MAXIMIZING TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL (TAM) IN ASSESSING THE USE OF ICT TO PROMOTE DISTANCE EDUCATION IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN THE ASHANTI REGION, GHANA

The study investigated maximizing Technology Acceptance Model in accessing the attitude of rural farmers using ICT tools in farming to enhance productivity. Using a positivist philosophical perspective, this study adopted the survey research design to respectively 210 registered level 300 distance education students of both universities pursuing Business Administration from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED). The study employed questionnaires as a data collection tool. Findings revealed that ICTs were useful for both institutions giving them some sort of autonomy for students in their education, inducing presentation, demonstration, interaction, and collaboration. Some of the challenges the distance students faced were the limited ICT facilities and services, and technical hitches, among others. The study recommended that these universities should invest in contemporary ICT infrastructure to aid the new generation of distance students

Contemporary strategies in marketing e-resources amongst selected Technical University (TU) Libraries in Ghana

The study examined Contemporary strategies in marketing e-resources amongst selected Technical Universities (TUs) in Ghana. 62 respondents were respectively drawn from all three selected Technical Universities ie Kumasi Technical University, Tamale Technical University, and Takoradi Technical University. Given that the population from the three TUs library staff was small, no sampling had to be done. The investigator sent out 62 questionnaires to the three TUs and received 39 responses representing 63 %. A descriptive survey design was employed to acquire data from the selected Technical University (TUs) libraries. Analysis of the data gathered was carried out using bar charts, pie charts, Line graphs, and percentages. Findings discovered that the state of use of e-resources amongst selected TUs was not encouraging. This is a result that the selected TUs were not using contemporary strategies such as print, online advertisement, electronic methods, and merchandise giveaways in marketing e-resources in their various libraries. Therefore, it is required of the various TUs to put measures to employ these contemporary approaches in marketing e-resources in their various libraries

User Awareness and Usability of Research Support Platforms amongst undergraduates at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) in Ghana

Abstract The study examined the awareness and usability of online library research support platforms among undergraduate students at Kumasi Technical University in Ghana. 126 respondents were sampled and respectively drawn from all the seven faculties that consist of the student population. A descriptive survey method was employed to obtain data from the various faculties using a questionnaire. Analysis of data gathered was carried out using Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS), version 20 and excel 2016 for descriptive statistics using percentages. The results revealed that the majority of the students were not aware of the online library research support platforms available at the university library. They could not state the online library research support platforms they recently used at the university library or outside the university library. Also, the frequency at which they used the research platforms were not inspiring. It was further established that the research platforms were not easy to be used by undergraduate students. However, some of the respondents were satisfied with the research platforms and found them to be user-friendly. The study recommends that University Library should consider new ways of creating awareness to attract the new generation of students into the university library. For instance, introduce multimedia technologies that shall allow students to interact, create many open spaces with internet cables where other technological equipment and devices can be connected

Contributions of Human and Non-human Resources’ Function, Benefit, and Rigidities Associated with Marketing E-resources among the Staff of Selected Technical University (TU) Libraries in Ghana.

The study investigated the contributions of human and non-human resources’ function, benefit, and rigidities associated with marketing e-resources at selected Technical University (TU) libraries in Ghana. 62 respondents from the three Technical Universities (TUs) libraries were respectively drawn from all the three selected Technical Universities (Kumasi Technical University, Tamale Technical University, and Takoradi Technical University). Given that the population from the three TUs library staff was small, no sampling had to be done. The investigator sent out 62 questionnaires to the various TUs and received 39 responses representing 63 %. To collect data from the libraries of the designated Technical Universities (TUs), a descriptive survey method was used. The data was analyzed using pie charts, bar charts, bar charts, line graphs, and percentages. Findings discovered that human resources are a key factor in marketing e-resources among the selected Tus libraries. Also, the functionality, attractiveness, invitation, and arrangement of the physical library building of the selected TUs libraries were good but not up to the mark. It was also certain that e-resources available at the selected Tus were challenged with several issues such as slow internet connections and restricted access, inadequate training on how to use the internet, inadequate funding, and poor ICT facilities, equipment, and resources. Hence the study recommends that the selected Technical Universities (TU) libraries should consider addressing the following challenges to aid the effectiveness of marketing e-resources

MAXIMIZING TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL IN ACCESSING THE ATTITUDE OF RURAL FARMERS USING ICT TOOLS IN FARMING TO ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY

The study was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique involving simple random sampling, a probability sampling method, purposive sampling, and snowball sampling, which are non-probability methods. Two regions, namely, the Greater Accra and Eastern were purposively selected for the study. In the Greater Accra Region, Ada East District was selected while in the Eastern Region Asuogyaman District. In Greater Accra, the study was conducted in six farming villages namely: Big Ada, Dogo, Kasseh, Addokope, Korlekope, and Bedeku. In Eastern regions, the study was conducted in Asogyaman, where Tortibo, Sappor, Yenease, Adina Donor, and Ankyease. A snowball strategy was relied on in selecting small-scale farmers for the study. A total of 390 households, 130 from each district, were sampled randomly. The methodologies used for primary data were household surveys and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) while the instruments used were semi-structured pre-tested Interview Schedules and Checklist respectively. The study concludes that age has an effect on the attitude of small-scale farmers concerning their perceived use of ICT to improve their farming activities. The educational level of an individual plays a significant role in the acceptance and use of ICT