Training Initiatives for Skills Acquisition in Icts by Academic Staff of The University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

Abstract

This study sought to assess training initiatives for skills acquisition in ICTs by academic staff of the University of Calabar. A descriptive survey design and the random sampling procedure were used to administer 150 copies of a validated questionnaire to academic staff of the university. Of these, 90 usable copies representing a 60% response rate were returned. Results showed that academic staff used ICTs for communication, teaching and learning activities, also that they acquired skills in ICTs through personal effort rather than formal staff development process. The study therefore concluded that academic staff may not be in a position to actively embrace innovative uses of ICT in teaching and learning because of little or no formal training and recommended that the University management should direct and ensure that a training program be designed and implemented to support academic staff in their understanding and application of ICTs in student learning. Also that, the staff development division should encourage and strengthen teaching staff professional development through subsidized training cost and improved sponsorship for workshops, seminars and conferences aimed at providing an understanding of available technologies and how these might be utilized in support of teaching, learning and assessment .

Keywords: Information and Communication Technologies, Skills Acquisition, University Education, Academic Staff, Professional Development.