Appraisal of Knowledge Update among Guidance Counsellors of the Nigerian Universities: Focus on Information and Communication Technologies Utilization

Abstract

This study assessed the extent to which the guidance counsellors in Nigerian universities utilize Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for knowledge updated (KU) in this information age. Ku implies that knowledge already acquired should be evaluated and re-evaluated so as to be in line with the global expectations. The study adopted a descriptive survey. The population comprised all the guidance counsellors in the four federal and four state - owned universities in South – South and South –East zones of Nigeria numbering 115. From the federal were 67 and from the state were 48. Four research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The sample size was 87 (51 from federal and 36 from state universities). Stratified random sampling due to ownership (federal and state) was used to select the universities while 75% of the population and guidance counsellors status (those that are lecturing) were used to select the guidance counsellors. The instrument was a 46 -item questionnaire developed by the researchers. The instrument was validated using Cronbach Alpha technique. The reliability coefficient was computed for the four sections, viz; section A = 0.80; B = 0.83; section C = 0.70 and D = 0.81. The instrument was administered with the help of four research assistants. The data collected were analyzed using means for research questions and t-test statistics for hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The result showed among others that the guidance counsellors in Nigerian universities have been utilizing ICTs to a low extent for KU. Therefore, the recommendations were that there has to be internet connectivity in Nigerian universities and free access to their usage. Again, the guidance counsellors should be motivated by way of special grants given to them for research works using ICTs for KU.

Key words: Knowledge Update, Guidance and Counselling Services, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Rationales and motivation.