TEACHERS’ DIGITAL COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IN EVALUATING BUSINESS EDUCATION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between teachers’ digital competence and utilization of new technology in evaluating Business Education courses in Tertiary Institution in Rivers State. One specific objectives, one research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. Descriptive-Correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population and sample of the study consisted of 116 Business Education Lecturers in four tertiary institutions offering Business Education as an undergraduate programme in Rivers State during the 2023/2024 academic session. Structured designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The face validated questionnaire was subjected to reliability testing using Cronbach Alpha coefficient 0.84 for all the items. Data collected for this study were analysed Using Mean, Standard Deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The results revealed that to low extent, lecturers possessed digital competencies required for automated grading and electronic peer review. The results also revealed that some lecturers are using new technology for evaluating business education in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The results also revealed that there is positive relationship between extent of teacher’s digital competence and the extent of utilization of new technology in evaluating Business Education Courses in Tertiary Institutions. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others, that Business education administrators in tertiary institutions in Rivers State should organize train-the-trainers workshop for business education lecturers, and ensure lecturers are empowered with necessary new technologies software for evaluating business education courses in tertiary institutions in Rivers State.