Computer Appreciation and Microsoft Access Competencies Needed by Polytechnic Office Technology and Management Teachers for Computer-Aided Instruction

Abstract

It has been suggested that the failure of polytechnic educators to fully embrace computer aided instruction can be blamed on the limitation of teachers in the use appropriate ICT hardware and software. The study identified information and communication competencies needed by polytechnic Office Technology and Management teachers for computer aided instruction in two states of south-western Nigeria. Two specific objectives, two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the conduct of the study. The objectives were to identify computer appreciation and Microsoft access competencies needed by polytechnic office technology and management teachers for computer aided instruction. The population comprised 62 Office Technology and Management teachers in public polytechnics in Ogun and Osun states.  No sample was drawn; the entire population was studied.  The instrument for data collection was Computer Aided Instruction Competencies Questionnaire (CAICQ) consisting of 23 three items developed by the researcher based on the study purposes and related literature.  The instruments were validated by three experts.  The reliability test conducted yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.84 using the test-retest method and pearson product moment correlation.  The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions, while the null hypotheses were tested at 0,05 level of significance using independent samples t-test. The study found that twelve computer appreciation and thirteen Microsoft Access competencies were germane, to the introduction of computer aided instruction in polytechnic Office Technology and Management courses.  The study concluded that computer aided instruction could not take off unless OTM teachers acquire computer appreciation and Microsoft Access competencies, among others.  The study recommended improvement in staff training and acquisition of necessary facilities and equipment needed for computer aided instruction.