THE USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING OF BUSINESS STUDY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      Background of the study

There has been increasing interest in introducing innovations such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the teaching and learning of business studies especially when the Nigeria Education and Research Development Council (NERDC) introduced a modern curriculum into the school system. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) involves the use of computers and other electronic devices to process information. ICT stands for information & communication technologies. ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through communications. It is similar to information technology (IT). “But primarily focuses on communication technologies. This includes the internet, wireless network, cell phones & other communications medium”. In the past few decades information & communication technologies have provided to society with vast array of a new communication capabilities. “People can communicate in real time with others in different countries using technologies such as instant messaging, voice over IP and video conferencing, social networking websites like face book allow users from all over the world to remain in contact and communicate on a regular basis”. Modern information communication technologies have created a global village in which people communicate with others across the world as if they were living next door. “For this reason ICT is often studied in the context of how modern communication technologies affected society” (tech factor, January 04, 2010). ICT stands for information & communications technology is an umbrella term that includes any communication device, encompassing radio, television, cell phones, computer and network hardware, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services & applicate with them such as video conferencing and distance learning. “ICT are often spoken of a particular context such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries” (Margaret Rouse, September, 2005). “ICT (information and communications technology or technologies) is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning”. ICT (information and communications technology - or technologies) is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. “ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries” (Abe & Adu, 2007).  Nworgu (2008) stated that ICT refers to a whole range of facilities or technologies involved in information processing and electronic communication to be handled with skills and expertise, for effective achievement and realization of its potentials in Education. In the view of Valasidou (2008), ICT is an innovative instrumental tool that enables the educators to modify the teaching and learning processes in order to increase students’ interest. Brown (2009) explained that ICT is considered very crucial for the achievement of various educational objectives in terms of expanding the citizenry access to education at all levels and improving the quality of teaching and learning process. In the explanation of Daniels (2002), the use of Information and Communication Technologies in the educative process has been divided into two broad categories: ICTs for education and ICTs in education. ICTs for education refers to the development of ICT specifically for teaching learning purposes, while the ICTs in education involves the adoption of general components of ICTs in the teaching learning process. Effiong (2005) emphasized that ICT use in school curriculum depends highly on the teachers who will use ICT to teach the students. This requires that teachers should have the ability to incorporate ICT into teaching and learning. Okereke (2008) noted that, application of ICT to teaching and learning makes instructions more effective and productive. In this regard ICT is viewed as innovations that enable business studies teachers facilitate teaching and learning of business studies. Business studies is an academic subject that helps students to be exposed to realities of business practices. The subject is designed to introduce students to the foundational knowledge of the principles and practices of business. Okute (2008) opined that business studies is the fundamental subject which has to do with acquisition, conservation and expedition of wealth. Osuala (2004) stated that business studies help the students to make informed decisions in the everyday business of living. Obi (2005), explained that business studies prepares students for business career or enables those in that career become more efficient and advance to higher business positions. Computer appreciation entails the general understanding of the basic building blocks of the computer systems, literacy in operating the computer and using the window interface called window explore and other similar interfaces. Azuka (2000) explained that keyboarding should be emphasized along with the traditional typing; the author identified closer relationship between them likewise word processing, data processing and the use of the internet. Word processing is the application of computer for manipulating text-based documents; the electronic equivalent of paper, pen, typewriter, eraser, and most likely, dictionary and thesaurus (Encarta, 2009). According to Agomuo (2005), word processing can be likened to a typewriter inside a computer in that it incorporates all the duties of a typewriter which basically are: the ability to type and produce text on paper, store and manipulate text in documents and get printed copies. But when using computers, it deviates a little from the common typewriter. There is the enter key replacing the carrier movement and there are commands (simple ones) for paragraph, indent, spacing and so on. In addition, one can: store the document for future reference or use; make corrections to the documents very conveniently; format your documents to a wide variety of specification; automate some functions such as page numbering, generation of indexes; check the spelling of text in your document for correctness; and have greater control 5 over page layout attribute such as margin and so on. Other area where computer is most useful in daily activities is in the use of the internet and data processing.

1.2      STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The internet is a computer-based global information system (Comer, 2009). It is composed of many interconnected computer networks. Each network may link tens, hundreds, or even thousands of computers, enabling them to share information. The Internet has made it possible for people all over the world to communicate with one another effectively, inexpensively and to have free access to useful data for further processing. Data processing deals with the analysis and organization of data by the repeated use of one or more computer programs (Kogge, 2009). Data processing is used extensively in business, and in all areas in which computers are used such as education, to process data educationally by the teachers and other education administrators. The researcher observed that business studies teachers in the state have some difficulties in teaching the ICT component of the curriculum; therefore, they need improvement.

1.3      OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is to ascertain the use of ICT in teaching of business study in junior secondary schools; but for the successful completion of the study, the researcher intend to achieve the following sub-objectives:

i)             To the effect of information communication technology in teaching of business study

ii)           To investigate the impact of ICT on the academic performance of business studies student

iii)          To examine if there is any relationship between the traditional approach of teaching business studies and the use of ICT

iv)         To ascertain the role of ICT in enhancing student academic performance in business studies.

1.4      RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

To aid the completion of the study, the researcher formulate the following hypotheses;

H0: information communication technology does not have any significant effect on the teaching of business study in junior secondary schools.

H1: information communication technology does have a significant effect on the teaching of business studies in junior secondary schools.

H0: ICT does not play any role in enhancing student academic performance in business study

H2: ICT does play a significant role in enhancing student academic performance in business study in junior secondary school.

1.5      SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Learning new skills such as ICT and transferring skills already learnt by the teachers is the key to quality education in a rapidly changing technological environment. The findings of this study will be beneficial to business studies teachers, junior secondary school students, school administrators, government, and curriculum planners at teachers’ preparation stage and fellow researchers with keen interest in ICT skills needed by business studies teachers for effective and quality instructional delivery. Business studies teachers will find the study useful. The findings of the study will enable the teachers understand ICT skills they needed and their importance. They will have firsthand information on ICT skills they are required to acquire in order to face the challenges of knowledge update through seminars, workshops and conferences. Business studies teachers will know the vacuums of ICT skills they need to fill up in their academic lives and timely too, to remain relevant in their profession. Also, this will help to further equip them for better service delivery in teaching and coordinating the conduct of the students during teaching and learning process. Junior secondary school students will also benefit from the result of this study. The study will help them to be better informed on the relevant ICT skills they need to acquire. They will also know the level of skills they currently possess and seek to fill any gap/vacuum created.

1.6      SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the use of information and communication technology in teaching of business study in junior secondary schools in Nigeria. But in the cause of the study the researcher encounters some constrain that limited the scope of the study;

a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study     

b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

ICT

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an extended term for information technology (IT) which stresses the role of unified communications. The term ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system.

Teaching

Definition of teaching for English Language Learners the job or profession of a teacher something that is taught the ideas and beliefs that are taught by a person, religion, etc

Business study

Business Studies is a broad subject in the Social Sciences, allowing the in-depth study of a range of specialties such as accountancy, finance, organization and marketing

LEARNING: Learning is the act of acquiring new or modifying and reinforcing existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences which may lead to a potential.

BUSINESS EDUCATION: Business education involves teaching students the fundamentals, theories, and processes of business. Education in this field occurs at several levels, including secondary education and higher education or university education.

JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL: Education in Nigeria is overseen by the Ministry of Education. Local authorities take ... Students spend six years in Secondary School that is 3 years of JSS (Junior Secondary School), and 3 years of SSS (Senior Secondary School).

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.