Assessment Of Agricultural Researchers’ Utilization Of E-Learning And E-Reporting Of Research Findings In Selected Institutions In Imo State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to assess researchers‘ utilization of e-learning and e-reporting of research findings in selected institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. Some specific objectives were to identify the e-learning and e-reporting technologies available for use by agricultural researchers; determine the mastery level of skills in the application of elearning and e-reporting technologies possessed by the respondents; assess the level of utilization of these technologies by agricultural researchers; and to identify factors/ challenges affecting the effective utilization of e-learning and e-reporting technologies by the agricultural researchers in the selected institutions in Imo State. Data were collected using structured and validated questionnaire from 150 agricultural researchers selected through proportionate, purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as mean, frequency score, percentages, Ordinary Least Square (OLS), Z-Test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the level of utilization of e-learning and e-reporting technologies by agricultural researchers was low with a grand mean of 1.83; agricultural researchers in Imo State tertiary institutions considered the following factors, viz: irregular power supply, non-availability of fund, poor maintenance culture, poor network connection, lack of regular training, etc. to be serious challenges that affect the effective utilization of e-learning and e-reporting technologies in their institutions. The hypothetical analyses showed that there was a significant relationship between the socioeconomic characteristics of the agricultural researchers and their level of utilization of the e-learning and e-reporting technologies in selected institutions in Imo State; agricultural researchers in selected institutions in Imo State do not differ significantly in their utilization of e-learning and e-reporting technologies. The study recommended that agricultural extension should develop techniques or improvise means to curtail the stream of challenges that would affect the effective utilization of these technologies as revealed from the study.