Social Competencies in Utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Facilities in Instructional Delivery of Economics Courses in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics in Benue State, Niger

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to find out Economics lecturer's social competencies in utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) facilities in the instructional delivery in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics in Benue Nigeria. The study was guided by two (2) specific purposes, two (2) research questions and one null hypothesis The researcher adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study was carried out in Benue State, Nigeria. The population comprised one hundred and seventeen (117) Economics Lecturers from three (3) Colleges of Education and two (2) Polytechnics in Benue States. Census of the population was used and the One Hundred and seventeen (117) lecturers were retained. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained using Cronbach Alpha and an overall reliability coefficient of .98 was ascertained. Mean, and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while One-Way ANOVA was used to test null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of this study revealed that Economic lecturers possessed moderate Social competencies in the utilization of ICT facilities in instructional delivery in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics in Benue State. The finding also revealed that there is no significant difference in the Social Competencies possessed by Economics lecturers with different qualification in the utilization of ICT Facilities in instructional delivery of Economics in Colleges of Education and Polytechnics in Benue State.  Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made; The Ministry of Education, National Commission for Colleges of Education, and other philanthropic organizations should provide the required ICT facilities in colleges of education in Benue State, Nigeria,  Economics lecturers in Colleges of Education should explore various opportunities provided by the government non-governmental organizations such as TETFund sponsorship for further studies, workshop, seminar and workshop on ICT competency.