- : Ms Word, Ms Word Format
- : 70 Pages
- : ₦5000
- : 1-5 Chapters
- Click to DOWNLOAD Materials
INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON THE SUPERVISION OF UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The study investigated the “Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the Management of Universities in Nigeria”. Nine objectives were postulated in line with research questions and hypotheses. The variables investigated in the objectives include communication, decision-making, planning, staff development, maintenance of discipline, provision of welfare and health services, maintenance of records, interpersonal relationship and provision of games/recreational services. The research design employed in this study was descriptive survey design. The population for the study comprised 138 universities as at the time of the study. These universities include 40 Federal, 40 State and 58 Private universities. These 138 universities were further grouped into six geo-political zones of Nigeria. A stratified sampling technique was adopted for this study in order to give equal chance to all sample representatives and be able to cover all the universities across the six geo-political zones. Consequently, one university was randomly selected from each of the three groups of universities in each geo-political zone, making a total of 18 selected universities. A purposive sampling was used to share 50 copies of questionnaire in each of the 18 universities, which gave a total of 900 as sample size. The data obtained were analyzed using percentages, descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics. Results showed that Information Communication Technology (ICT) enhanced better information dissemination in the Universities, there were inadequate provision of welfare and health services such as lecture room, clinics and accommodation for both staff and students in the Universities and there were inadequate computer centres where the youth, within the neibouring community, can learn in the Universities. Based on the findings, it was concluded that ICT has both positive and negative impacts on the management of universities in Nigeria and that availability of ICT has positive impact on communication in universities in Nigeria. It was recommended among others that university authorities should be more proactive in the provision of modern or up-to date information and communication systems in their universities. Furthermore, in order to enhance discipline in the universities ICT should be used for payment of all fees and levies and be used in conducting computer based tests and examinations.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Nigeria as a nation has recognized the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) in new educational system. The national policy on computer education emphasised the need for the integration of ICT into the Nigeria educational system. The main purpose of ICT in university education is to involve university management into teaching and learning processes with the aid of ICT facilities. ICT facilities comprises internet, e-mail, computer assisted machine (CAM), e-library, facsimile telephone among others. However, ICTs represent a cluster of associated technologies defined by their functional usage in information accessed communication which also involve internet. Internet is worldwide network of computers, and a network of people using computers that make vast information available.
The researcher observed the entire world as a global village. Technological advancement has brought information and communication technology (ICT) into virtually all human endeavours, including teaching and learning processes, acquisition of computer literacy skills as well as good face-value certificate. The researcher also sees that ICT has redefined living globally. Presently, the university management is not left behind in the globalization. The management of the university uses ICT as a tool needed within the university organization to improve and achieve better performances in the following areas of managerial functions: Planning, staff development, decision making, communication, discipline and students’ welfare/ health services, etc. The emergence of multimedia automated information packaging as well as the internet has increasingly reduced old method of keeping information. Also, the emergence of revolutionizing computers and telecommunications, the conventional techniques are no longer adequate for the exchange of information. The convergences of computer and telecommunications have therefore drastically changed the method and spread of exchange of information. Thus, the information technology has taken over a substantial part of the roles played by the orthodox method of information dissemination.
Adeyemi (2011) stated that computers and computerization have ushered in a management revolution never equaled in human history when it comes to information processing, storage and retrieval. Thus, there is an urgent need to integrate the information and communication technology to assist universities’ governing councils at all levels of management.
Human existence has been privileged through scientific process of acquiring facts and knowledge. These are impetus to collections of information updated overtime to meet dynamics response to value added environment. Thus, the validity and reliability of which such valuable existence are scientifically proven through relative experience (Rodgrigvez and Wilson, 2000). Such empirical studies over a phenomenon have and in most cases element or rudimentary attachment to a more similar or different phenomena either past or present, and may likely have a future connotation. Early researchers serendipitously trampled over events that necessitated the need for value existence.
Infrastructure is central in achieving the goal of digital inclusion, enabling, sustainable and affordable access to ICT (Mohammed, 2006). The introduction of ICT into management of universities clearly changes the way education is conducted. Not only is it possible to work with distance learning and achieve a closer collaboration between different universities, ICT also paves the way for a new pedagogical approach, where students are expected to play more active role than before. Successful open and distance learning depends largely on well-established and properly maintained ICT infrastructure. The ICT in education has been a welcome development even in the classroom.
