, they do not add value to teaching. Therefore, if teachers of Business Studies are to improve students’ cognitive and affective abilities in the subject, then they must seek an alternative approach to instruction by adopting the use of E-learning resources in the teaching process. It’s therefore becomes imperative to investigate on how E-learning resources utilization influence effective teaching of Business Studies in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study is to examine the influence of E-learning resources utilization on effective teaching of Business Studies in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. Specifically, the study sought to:
- Examine the influence of the use of computers on effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
- Assess the influence of the use of projectors on effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
- Assess the influence of digital libraries on the effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:
- To what extent does the use of computers influence effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools?
- To what extent does the use of projectors influences effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools?
- To what extent does the use of digital library influence effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary?
1.5 Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses were formulated:
- There is no significant influence of the use of computers on effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
- There is no significant influence of the use of projectors on effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
- There is no significant influence of the use of digital libraries on effective teaching of Business Studies in junior Secondary schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
Influence Of E-Learning Resources Utilization On Effective Teaching Of Business Studies
Significance of the Study
The findings of this study would be of benefit to teachers, parents, students, school administrators, other researchers, and policy makers in the following ways:
- The findings of the study would be of significance to teachers that they will cultivate the habit of using E-learning facilities in their classroom instructions to aid their teaching.
- It would also be significance to government to provide the necessary E-learning facilities for schools and carry out an in-service training of teachers to aid them in utilization of such facilities.
- The findings of the study would enable the curriculum planners to identify and find solutions to problems of effective teaching of Business Studies in Secondary schools.
- Policy makers would make good use of the findings when making and amending educational polices.
- Other researches could build on the findings of this study and use it in a larger scope of study.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study would have covered the entire study area. But due to some restrictions such as finance and time, the study was delimited to five (5) Secondary schools in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. It was also delimited to E-learning resources in the area of computers, projectors and digital libraries as it influence effective teaching of Business Studies.
Originally posted on October 12, 2021 @ 11:48 am
