Utilization of ICT Facilities for Enhancing Instructional Delivery of Agricultural Science in Nigerian Secondary Schools

This study examined the availability, functionality and utilization of ICT facilities for effective instructional delivery of agricultural science in Nigeria Secondary Schools. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions guided the study. The study area was North-central States of Nigeria and the population was 1706 teachers of agricultural science in secondary schools. Purposive Sampling Technique was adopted to select 853 Heads of Departments of Agriculture from the secondary schools. The researchers developed a 60-items questionnaire titled utilization of ICT facilities for instructional delivery of agricultural science (UICTFIDAS) for data collection. Three experts validated the instrument. Cronbach Alpha method was used to test the reliability and a coefficient value of 0.82 was obtained. Research question one was answered using frequencies and percentages, while mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions 2 and 3. Findings of the study revealed that most ICT facilities were not available, and the few available were not utilized because of non-functionality in most secondary schools in the study area. The study concluded that there was need for a refocus on ICT integration in the education system, which is a common trend in the millennium. Recommendations were made among which, was that government should collaborate with stakeholders in providing adequate ICT facilities, organize seminars and workshops to empower teachers with ICT knowledge and skills. In addition, school administrators should ensure utilization and maintenance of ICT facilities available in their schools

Utilization of ICT Facilities for Enhancing Instructional Delivery of Agricultural Science in Nigerian Secondary Schools

This study examined the availability, functionality and utilization of ICT facilities for effective instructional delivery of agricultural science in Nigeria Secondary Schools. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions guided the study. The study area was North-central States of Nigeria and the population was 1706 teachers of agricultural science in secondary schools. Purposive Sampling Technique was adopted to select 853 Heads of Departments of Agriculture from the secondary schools. The researchers developed a 60-items questionnaire titled utilization of ICT facilities for instructional delivery of agricultural science (UICTFIDAS) for data collection. Three experts validated the instrument. Cronbach Alpha method was used to test the reliability and a coefficient value of 0.82 was obtained. Research question one was answered using frequencies and percentages, while mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions 2 and 3. Findings of the study revealed that most ICT facilities were not available, and the few available were not utilized because of non-functionality in most secondary schools in the study area. The study concluded that there was need for a refocus on ICT integration in the education system, which is a common trend in the millennium. Recommendations were made among which, was that government should collaborate with stakeholders in providing adequate ICT facilities, organize seminars and workshops to empower teachers with ICT knowledge and skills. In addition, school administrators should ensure utilization and maintenance of ICT facilities available in their schools

Enhancement of Critical Thinking Skills of Vocational and Adult Education Students for Entrepreneurship Development in Nigeria

Business and occupations are becoming more reliant on cognitive-capacity of workers who are well grounded in critical thinking skills. This study is, therefore, focused on the enhancement of critical thinking skills of vocational and adult education students for entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Four hundred and eighteen lecturers in vocational and adult education programmes in universities in South-Eastern Nigeria made up the population for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study while 32-item structured questionnaire and focus group discussion were used for data collection. The questionnaire was face-validated by experts. Cronbach Alpha reliability technique was used to ascertain the internal consistency of the questionnaire which yielded a coefficient of 0.78. The data collected with the 418 copies of questionnaire administered and returned were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while t-test statistic was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. It was found that the ability to analyse, evaluate and challenge assumptions, information and opposing point of view are essential critical thinking skills required by students. The study also identified many strategies for enhancing critical thinking skills of students to include: debate and group discussion; solving numerical problems and puzzles, among others. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers recommended that capacity-building programmes should be organized regularly for lecturers for them to teach students critical thinking skills effectively. Key words: Entrepreneurship, Critical Thinking Skills, Education, Vocational and Adult Education

Strategic Management of Climate Change Challenges to Crop and Livestock Productions in Southern Nigeria

The study investigated strategic management of climate change challenges to crop and livestock production in Southern Nigeria which is currently being threatened by climate change effects/challenges. Crop and livestock production in this area include economic farm products that are currently facing serious climate change threats /challenges. Climate change and agricultural production literature show that the havoc caused by climate change in Nigeria suggests more frightening future threats on agriculture in Africa. This makes it imperative to evolve sustainable strategic management techniques for managing climate change challenges to crop and livestock productions that constitute major farm products in Southern Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A total of 610 respondents comprising of 266 registered crop farmers, 266 livestock farmers and 78 agricultural extension agents were used as study sample.  A questionnaire and focus group discussion guide were the instruments used for data collection. Data were analyzed using the means, standard deviation and t-test statistics. The study revealed the Weaknesses & Threats; Strengths & Opportunities (SWOT analysis) of climate change challenges to crop and livestock productions. It was found among others that: death and low yield of crops and livestock due to drought; heat stress are Weaknesses and Threats while the Strengths and Opportunities include, adoption of species or varieties of crops and breeds of animals that are resistant to drought and heat stress as well as government intervention. It was recommended among others that agricultural scientists and researchers should focus more on developing crops and livestock species that are climate change tolerant. Key Words: Strategic Management, SWOT Analysis, Climate Change, Crop & Livestock production