Implementation of Office Technology and Management Curriculum Towards Acquisition of Word Processing Skill

Abstract

The research assessed the implementation of Office Technology and Management curriculum toward acquisition of word processing skills in Polytechnics in North-east Nigeria. Two specific purposes were determined and it was anchored on Edward Thorndike classical experiment theory.  The study adopted explanatory mixed method research design.  The population was 115 comprising 107 lecturers and 8 Heads of Office Technology and Management Departments from eight polytechnics in the North-east.  It was a census study since the whole population was used. A 20-item questionnaire tagged ‘’Implementation of Office Technology and Management Curriculum towards Acquisition of Word Processing Skills’’ (IOTMCAWPS) with modified 4-points rating scale was the instrument used for the quantitative data collection.  A semi-structured interview was used to collect the qualitative data. The instruments were face and content validated by three experts. The internal consistence of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha procedure and the result yielded a reliability coefficient index of 0.82.  Mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data collected to answer the research questions, independent t-test and ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.  The study revealed among others that demonstration, discovery, group discussion, inquiry method, activity-based method, and guided discovery as well as innovative method are methods of teaching necessary towards acquisition of word processing skills (mean = 2.89, SD = 0.75).  The findings also reveals test, quiz, presentation, group project, hands-on activity, and diagnostic assessment as well as summative assessment are utilized in the acquisition of keyboarding and word processing skills (=3.17, SD 0.69). The findings on all the two hypotheses tested revealed that there were significant differences in the mean ratings of lecturers and instructors and lecturers based on their year of experiences ((t₁₀₅ = 12.769, P<0.05, t₁₀₅ = 6.180, P<0.05).  Sequel to the findings of the study it was recommended among others that heads of departments and units should ensure proper supervision of lecturers implementing this course so that the right pedagogy is utilized for the acquisition of keyboarding and word processing skill.