International Journal of Educational Policy Research and Review Vol.2 (5), pp. 56-59 June, 2015
Available online at http://www.journalissues.org/IJEPRR/
http://dx.doi.org/10.15739/IJEPRR.013
Copyright © 2015 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article ISSN 2360-7076
Original Research Article
Competency improvement needs of graduates to
overcome constrains in computer and internet
application in their enterprises in Kogi State, Nigeria
Accepted 22 January, 2015
*Okeme I.,
Alawa D.A.
and
Essien M.I.
Faculty of Education, University
of Calabar, Nigeria.
*Corresponding Author
Email: isaacokeme65@gmail.com
Tel: +2348033452801
This study focused on the Competency Improvement Needs of Graduates to
overcome constrains in Computer and Internet Application in their
Enterprises in Kogi State, Nigeria. The survey design was used to carry out
the study which was conducted in Kogi state using a selected population of
74 graduates engaged in enterprises that require the use of computer and
internet. Two research questions guided the study. A 14 item questionnaire
was developed and validated by three experts in the Unit of Computer
Education of the Department of Vocational Teacher Education, University of
Nigeria, Nsukka. The Cronbach alpha method was utilized to determine the
reliability of the instrument which yielded an alpha coefficient of 0.86.
Weighted Mean and Competency Improvement Needs Index (CINI) were
used to answer the research questions. It was found out that graduates
engaged in enterprises that require the application of computer and Internet
require improvement in the Application of Computer and Internet for
success in their workplace. It was recommended that graduates requiring
competencies in application of Computer and Internet be properly
empowered for global challenges in their workplace through workshops.
Key words: Competency, improvement, computer, internet, Kogi, Nigeria.
INTRODUCTION
The application of computer and internet by graduates in
any enterprise is very crucial to the success of the
enterprise. An enterprise according to Hornby (2004) is a
business company or a firm. In this study, an enterprise is
any business outfit engaged in by graduates and managed
by them for profit.
A graduate according to Hornby (2004) is someone that
has received a degree from a school (high school or college
or university). In relevance to this study, graduates are
individuals who have received training in a recognized
university and are awarded a certificate of that institution.
These graduates require the use of computer and internet
to facilitate the efficiency of their enterprises. The
computer according to Olaitan and Dada (2009) is
described as an electronic device which consists of a central
processing unit (CUP), a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse
or touch pad with the following functions.
- Imputing, processing and storing data and
information.
- Retrieving the stored information through
downloading and printing.
- Manipulating data in order to achieve the desired
objectives of the enterprise.
The internet cannot function effectively without the
computer in managing information and making the
information available to those that require it around the
world. These graduates require computer and internet in
order to reach the world about issues concerning their
enterprises such as demand and supply. In this process
they are usually confronted with some technology
constrains occurring from computer or internet
malfunctioning which hindered free flow of input and
retrieval of information beyond the doorsteps of a
businessman. For the graduates to overcome these