ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF E- LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN EDO STATE

The research work assessed availability and utilization of e-learning technologies on academic performance of Business Education Students in Higher Institutions in Edo State. Six research questions and two hypotheses were raised and formulated respectively to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised of the five hundred and twenty-one (521) Business Education students in 200 level, 300 level and 400 level students in the University of Benin and Igbinedion University, out of which 100 students were used as sample, using the disproportionate stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire containing forty items was the instrument used in obtaining responses from respondents. The reliability of the instrument was ensured by using Cronbach Alpha reliability computation which yielded a co- efficient index of 0.839. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research question, while t-test and ANOVA were used to test the hypothesis. The findings of the study showed that students had several positive thinking about e-learning technologies enhancing business education programme and these technologies which would cover the gap that exist between theories and practical learning were not effectively available. Arising from the findings, it was recommended that government and other relevant stakeholders in education should provide adequate e-learning technologies for the teaching and learning process of business education courses. The government should make Internet connectivity a priority for higher education by creating free and accessible wifi. And also, the relevant authorities should create an avenue for uninterrupted power supply. In addition, in-service training programmes such as on the job training and retraining programmes such as attending seminars, workshop on the utilization of e-learning technologies should be allowed on a regular basis for serving business educators and students in the University of Benin, Benin City and Igbinedion University, Okada..