UTILIZATION OF ICT IN EDUCATION OF STUDENT WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN TWO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

1.1 Introduction

Effective teaching is considered as a mystery by some authors (Goldhaber, 2002). Effective teachers have knowledge, prepare and manage instruction, promote learning and help students grow so they can learn independently. The major concern of the study is to explore the importance of information, communication and technology (ICT) in effective teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia area in Warri-South Local Government, which has about 100 ICT teachers.

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.

1.2 Background of Study

Today, everybody goes about with this Technology as virtually every sectors- Banking, Education, Military, Health etc have keyed into the use of ICT for effective functioning (Esan, 1998). In other words, ICT has become a veritable instrument for Education, Economic and Technological development in this dispensation (Eya, 2000). Through teaching and learning ICT has equipped one to participate in rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed (Robinson, 1994).

The development of manpower in Nigeria will be incomplete if it fails to address the use of information and communication technology (ICT) with emphasis on computer Technology. The world is fast becoming a global village as a result of developments in information and communication Technology. The key instrument in these globalization through the concept of ICT is the computer (Kalu and Ekueme, 2003).

A school of thought defines computer as a set of devices designed to work together to accomplish input, processing and output functions in order to accomplish tasks desired by a user (Robtyer, 2003).

The use of ICT in teaching and learning involves improve access to internet services and provision of step sequences in learning process (Edafiogho, 2007). One of the relevance of the study is that it will help to develop the mends of the teachers and students towards the effective teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia.

Realizing that there was no recent research work and perhaps any recent document to show the use of ICT in secondary schools particularly in the teaching and learning at tertiary Institution level in the schools in Warri-South local Government area, the researcher therefore intends to carry out a survey research on the relevance of information and communication Technology (ICT) for effective teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia.

Therefore, in Warri-South Local Government where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Utilization of Information Communication Technology in Education of Student with Visual Impairment using Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia in Nigeria as a case study.

1.3 Statement of the Problems

Considering the role and objectives of information communication Technology (ICT) in manpower building, in teaching and learning in the classrooms, most especially, some secondary schools in the area under study are still unaware of the full use of ICT. This may be due to a large number of factors, such as poor awareness campaign on the significant of ICT, unstable power supply in most areas, low level of investment on ICT educational programme, attitude of the users, huge efforts and time spent on ICT facilities, high level of poverty and absence of computer literate personnel, among other factors.

Understanding the facts that schools, especially secondary schools serve as agent between the outside world and the immediate home whether local or urban. Therefore, it remains the best avenue through which the Technology of ICT could be transferred to the students as a means of effective teaching and learning especially in integrated science.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is investigate the Utilization of Information Communication Technology in Education of Student with Visual Impairment in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the ICT facilities adopted in the teaching and learning at tertiary Institution level.
2. To find out if ICT provides access to teaching aids for teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia level.
3. To find out if ICT provides proper management of large number of students in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia.
4. To investigate if ICT promotes independent studies among students in teaching learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia.
5. To find out if ICT increases students performances in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia.

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:

• Does ICT provide access to teaching aid for effective teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia?
• Does ICT promote independent studies among students in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia?
• Does ICT provide proper management of large number of students in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia?
• Does ICT increases student’s performances in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia?

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.

• H₀1: ICT does not increases student’s performances in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia
• H₀2: ICT does not provide access to teaching aid for effective teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia
• H₀3: ICT does not promote independent studies among students in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia
• H₀4: ICT does not provide proper management of large number of students in teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia

1.7 Significance of Study

It is generally conceived that the concept of information and communication technology (ICT) is relatively new and perhaphs most secondary schools have not completely adopted its use in teaching and learning processes. Also, it could be said that ICT facilities are not made available in these secondary schools or where they are made available, it is underutilized. Edafiogho (2007) outlined a good numbers of significance of ICT to education most especially in the areas of; electronic bullefine boards, database, teleconferencing etc.

Below are the significance of the study “Utilization of Information Communication Technology in Education of Student with Visual Impairment in Two Tertiary Institutions Nasarawa State University Lafia Nigeria” to the teachers and students.

Teachers:

• ICT motivate teachers: The exposure of teachers to ICT can help to promote and enable professional development particularly in teaching of integrated science.
• ICT helps teacher to create more learner centric learning environment – ICT’s are seen as important tool to enable and support the move from traditional teaching style to more modern method of teaching
• Lesson plan is done easily when using ICT’s – Teachers are at the advantage of achieving the best in lesson plan if they adopt the use of ICT’s.
• The use of ICT’s enables the teacher to make whole clan teaching and learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia more dynamic.
• The use of ICT’s by the teachers enable them to develop interactive materials which authoring software, which can be used to enable students to focus on the learning in Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia.

Students:

• Develop learning states – Students can work with ICT’s to develop their understanding, analytical and organizational skills in integrated science and other science subjects.
• Learn in more varied ways - Students can work effectively at their own Pace and level, using differentiated materials, and other ICT’s resources.
• Students can work flexibly away from classroom, and receive feedback immediately on a particular topic on integrated science. Via the use of ICT’s.
• Students can communicate with their peer students using e-mail, video conferencing, blogs, wikis, social networking sites and text messages to develop their target topic on integrated science with their peers in other part of the world.

1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the examination of the Utilization of Information Communication Technology in Education of Student with Visual Impairment using Nasarawa State University and Federal University Lafia in Nigeria as a case study.

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. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. 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).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Computer: This is an electronic machine that can store, organize and find information, and workout arithmetic. Also, it controls other machine with high speed and accuracy.

Machine: It is a device that makes work done easier and faster.

IT: This is a short form of information technology that deals with the use of computer and telecommunication to retrieve, store and transmit information.

Internet: This is a specific collaboration of independently management network to communication with each other across organization and geographical boundaries.

Projector: It is an apparatus for projecting photographs or films unto a screen.