ACCESSIBILITY TO DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR TEACHING AMONG LECTURERS IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNICS IN NORTHCENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper examined the accessibility digital technologies for teaching among lecturers in federal polytechnics in North-Central, Nigeria. The study was guided by two objectives and two corresponding research questions and one null hypothesis. The total population for the study was 1,540. This comprised 2,455 lecturers drawn from the federal polytechnics in North-central, Nigeria. Krejcie and Morgan table was used to determine the sample size of the study which was 333. Questionnaire and checklist were the research instruments used for data collection. Out of 333 copies of questionnaire administered, 261 copies were filled, returned and used for the analysis representing 78% response rate. Descriptive statistical tools, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed among others that accessibility to digital technologies for teaching among lecturers is low. The respondents revealed that they have access to digital technologies for teaching in the library, institutional repositories, social media sources and mobile applications. The study concluded that the roles 'of digital technologies in teaching cannot be underestimated because digital technologies is helping to solve many problems in the educational institutions especially the polytechnic system. The study recommended among others that the management of federal polytechnics in North-central, Nigeria should develop programmes through conferences, workshops and seminar organised for lecturers to enhance their teaching activities as well as learning process of students especially with the usage of digital technologies.