CHALLENGES FACING INFORMATION ANDCOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AS IT AFFECTS COMMUNICATION IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, ABEOKUTA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

          Information means any potentially useful fact, quantity or value that can be expressed uniquely with exactness. Information is whatever is capable of causing a human mind to change its opinion about the current state of the real world.

          James S., Aina L. O. and Ajakaye T. (2004), defined communication as a process involving the passing of messages through the use of symbols which all parties in the communication encounter understand. It involves the exchange of ideas, facts, opinions, attitudes and beliefs between people. It is not a one – way affairs. There must be a sender to transmit the message and receiver to make appropriate decisions on how the rest of the exchange should continue.

          Communication includes writing and talking as well as non-verbal communication such as facial expression, body language, or gestures, usual communication. (The use of image or pictures such as painting, photography, video and firm) and electronics communication telephone calls, electronic mails, cable television or satellite broadcast it’s also known as a vital part of personal life and it also important in business education and any other situation where people encounter each other business are concerned with communication in several special ways. Some business build and install communication equipment, such as fax (facsimile) machines, video cameras, CD players printing presses, personal computers, and telephones. Other companies create some of the messages or content that those technologies carry, such as movies, books and software’s.

          Technology is known as a process by which human beings fashion tools and machines to increase their control and understanding of the materials environment. The term is derived from the Greek word techne, which refers to an art of drat and logia, meaning an area of study, thus, technology means literally the study or science of crafting.

          Technology refers to the use of scientific knowledge to invent tools that assist human beings in their efforts to overcome environmental hazards and impediments to comfort. In this regard, technology refers to the things like the computer, telephone, cell phone, Global system/standard for Mobil communication (GSM handsets), television, radio, e.t.c.

          Technology explain about the doing and not what is done, many historians of science argue not only that technology is an essential condition of advanced, industrial civilization but also that the rate of technological change had developed its own momentum in recent centuries. Innovations now seem to appear at a rate that increases geometrically, without respect to geographical limits or political systems. These innovations tend to transform traditional systems frequently with unexpected social consequences. Thus, technology can be conceived as both a creative and a destructive process.

          According to Nworgu (2007), Information Technology (IT) means a set of tool that helps you work with information and perform tasks related to information processing. Furthermore, Information Technology (IT), is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange and use information in its various form (business data, voice conversation, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other form, including those not yet conceived).

          Information Technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of the computer based application system, particularly software application and computer hardware (IT) deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software’s to convert sore, protect, process, transmits, and securely retrieve information.

          Today, the term information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, which has become very recognizable. The Information Technology umbrella can be quite large, converting many fields.

          Information and Communication Technology is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing, radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite system and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as video conferencing and distance learning.

          The term is sometime used in preference to Information Technology (IT). Introduction of Communication Technologies (ICT) consist of hardware, software, network and media for collection storage processing, transmission and presentation of information. (Voice data, text and image). Information and Communication Technology embodies a whole of its component that are complimentary, the information and telecommunication technologies is now referred to as “ICT” or Information and Communication Technology. It is an integral part of components for collecting, storing, processing and communicating information. The main components of information systems are computer hardware, data base telecommunication system human resources and procedures.

          Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within the field of socio – economic development. It could be applied either in the direct sense, the indirect sense, where the (ICT) consist of organization of non – governmental organization or government in order to improve socio – economic conditions. In many impoverished regions of the world, legislative and political measures are required facilitate or enable application of (ICT) especially with respect to monopolistic communication structure and censorship laws. Access to Information and Communication Technologies is becoming increasingly critical for African community participation in economic and political life at national, international and global levels. Advances in electronic communication networks have created enormous opportunities for developing countries.

          A sizable number of African countries have already made progress in their interest links that have put them on the global connectivity road map.

          In recent years these has been a groundswell of interest in how computers and the interest can best be harnessed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education at all levels and in both formal and non – formal settings. But ICTs are more than just these technologies older technologies such as the telephone, radio and television, although now given less attention, have a longer and richer history as instructional tool, for instance, radio and television have forty years been used for open and distance learning, althoughprint remains the cheapest, most accessible and therefore most dominant delivery mechanism in both developed and developing countries. However the use of ICT as a communication tool is fraught with many challenges. Therefore this study focuses on the challenges facing information and communication technology as it affects communication in Federal College of Education Abeokuta.

1.2    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

          Inspite of the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in effective learning and research activities in tertiary institutions, the adoption of (ICT) by most tertiary institution in the teaching learning process has been find to be hundred by some constraint especially those related to curriculum and pedagogy, infrastructure, capacity building, language and content as well as financing. Even in some institution where ICT is adopted by providing some ICT gadgets, the in ability of lecturers and student to effectively operate and utilize them has been noticed. It is as a result of these that this study examines these problems with particular reference to students in Federal College of Education Abeokuta.

1.3    PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

          The need for Information and Communication Technology in acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in tertiary institutions cannot be underestimated.

Therefore, this study sought to:-

ü  Examine the available ICT gadgets in Federal College of Education Abeokuta.

ü  Determine the extent to which ICT solves students’ research problems.

ü  Identify various ways by which ICT would enhance teaching and learning effectiveness in the institution.

ü  Determine the general ICT needs of students of the institutions.

1.4    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This study attempts to provide answers to the following questions:

ü  What are the ICT gadgets needed by the institutions?

ü  To what extent does ICT solve students’ research problems?

ü  In what ways does ICT enhance effective teaching and learning?

ü  What are the general ICT usage of students in the institution?

1.5    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

          This study was conducted among students in Federal College of Education, Abeokuta with emphasis on investigating the factors militating against the effectiveness of ICT in the teaching and learning process.

1.6    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

          There is no doubt that information and communication technology (ICT) has now made the world a global village, therefore, the findings of the study will be beneficial to so many people.

LECTURERS:- The findings will increase lecturers’ productivity in teaching and research as well as reduce stress and make them cope with large student population.