Advances in ICT facilitate advancement and improvement in education. Lecturers can convert their power-point slide presentations to portable documentation folder files (electronic documents), which students can download and print from a web site. Teachers may also use other web sites for illustration within their classroom lectures. Students may be asked to participate in online discussion forum, and to discuss the lecture afterwards among themselves.
On decision making and management principles, it is an established fact that universities have a lot of decisions to make on day to day activities of the school. Ability to make and take the right decision from various available options is seen evidence to a successive management of institution anywhere. Various studies on decision making have established the fact that when decision making is jointly made and taken, tendency for success is high compared to when it is singularly made. Events in the schools in the recent time portray exclusively in the way actions are taken on most important issues. Management staff and ICT instructors see policies as “their” policies which we must follow rather than “our” policies which we must all join hands to ensure success. This study believes that when decision making is inclusive, personal responsibility is enshrined. When the reverse is the case, people simply carry out other people’s orders so that when it fails, responsibility is shifted to the university management. With this background, understanding of decision making, this study considers it a vital objection to be examined for this study.
On the issue of maintenance of discipline, various studies have established this as a global challenge and therefore not peculiar to university alone. It is of importance to this study because indiscipline in Nigeria universities is assuming an alarming proportion. No serious academic achievement can be achieved under a lawless and undisciplined learning environment. Since tendency for indiscipline is peculiar to youths in general and university students in particular, stake holders in general and university management in particular need to fashion out viable management techniques to control indiscipline in our institutions. This is why this study considers this an important objective of investigation for the study.
School facilities provision and maintenance is another area of importance to the study. Its management in our universities over the years has put everyone in state of confusion if anything is ever done on school facilities. Studies have shown that most public universities are deficient in both provision and maintenance of school facilities. People read from the media of how government allocates billions of naira to the educational sector while little is seen on what the allocation is used for. It is therefore a cause of interest to this study to investigate the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the management of Universities in Nigeria.
The success of any educational institution cited in any community can only be guaranteed by its cordial relationship with the community where it is situated. Universities are basically established to educate people in a community. If the university does not enjoy the corporation of such community, it is not likely to meet its objectives. The role of the community in smooth management of university is very vital because the school is not just located in their midst. This puts on them the responsibilities of security, occasional assistance in facilities provision, augmentation and sourcing for man power when occasion demands and many other services.
Other variables like staff development, maintenance of records and planning in the universities not left out in this evolution. The study investigated how these universities manage the above mentioned factors or variables to see if they are in line with laid down rules and regulations of government and that of other authorities in the field of educational administration and planning. The study also investigated to see to what extent universities are in compliance to laid down principles, rule and regulations in their day-to-day management of their institutions.
In Nigeria, there has not been explicit policy on ICT. The National policy on education does not give any guidelines on school technology plan. National policy on education cannot adequately take care of the need of the Nigerian educational system. There is the need to revise the Nigeria National policy on education. Such revision should be taken to involve stakeholders in the area of education so that they can ensure that the policy covers issues about ICT and learning through ICT. Indeed explicit policy on ICT in education should provide guide to development of ICT infrastructure.
In Nigeria, the available infrastructures for ICT in most of these universities are grossly inadequate. It was observed that most university students still visit internet cafes off campus because of too much demand on the internet on campus. The bandwidths shared on most of these systems at cyber cafes are still low; hence much time is still wasted on internet browsing. Government policy has been the deregulation of telecommunication industry. ICT infrastructures are therefore mostly provided by private entrepreneurs for business purposes.
Education is the development of an individual to be useful to himself, his family and the society. Generally, development in this case does not only mean physical development that we can always see, but it also includes intellectual and emotional developments that only manifest in the individual. In an age of science and technology, an individual, as a result of his training would be equipped to serve his nation and use his acquired skill to develop and maintain the tools that are essential for the scientific and technological development.
