FACTORS INFLUENCING THE TEACHING OF PRINTING TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATES’ SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE ENTREPRENEURIAL PRACTICES IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

The study examined factors influencing the teaching of printing technology for business education undergraduates’ skill development and future entrepreneurial practices in Delta State. Three research questions guided the study. Three null hypotheses were tested. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 22 business education lecturers that teach in Degree programme at Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Delta State in Affiliation with Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Edo State and the only institution that offers printing technology as a course. The entire population was studied due to its manageable size. A questionnaire titled: “Factors Influencing the Teaching of Printing Technology for Students’ Skill Development and Future Entrepreneurial Practices Questionnaire (FIETPTSSDFEPQ), structured on a 4-point rating scale and contained 23-item question statements was used to generate data. The instrument was validated by two experts. The reliability test was determined using Cronbach Alpha which yielded overall coefficient value of 0.81. The 22 copies of the instrument were administered to the respondents and 21 were successfully retrieved. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that Lecturers with industry experience in printing technology teach more practical and relevant skills; demonstration and blended teaching methods, access and utilization of modern machines and printing tools in class help students acquire relevant practical skills for entrepreneurship. It was concluded that business education lecturers, especially those updated with current trends in printing technology should make use of demonstration and blended teaching methods while utilizing modern printing technology tools and equipment to enhance business education undergraduates’ skill development for future entrepreneurial practices in Delta State. It was recommended among others that business education lecturers should be given on-the-job training on rudiments of teaching printing technology course as a matter of urgency, while ensuring adequate supply of modern printing technology training materials, equipment and facilities for training the students.