Perceived Challenges of Agricultural Education Lecturers in the Effective Adoption of E-Learning Technologies in Universities

Isiwu Edward Chukwuka, Michael Onwumere, Ngele Cletus Ezeoke

Abstract


This study delved into the perceived challenges encountered by Agricultural education lecturers in the successful integration of e-learning technologies within universities located in Abia State, Nigeria. It addressed two research questions and tested two null hypotheses at a significance level of .05. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the target population comprised 47 Agricultural education lecturers drawn from two public universities in Abia State, namely, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) and Abia State University (ABSU). Given the manageable population size, no sampling was undertaken, and the entire population was surveyed. Data collection was facilitated through a researcher-designed questionnaire entitled "Challenges in Adopting E-learning Technologies Questionnaire (CAETQ)." To ensure the instrument's validity, it underwent scrutiny by three experts from the College of Education at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, including two experts from the agricultural education department and one from the evaluation department. The instrument's reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, yielding a coefficient index of 0.79. For data analysis, mean, standard deviation, and t-test statistics were employed. The study's findings unveiled seven challenges attributed to lecturers and thirteen challenges linked to governmental factors concerning the adoption of E-learning technologies in universities within Abia State, Nigeria. Among the study's recommendations, it urged the government and relevant institutions to ensure the provision of adequate e-learning facilities within schools. This step is seen as fundamental to enhancing the teaching and learning processes, ultimately equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for national development.


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