New Media and Mass Communication www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3267 (Paper) ISSN 2224-3275 (Online) Vol.73, 2018 8 Assessment of e-Learning Skills Need of Vocational Education Students in South-Eastern Universities, Nigeria Cajethan Uche Ugwuoke 1 Benardine Ifeoma Onah 2 Ernest O. Ugwoke 3 1.Department of Vocational Teacher Education (Agricultural Education), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria 2.Department of Vocational Teacher Education (Computer Education), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria 3.Department of Vocational Teacher Education (Business Education), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify e-learning skills needs of Vocational Education students in universities in Southeastern Nigeria. To elicit the pertinent information for the study, two research questions were answered on the students’ expressed performance and perceived level of importance attached on the e-learning skills. One null hypothesis was also formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was face-validated by three experts. Data were collected from 273 respondents made up of Vocational Education students in Universities in five states in Southeastern Nigeria. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while correlated t-test statistic was used to test the null hypotheses. The study found that the expressed performance of students on the identified e-learning skills was poor and their perceived levels of importance of the skills were very high. Among others, the researchers recommended that, training should be organized for students on e-learning in the identified deficient areas to close the skills gap. Keywords: e-learning, Vocational Education Students, Skills needs, University 1. Introduction e-learning encompasses learning at all levels, both formal and non-formal that uses an information network such as the internet, and intranet (LAN) or extranet (WAN), whether wholly or in part, for course delivery, interaction, evaluation and/or facilitation. Hedge and Hayward (2004) defined e-learning as an innovative approach for delivering electronically mediated, well-designed, learner-centered and interactive learning environments to anyone, any place, anytime by utilizing the internet and digital technologies in concert with instructional design principles. In this globalization age, learning can be obtained online or offline through the internet or through the computer – CD-ROM. The online ways involves the use of browsers like: Internet Explorer, Navigator, and Mozilla fire fox among others for learning. In the context of this study, e-learning is the use of digital technologies with internet base to empower students to acquire knowledge with ease. The development of e-learning and globalization of information and communication technology have created high demand for workers with computer, communications, and other occupational skills that can be acquired in Universities. Toffler (2010) submitted that the illiterates of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot use electronic technology to learn, unlearn and relearn. The issue of learning in e-learning environments must be given a thorough attention to enable the student participate in the global society e-learning includes Computer-Based Training (CBT), Web-Based Training (WBT), and Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS), distance or online learning and online tutorials (Kurtus, 2010). In addition, Smith, Reed & Jones (2008) stated that e-learning content is delivered via the internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV and CD-ROM. It may be in the form of audio, visual, and /or audio/visual and always creates an atmosphere of learning convenience. Hence, Brandon and Howard (2011) affirmed that e- learning has some definite benefits over traditional classroom training. These, according to the authors, include flexibility and cost savings from not having to travel or spend excess time away from work. The most important advantage of e-learning is that e-learning enables people to learn anytime and anywhere. e-learning gives freedom and flexibility to learn when and where one wants and at one’s own pace. Other benefits derivable from e-learning experience include: its’ fastness and time saving; it provides a consistent message and one can work from any location at any time (Brandon & Howard, 2011). Also, e-learning can be updated easily and quickly, and can lead to retention and a stronger grasp of the subject matter. e-learning has uniformity of content among other numerous benefits most especially when it is properly applied during teaching and learning environments (Brandon & Howard, 2011). For effective use of e-learning especially the application and processes, students should be able to efficiently explore the present-day digital technologies for effective learning lifelong skills. Skill is imperative for e-learning activities such as glossary, forum, assignment, wikis, charts among others. According to Obi (2005), skill is the ability to use one’s knowledge effectively and readily in performing an act, or habit of doing a particular thing competently. For example, a singer who plays the guitar while singing is said to be skillful in playing the guitar. Nnachi (2007) refers to skill as the ability to perform well in a task as a result of exposure, training or practice. The author explained that an individual may hardly be skilled in a task without