EXTENT OF UTILIZATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS BY AUTO-MECHANICS TEACHERS FOR TEACHING OF AUTO-MECHANICS TRADE IN TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN SOUTH EAST STATES, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study determined extent of utilization of new technological skills by auto-mechanics teachers in teaching auto-mechanics trade in technical colleges in Southeast, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses was tested at 0.05 level of significance. Descriptive survey research design was adopted in this study. The population comprises 130 respondents from auto-mechanics trade teachers in Southeast, Nigeria. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire, validated by three experts; two experts from Industrial Technology Education, and one expert from the Measurement and Evaluation unit, Faculty of Education. The reliability was established using pilot study and data analyzed using Cronbach Alpha with an index of 0.71. and 0.85. it had an overall reliability of 0.87 showing highly reliable. Collected data was analyzed using mean and standard deviation, whereas, null hypotheses were tested using t-test analysis. It was found that electronic ignition system and electronic power steering system skills are moderately utilized by auto-mechanics teachers in teaching auto-mechanics trade in technical colleges in Southeast Nigeria. Additionally, hypotheses testing revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in mean ratings of experienced and less experienced auto-mechanic teachers on extent to which electronic ignition system and electronic power steering system skills were utilized in teaching auto-mechanics trade in technical colleges in Southeast. It was concluded in the study that effective application of new technological skills will undoubtedly enhance teaching, productivity, economic development, employment and reduces involvement in social vices of technical college students in Southeast. Based on that, the researchers recommend that technical college teachers should understand the working principles of electronic ignition system and electronic power steering system in order to effectively teach students in auto-mechanics in technical colleges.
