An appraisal of problems and solutions to the acquisition of computer literacy skills among academic staff members of Nasarawa State University Keffi and University of Jos - Nigeria

Abstract

This study which sought to find out the problems and strategies for enhancing the acquisition of computer literacy skills by academic staff members of the Nasa rawa state University Keffi (NSUK) and those of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) dwelt on the methods available for the acquisition of computer literacy skills by academic staff members , the problems confronting the staff in their desires to acquire the comp uter literacy skills as well as the solutions to overcome the problems . Anevaluative design was used for the study with a population of 1281 academic staff. A sample size of 128 (10%) of the population was used for the study. The instrument for data colle ction was questionnaire. In analyzing the data, percentages, mean and frequency tables were used. The findings revealed that workshops, conferences, on the job training, attending IT programmes and teaching by friends are some of the available computer skills acquisition methods. However, inadequate funds,inadequate power supply, lack of government sponsorship, time constraints, irregular organization of IT programmes, inadequate Internet cafes, too much work load for academic staff and inadequate computer training centres are discovered to be militating factors. The followings strategies to overcome the problems are identified: Introduction of computer training allowances to the staff, government should sponsor staff for IT programmes, improvement in power supply, organization of seminars for computer awareness, government should acquire computers for staff, reduction of work load of staff, frequent organization of IT programmes for staff and that government should launch internet cafes on the universities’ campuses.

Key Words : Acquisition, Computer, Literacy, Ski lls Academic, University, Keffi, Jos.