DIGITAL DIVIDE AMONG BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE: BRIDGING THE GAP THROUGH ICT IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES
Abstract
School libraries are increasingly expected to provide technological devices and instruction on interacting with the digital world appropriately. This study adopted the survey research design to examine the digital divide among Business Education students in tertiary institutions in Anambra State, Nigeria, with a focus on bridging the gap through ICT in school libraries.
The population comprised all 701 year two and year three Degree students in the 2022/2023 academic session of Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. The sample size of 254 Business Education students was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was then applied to select respondents from the various strata.
Two research questions guided the study. A 22-item structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents, and the data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings indicated, among others, that the extent of availability of ICT resources in school libraries for bridging the digital divide among Business Education students in tertiary institutions in Anambra State was to a low extent.
It was recommended, among other things, that institutions should invest in ICT infrastructure and resources in school libraries to ensure adequate availability of ICT resources that can help bridge the digital divide.
Keywords: Business Education, Digital Divide, ICT, Tertiary Institution, School Library.
Uju Vivian Amah
Commerce and Cooperative Education Department
Email: chisomnuela@gmail.com
Nwafor Nnaemeka Basil
Accounting Education Department
School of Business Education, F.C.E. (T), Umunze