TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT AND PSYCHO SOCIAL ISSUES AS DETERMINANT OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE. (A STUDY OF BABCOCK, CONVENANT, OLABISI ONABANJO, TAI-SOLARIN UNIVERSITY)

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT AND PSYCHO SOCIAL ISSUES AS DETERMINANT OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE. (A STUDY OF BABCOCK, CONVENANT, OLABISI ONABANJO, TAI-SOLARIN UNIVERSITY)

ABSTRACT

The study sought to examine technological advancement and psychosocial issues (resilience, academic stress, peer relations and family structure) as determinants of academic performance of Economics Students in Tertiary Institutions in Ogun State.  A two-stage sampling technique was adopted to select 600 (200-400 Level) students in Covenant University Ota, Babcock University, Ilishan, Tai-Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode and Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. The study made use of a well-structured questionnaire to solicit information from the respondents. Data collected were subjected to the quantitative technique of regression analysis. The results revealed that technological advancement is not a significant determinant of academic performance (p>.05); resilience (p<.05) and academic stress (p<.05) are the psychosocial issues that significantly determined academic performance and lastly, the joint influence of academic performance and psychosocial issues significantly determined academic performance (p<.05). Based on this, the study suggests amongst others that, students should properly utilize technological facilities such as internet, laptop, e-notebook, ipad and the like in their academics. These facilities should be used to source for information pertaining to their courses, assignments, tests, term-papers, examinations and projects. This will widen the knowledge frontiers of the students, raises their level of exposure and enlightenment, which will further improve their academic performance.

                                                      CHAPTER ONE

                                                                 INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The National Policy on Education (2009) recognizes education as the nation’s greatest asset towards the quick development of its economic potentials, sociological and human resources, hence, it focuses on the integration of the individual into a sound and effective citizen. Education has been the pillar upon which all meaningful national development is built. It is the instrument which sets the pace for growth, development, and understanding of issues in their entire ramification. For education to be relevant in a society, it has to be effectively taught and this can only be achieved through the use of good methods and suitable instructional materials.

Schools, Colleges and Universities have no worth without students. Students are most essential assets for any educational institute. The social and economic development of the country is directly linked with students’ performance. The students’ performance plays an important role in producing the best quality graduates who will become great leaders and manpower for the country thus responsible for the country’s economic and social development. (Ali, N., Jusof, K., Ali, S., Mokhtar, N., and Salamt, A.S. 2009).

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT AND PSYCHO SOCIAL ISSUES AS DETERMINANT OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ECONOMICS STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE. (A STUDY OF BABCOCK, CONVENANT, OLABISI ONABANJO, TAI-SOLARIN UNIVERSITY)