Education can also be seen as an all-round development of a child. No meaningful development can be achieved without the education of an individual within the society. The world declared in 1948 that education should be made unto all. This slogan gathered momentum at the approach of the 21st century as every government sees education as the only means of eradication of illness, poverty and disease. It is also a way of producing citizens who are socially adjusted, morally dependable, mentally and physically alert, intellectually fit, economically in the area of ICT, nationally oriented and culturally adjusted. Education is the sure way for an egalitarian citizenship. Technology has certainly changed the way we live. It has impacted different facet of life and redefined living. Undoubtedly, technology plays an important role in every sphere of life. Several manual tasks can be automated, thanks to technology.
Technology, according to Norris et al. (2003) is the mother of civilizations of arts and of sciences. It has revolutionized the field of education. The importance of technology in schools cannot be ignored. Infact, with the onset of computer, impartation of knowledge has become easier. Technology has made the process of learning enjoyable. For example, addressing systems using microphones and speaker make it possible for teacher to reach a larger number of people (students). Computer technology has significantly changed our lives enormously both at home and work. It has changed our lives more than anyone would ever have imagined. In the last 50 years, the advances made in science have been far greater than all the combined discoveries in mankind’s history.
During the early 70’s, computers were large bulky machines afforded only by the mega rich corporations. However, that has changed and in the last two decades almost every home in urban area has at least one personal computer or phone. Today, many people live their lives on computers. Computers knowledge has opened up another dimension to many of our lives. One can chat, phone, see movies, watch photos, read, travel, work, play games and perform almost any activity on personal computers. The days of phoning and mailing letters have become obsolete. Computers can instantly send messages to anyone anywhere and get an instant reply. It would be difficult to find a type writer or fax machine today, the ICT (computer) evolution has led to a new industry of scanners, digital cameras and printers. The social impact of ICT has led to a redefinition of our lives and vastly improved our knowledge as people can now go to the moon every night and travel across the different galaxies from the privacy of our homes.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The researcher observed that inspite of the much importance attached to the usefulness of ICT, most universities in Nigeria are not making use of this helpful tool maximally. Much is still needed to be done to improve ICT, especially in the area of communication; maintenance of records, decision making, planning, discipline; interpersonal relationship; staff development; student welfare/health services and provision of games/recreation services.
It has also been observed by the researcher that ICT infrastructure in most of these universities are grossly inadequate, most universities management staff, Heads of Departments and lecturers still carry office works to private business centres. Also, it is worthy to note that ICT is faced with myriads of constraints, which have restricted its efficient and effective use.
The importance and usefulness of ICT cannot be overemphasized. The National Policy on Education (2014) recognizes the prominent role of Information Communication Technology ICT in the modern world today hence the integration of ICT in Education in Nigeria. Information has a vital role to play in human life and others area such as staff development, discipline, planning, decision making process, maintenance of records, communication and students welfare/health services in the universities in Nigeria. The 20th century ushered in increase in information as a result of social progress and vigorous technological development, information technology is therefore an important area of study on its own right and has impact across all areas of study in the universities in Nigeria. Increase access to ICT facilities in the home, at work and educational institutions has promoted E-learning in schools. The rapid development of technology has brought constant insistent evaluation of learning process as a result of the easy worldwide communication which provides access to huge collection of data.
Another problem is poor maintenance of the available ICT infrastructure. Therefore, the study was set to investigate impact of ICT in the management of universities in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study was set to achieve the following objectives, to:
- assess the impact of ICT on communication in universities in Nigeria;
- find out the impact of ICT on decision making process in universities in Nigeria;
- ascertain the impact of ICT on planning in universities in Nigeria;
- examine the impact of ICT on staff development in universities in Nigeria;
- assess impact of ICT on maintenance of discipline in universities in Nigeria;
- assess the impact of ICT on provision of students’ welfare/health services in universities in Nigeria;
- ascertain impact of ICT in the maintenance of records in universities in Nigeria;
- examine impact of ICT on interpersonal relationship in universities in Nigeria; and
- ascertain impact of ICT on provision of games/recreational services in universities in Nigeria.
Research Questions
The following research questions are presented to guide the study:
- What is the impact of ICT on communication in universities in Nigeria?
- In what ways do ICT impact on decision making process in universities in Nigeria?
