Computer Numerical Control Woodworking Machines Operational Task Contents Objectives Development for Inclusion into Technical College Curriculum in Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to develop the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) woodworking machines operational tasks contents for inclusion into the technical college curriculum in Nigeria. Two research questions were answered and two null hypotheses were formulated and tested at .05 level of significance. A Mixed-method (using sequential exploratory) research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted in northwestern Nigeria. The population for the study was 161 subjects consisting of 70 Woodwork Teachers (WWTs), 35 Woodwork Industrial Managers (WIMs), and 56 Woodwork Lecturers (WWLs). The study used the whole population of the study. The instruments used for data collection include Computer Numerical Control Woodworking Machines Operational Tasks Objectives Interview Protocol (CNCWMOTOIP), Computer Numerical Control Woodworking Machines Operational Tasks Questionnaire (CNCWMOTQ), Computer Numerical Control Woodworking Machines Operational Tasks Skills Performance Test (CNCWMOTSPT) and Computer Numerical Control Woodworking Machines Operational Tasks Validity Index (CNCWMOTVI). The instruments were validated by three woodwork experts. The reliability of CNCWMOTQ was established using Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability formula and yielded an overall reliability coefficient of 0.83 and the reliability of CNCWMOTSPT was established using Kendall’s Tau Coefficient values of 0.87 and 0.86. Data were collected by administering copies of the instruments through hand delivery. The data collected were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Findings of the study revealed that: 19 items were found to be objectives, and 16 items were found to be the contents of CNC woodworking machines operational tasks. The study revealed that, CNC woodworking machines operational tasks contents is valid and reliable for inclusion into the woodwork curriculum in technical colleges. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that: Industrial Training Fund (ITF) should supply appropriate resources required for instruction of CNC woodworking machines operational tasks for training woodwork craftsmen in their training centres, and woodwork industries managers should be regularly organising series of workshops, seminars, and conferences for training woodwork craftsmen on instructional strategies on how to operate CNC woodworking machines in different tasks for training woodwork craftsmen in order to equip them with the knowledge and skills in CNC woodworking machines operational tasks contents.