THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEM IN CAMPUS

1.1 Introduction

Communication is defined as the process of sending and receiving messages. They further explained that communication is only effective when the message is understood, and when it stimulates action or encourages the receiver to think in so many ways (Bovee and Thill, 2005). Communication plays a critical role in creating and maintaining harmony among staff and improving the efficiency of organizational practices in universities (Beytekin & Arslan, 2013; Ngo, de Boer, & Enders, 2014; Shattock, 2003). The Purpose of a communication system is to carry information from one point to another. Many system of communication have been operated in the offices which have nothing to do with productivity level just because the right system is not used at the right time to the right person (Chudi, 2013).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

The use of effective Communication System for dissemination of education is considered to have great potential for the government that is seeking to satisfy a growing demand for education while facing a deficiency of teachers (Rich, 2008). Today, the development of the communication system into a worldwide, high-speed, multimedia communication platform (internet) has enabled the development of e-Learning as an effective teaching and learning mechanism. E-Learning started to have an important role in creating and promoting learning communities due to the new and effective communication tools that provides more accessibility and efficiency in the learning process, for both teachers and learners.

E-learning has been a useful tool for an effective communication system in teaching and learning (Jung, 2002). E-Learning is the employment of technology to aid and enhance learning. It can be as simple as secondary school students watching a video documentary in class or as complex as an entire university course provided online. e-Learning began decades ago with the introduction of televisions and over-head projectors in classrooms and has advanced to include interactive computer programmes, 3D simulations, video and telephone conferencing and real-time online discussion groups comprised of students from all over the world (Olaniyi, 2006).

Campus has to face more complex challenges as external and internal environment keeps changing. Multi-factors challenge faculty motivation, commitment, loyalty, which finally all threaten organizational performance. Moreover, if leadership is a key basis for organizational performance, one can safely say communication is the key to effective leadership (Atwater and Waldman 2008). Campus communication consists of three primary components: core, managerial, and corporate communication.

In addition, they need to be able to create and deliver oral presentations confidently and persuasively, using graphics that contribute to delivering their messages. Managerial communication abilities constitute the core skills of the communication process in organizations. They are the abilities that more directly involve managing others, from one-on-one contact to interacting with groups and the organization. They are the abilities needed to interact with individuals and to manage groups in the organizations. Managerial communication component begins with emotional intelligence or interpersonal skills and an understanding of differences needed to interact effectively with others as individuals or groups. And the last component as corporate communication derives from the managerial skills to those skills needed to lead an organization and address a broader community. Communication becomes even more complex when managers move into the position of needing to think about how best to communicate to all internal and external stakeholders (Barrett 2006).

Therefore, in Federal Polytechnic Nekede where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Role of Communication System in Campus.

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1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that higher education is primarily an information processing system, and communication difficulties are more than nuisances to such a system; they are life-threatening for the organization itself. Campus communication issues between Deans and Faculty were not only particular to the institution of higher education being studied, but were specifically debatable for the reason that continuing alterations related to changes in personnel and policy in top administration of the universities.

Faculty deans have to succeed in numerous communication activities with the head of departments, the faculty members, and in the meetings with the Dean’s Council within their management duties. Both informal and formal meeting sessions with faculty members show organizational communication processes in faculty management to be an issue within universities. Besides, faculty deans need to provide information to faculty in many areas, and communication is a key to meeting faculty demands.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Role of Communication System in Campus. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the impact of e-learning on effective teaching and learning at campus.
2. To examine the need for the use of effective communication system in campus.
3. To examine the factors limiting the students access to e-learning tools in campus.
4. To determine the level of use of e-learning and other effective communication tools in campus.

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1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there factors limiting the students access to e-learning tools in campus?
• Is there a need for the use of effective communication system in teaching and learning in campus?
• What is the impact of e-learning on effective teaching and learning at campus?
• What is the level of use of e-learning and other effective communication tools in campus?

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1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant level of utilization of e-learning and effective communication tools in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri
• H1: There is significant level of utilization of e-learning and effective communication tools in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri

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1.7 Significance of Study

The results from this study will be useful to the government of Nigeria and policy makers in education on the need for an effective communication system for teaching and learning in secondary schools in the country especially the rural areas. It will also educate the need for massive investments in provision of e-learning tools like computers, TV, internet access, etc for secondary school students to aid effective teaching and learning.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Role of Communication System in Campus using Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri as a case study.

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1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).