- How does ICT impact planning in universities in Nigeria?
- What is the impact of ICT on staff development in universities in Nigeria?
- What is the impact of ICT on maintenance of discipline in universities in Nigeria?
- How does ICT impact provision of students’ welfare/health services in universities in Nigeria?
- In what ways do ICT impact maintenance of records in universities in Nigeria?
- In what ways do ICT impact interpersonal relationship in universities in Nigeria?
- What is the impact of ICT on provision of games/recreational services in Nigeria?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses were postulated:
HO1 There is no significant difference in opinions of the respondents on the impact of ICT on communication in universities in Nigeria;
HO2 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on impact of ICT on decision-making process in universities in Nigeria;
HO3 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on impact of ICT on planning in universities in Nigeria;
HO4 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on impact of ICT on staff development in universities in Nigeria;
HO5 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on maintenance of discipline in universities in Nigeria;
HO6 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on impact of provision of students’ welfare/health services in universities in Nigeria;
HO7 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on impact of maintenance of records in universities in Nigeria;
HO8 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on impact of ICT on interpersonal relationship in universities in Nigeria; and
HO9 There is no significant difference in the opinions of the respondents on provision of games/recreational services in universities in Nigeria.
1.6 Basic Assumptions
The study was based on the assumptions that:
- ICT helps smoothing the relationship between the university management staff and the general community;
- ICT usage in the institution will lead to more rational decision making process;
- planning in the university will be more effective with the usage of ICT in universities in Nigeria;
- staff development would be more effective with the usage of ICT in universities in Nigeria;
- ICT improves maintenance of discipline in universities in Nigeria;
- student welfare services will be more effective with the usage of ICT in universities in Nigeria;
- ICT will improve maintenance of records in universities in Nigeria;
- ICT will improve interpersonal relationship in universities in Nigeria; and
- games/recreational services will be more effective with the usage of ICT in universities in Nigeria.
Significance of the Study
Presently, the government and other stakeholders in the education sector have shown great interest in information and communication technology in Nigeria. A study of this nature, then would hopefully boost greatly the interest of the government and other stakeholders in the education sector towards information and communication technology. The study will help to fill the gap in the existing dearth of knowledge and also contribute to knowledge in the field of education management. The findings of this study would help universities staff and students; and governments and non-governmental agencies to develop interest and help to create more awareness on the importance of ICT in the area of educational development.
This study is significant at this time that the Nigerian educational system is going through reforms as it is expected to provide useful information towards embracing ICT as a management option from raising the quality of university education in Nigeria as a whole. The researcher believe that the findings of this research work is of the great importance to Nigeria universities on the need to expose all academic staff, especially those holding administrative positions, to attend periodic workshops, seminars and conferences in the area of ICT on the management of universities in Nigeria to enhance qualitative educational services to members of the universities.
This research work is also expected to sensitize policy makers in Nigeria about the merits and demerits of ICT as management option, thereby working to overcome their disadvantages. Thus, it is expected to guide educational planners on the provision of educational ICT facilities that would improve the quality of universities administration. Finally, the result of this study would contribute to development in the field of educational management since the information contained there may serve as a vital source for further research work.
1.8 Scope of the Study
The study focused on impact of ICT on the management of universities in Nigeria. While there were many principles of management that could be used as tools/indicators to measure and improve the level of impact of ICT, the following variables were considered: communication, planning, decision-making, staff development, maintenance of discipline and provision of students’ welfare/health services, maintenance of records, interpersonal relationship and games/recreational services.
The scope of the geographical coverage of this study were all universities in Nigeria, Federal, State and Private universities selected randomly from the six geopolitical zones. A fundamental limitation of the study was the severe problem confronting the universities’ staff background with ICT variables as data gathered from their perception could be a limiting factor. For instance, the information through survey data might only give peripheral and incomplete evidence of impact of ICT as the sample population was 18 universities.
The dearth of literature in the area of empirical research particularly as related to impact of ICT in the Nigerian setting was a limiting factor. As a result of the foregoing limitation, the interpretation of the findings and any generalizations should be cautiously guided and executed.
INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) ON THE SUPERVISION OF UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA
