Simulation-Based Training Needs for Students’ Skill Acquisition in Technology Education Programmes in Universities in Rivers State

Abstract

The study focused on simulation-based training needs for students’ skill acquisition in Technology Education Programmes in Universities in Rivers State. Specifically, the study sought the interactive web-based simulation training needs, game-based simulations training needs, augmented simulation training needs and virtual simulation training needs for students’ skill acquisition in Technology Education Programmes in Universities in Rivers State. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 70 respondents, comprising 70 Lecturers and 30 Instructors in the two Universities in Rivers State. The study was a census as the entire population was studied. The choice of census is due to the relatively small size of the population. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Simulation-Based Training Needs Questionnaire”. The instrument was structured on five-point likert type rating scale of Very High Extent (VHE), High Extent (HE), Moderate Extent (ME), Low Extent (LE) and Very Low Extent (VLE).  The instrument was validated by three experts and the instrument had .77 reliability coefficient. The findings of the study showed that interactive web-based simulation training is needed for Students’ skill acquisition in Technology Education Programmes in Universities in Rivers State. The findings of the study revealed that game-based simulations training is needed for Students’ skill acquisition in Technology Education Programmes in Universities in Rivers State. The following recommendations were made based on the research findings: Prices of computers and cost of operation of web-based facilities should be subsidized by government. Also, as computer illiteracy is a problem to the application of web-based training, all the Technology Education Professionals should embrace computer education and become computer literate. To make Instructors to be more aware of the impacts of virtual classrooms, the lecturers in both federal and state universities should be using online teaching and communications to the Instructors. Most times, lecturers should upload the class assignment through WhatsApp or blog platforms. Gradually, the impacts will be felt and many more Instructors will start to develop interest in an online class.