HIGHER INSTITUTIONS

The study is focused on the attitude of public relations practitioners towards public relations in higher institutions in Edo state. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the extent Public relations practitioners in higher institutions of learning in Edo state practice the profession in line with Nigerian Institute of Public Relations guidelines and to examine the challenges facing Public Relations practitioners in higher institutions in Edo state. The survey research method was used to gather the data used for the study. However, the population for this study is 150 while the sample size is 109. Findings revealed that Public relations practitioners in higher institutions of learning in Edo state have a positive attitude towards the practice of public relations and they practice the profession in line with Nigerian Institute of Public Relations guidelines. However, poor funding and lack of experience are major challenges facing practice of public relations practitioners in higher institution of learning in Edo state. The researcher therefore recommended among other things that Management should ensure that the Public rela tions unit be well funded and that public relations practitioners are well paid to ensure their well-being. The researcher also recommended that Public relations practitioners in higher Institution of learning should uphold the ethics of the profession in order to earn respect in the society. The focus of the study is attitude and perception of public relations practitioners towards public relations in higher institutions, which will help maintain mutually beneficial relationship between management and the public.

This study assesses challenges of adopting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching history in higher institutions. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The population comprised of history education students in University of Benin, Benin City. A sample of 150 was selected for the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The reliability of the instrument was ascertained and Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.82 was obtained. The online survey method using Google Form was adopted in collecting data from respondents. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation). Results indicated that Internet and online databases did not constitute challenges to adopting ICT in teaching and learning history, there are qualified ICT instructors, however there are experiences/incidences of untrained ICT instructors and shortage of qualified ICT instructors, there are sufficient ICT classrooms/Building, there are occasions of poor teaching methods in using ICT for teaching history. The study recommended that university authorities should as a matter of policy provide regular training and retraining for ICT instructors, government should endevour to improve on manpower (ICT instructors) in other to ensure sufficiency and effective teaching and learning of history using ICT, instructors should endevour to engage the best teaching method so as to achieve the learning objectives and stimulate students’ interest in learning