INTEGRATING MULTIPLE KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM IN TECHNOLOGY AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: PANACEA FOR ENRICHING AND SUSTAINING MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study is on integrating multiple knowledge systems in technology and vocational education: a panacea for enriching and sustaining manpower development in Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Four research questions were raised for the study. A total of 28 questionnaire items on the response mode of 4 points were generated to answer the research questions. These items were subjected to both face validation and consistency test. The population for the study included all the lecturers in the Department of Technology and Vocational Education, University of Lagos; School of Technical and Vocational Education, Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka; Department of Technology and Vocational Education. Yaba College of Technology and School of Technology and Vocational Education Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijaniki. There are 12 lecturers at the University of Lagos, 30 lecturers at the Federal College of Education, 35 lecturers at Yaba College of Technology and 15 lecturers in Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijaniki. The total number of respondents is 92. There was no sampling as the population could be managed. It found out that integrated multiple knowledge system methods of teaching can enhance student understanding of the subject, apply what they have learnt in classroom in a real-world situation, focuses on basic skills, content, and higher-level thinking and provides connections among various curricular disciplines. Several students’ related factors affect the integrated method of teaching. These factors include the maturity of the student, health status, readiness, ability and willpower, active participation, attention level of the student, satisfaction and level of aspiration. It was proven that the integrated multiple-knowledge system method of teaching has great advantages over the traditional method especially when it has to do with enriching and sustaining manpower development. It was concluded that lecturers should constantly upgrade themselves to acquire more knowledge and experience in their discipline.