Assessment of Availability and Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Equipment on Academic Performance of Students in Agricultural Science in Secondary Schools in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the availability and utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment on academic performance of students in agricultural science in secondary schools in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Two objectives, two research questions, and two null hypotheses were stated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Related literature was reviewed with theoretical and conceptual framework based on the major variables of the study. Ex-post-factor research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 920 agricultural science students in secondary schools in Bauchi State. A sample size of four hundred and sixty (460) students representing 50% of the total population was used. The instruments used for data collection were checklist and structured questionnaire named “Availability and Utilization of Information and Communication Technology Equipment Questionnaire (AU ICTEQ). Mean and standard deviations were used to answer the stated research questions. Simple Regression Analysis was used to test the two null hypotheses. The summary of the findings showed that the availability and utilization of ICT equipment had effect on academic performance of students in agricultural science in secondary schools in Bauchi state. It is hence concluded that, provision of ICT equipment in schools can be one way by which teachers' efficiency, school learning situation and students' learning outcome can be improved. One of the recommendations were given, among which was that, in order to make teaching and learning of agricultural science better and to improve students' academic performance, Bauchi State governments should provide available ICT equipment in all secondary schools in the State for optimal utilization by teachers and students