AWARENESS AND READINESS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TOWARDS EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR OPTIMUM LEARNING OUTCOMES IN UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The research is anchored on assessing the level of awareness and readiness of university 
students of Federal and State Universities in Anambra state. Specifically, the study 
provided empirical evidence on the current state of technological knowledge and 
preparedness of university students in Anambra state universities towards embracing 
emerging technologies for the purposes of improving learning in 21st century education.  
A descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The study were guided 
by three research questions and three null hypotheses. The target population consisted of 
regular undergraduate students from universities in Anambra state at the tune of 30,000 
students. The sample size comprised four hundred  students’ across two public 
universities; Nnamdi Azikiwe university, Awka (NAU) and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu  
Ojukwu  university, Ighariam (COOU). Multi stage sampling technique was used to draw 
target audience. A 30 item researchers’ constructed and validated questionnaire was used 
for data collection at 5-point likert scale. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach's alpha, and the reliability index was found to be within the acceptable 
limit of  0.81 indicating a high level of internal consistency. An online survey using 
Google Forms and physical forms were used to collect the data. Mean and standard 
deviation were used to analyze the research questions while the null hypothesis was tested 
using ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the level of 
awareness was weighted at 3.04, therefore showing that awareness is moderately high. 
On the other hand, readiness was weighted 2.44, which indicated slightly ready. Finding 
also revealed the extent of usage was 2.93, this revealed small extent usage of emerging 
technologies for learning purposes. Results of the hypotheses showed that there were no 
significant difference between   male and female university students  in their  level of 
awareness, readiness and usage in universities in Anambra State respectively. The study 
recommended amongst others, a periodic sensitization programme where university 
students will be educated on the relevance of these emerging technologies for their 
academic and professional development.