INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT): AVAILABILITY AND EFFECTS ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined Information and Communication Technology (ICT): Availability and Effects on Secondary School Students’ Academic Performance in Kogi. Four objective questions were examined. A survey research method was employed. The total sampled for the study were 450 respondents. A validated 48 items research designed questionnaire was used to data from the respondents. The questionnaire was pilot tested and Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was used to analysis the data that yielded 0.91. The data generated were analyzed using simple percentage and mean. The result revealed that ICT gadgets available to secondary school students were majorly mobile phones, televisions, computers, laptops, palmtops, tablet, gaming devices and the internet; students often engaged with ICT gadgets such as phones, tablets, televisions, desktop computers, smartwatches, gaming devices, internet, cable networks, MP3/4 devices, USB flash drives and SD cards; the identified types of activities and its effect on secondary school students’ academic performance include cheating during exam, visiting none educational site during assignments, viewing pornographic content, frequent download of music and games, excessive viewing of television and listening to series recorded music using mp3 and mobile phones, watching of movies, distracting them during class hours, and social media; and ICT use influenced secondary school students’ study habit in Kogi State. The study recommended among others that secondary schools’ authority should ensure that coming to school with these gadgets are prohibited. The study concludes that while there are effects associated with ICT concerning secondary school students' performance, it is vital to recognize that responsible usage and effective management can mitigate these effects