Innovative Digital Electronics Maintenance Skills Required of Radio, Television and Electronics Works in Technical College in Rivers State
CHAPTER ONE
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study was to determine the innovative digital electronics maintenance skills required of radio, television and electronics works in technical college in Rivers state. Specifically, the study sought to determine the;
- integrated circuits skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State.
- embedded system skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State.
- automated system skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River
- safety skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The review of related literature was carried out under the following sub-heading:
Conceptual Framework of the Study
Theoretical framework of the Study
Review of Related Empirical Studies Summary of Reviewed Literature
Conceptual Framework of the Study Digital Electronics
Digital electronics are electronics devices or appliances borne as a result technological advancement to substitute analog types. Digital electronics deals with electronics products or appliances which function on the principles of logic gate and logic decision with the use of integrated circuits (ICs) as their main component (Theraja and Sedha, 2009). Digital electronics components/products such as pocket personal Compute (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), MP3 player, digital cameras, digital camcorders, mobile phones compact disc (CD), home theatre-sound system, laptop computers, digital versatile disc (DVD) digital dictionaries and digital translators, liquid crystal (LCD) television and the likes make use of integrated circuits (ICs) extensively. Their structures and functions as well as the operation of their circuits are apparently similar because of the presence of integrated circuits in which both the active and passive components are fabricated on a tiny chip of silicon (Theraja and Sedha, 2009). Digital electronics or digital (electronic) circuits are electronics that handle digital signals (discrete bands of analog levels) rather than by continuous ranges as used in analog electronics. All levels within a band of values represent the same information state. This discretization produces relatively small changes to the analog signal levels due to manufacturing tolerance, signal attenuation or noise do not leave the discrete envelope, and as a result are ignored by signal state sensing circuitry.
In most cases, the number of these states is two, and they are represented by two voltage bands: one near a reference value (typically termed as “ground” or zero volts), and the other a value near the supply voltage. These correspond to the false and true values of the Boolean domain respectively. Digital techniques are useful because it is easier to get an electronic device to switch into one of a number of known states than to accurately reproduce a continuous range of values. Digital electronic circuits are usually made from large assemblies of logic gates, simple electronic representations of Boolean logic functions (Null, Linda; Lobur, Julia, 2006). The knowledge of digital electronics and its fundamentals would give technical college graduates clear view and understanding of electronics principle of operation and corresponding technological skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances in River State.
Maintenance
Maintenance simply means protection against on time break down of an equipment, tool or machine. Narayan (2004) stated that maintenance involves taking specific approved steps and precautions to care for a piece of equipment, machinery or facility and ensure it attains its maximum shelf-life. According to Villemeur (2011), maintenance is a combination of all technical and administrative actions including supervision intended to retain an entity or restore it to a state in which it can better perform a required function. Odouh (2003) also defined maintenance as a systematic supporting service on any device or equipment to ensure the continued operation of the facilities.
In another development, Orikpe (2004) opines that maintenance is a way of repairing or servicing used on equipment in order to enhance functionality. Orikpe emphasizes that maintenance is a deliberately planned action aimed at ensuring that a given piece of equipment or other forms of capital assets attain maximum life span. Maintenance is usually referred to as the routine care given to an equipment to delay its spoiling or damaging time. The numerous benefits from adequate maintenance are greater efficiency, enhanced productivity and preventive of premature breakdown and deterioration of appliance or machinery. Ajibola (2003) also described maintenance as a set of measure or steps taken to ensure that a given piece of capital asserts, and equipment are kept in good operational order until they attain their maximum possible life span.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHOD
In this chapter, the researcher presented the procedures that were employed in carrying out this study under the following sub-headings: research design, area of the study, population for the study, sample and sampling techniques, instrument for data collection, validation of instrument, reliability of the instrument, method of data collection and method of data analysis.
Design of the Study
The study employed a descriptive survey research design. A descriptive survey research design according to Alio (2008) is one in which a group of people or items are studied by collecting and analyzing data from only a few people or items (sample) considered to be representative of the entire group. Descriptive survey research design was used because the study involved the determination of public opinion using a polychotomously designed instrument on electronics works teachers and craftsmen in River State.
Population for the Study
The population for the study comprised 112 respondents (26 Radio, Television (electronics) works teachers from the seven technical colleges offering RTV and electronics works and 86 craftsmen in port Harcourt metropolis obtained through preliminary study in River State. The population was used because both RTV (electronics) teachers and craftsmen are equipped with maintenance skills in digital electronics.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND RESULTS
The result of the study was based on the research questions and null hypotheses that guided the study.
Research Question 1
What are the integrated circuit skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State
Table 1 show that the mean ratings of 3.53 and 3.56 were obtained for items number 9 and 27. This indicated that the integrated circuit skills itemized are very highly required by respondents for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. The table also shows that the mean rating of the ranges of 3.08 to 3.49 were obtained in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 showing that the integrated circuit skills itemized are required for maintaining digital electronics appliances.
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
In this chapter, the discussion of findings, conclusion, implication of the findings, recommendation and suggestion for further studies were presented.
Discussion of findings
The findings of this study were discussed in line with the research questions answered and hypotheses tested for the study.
Integrated Circuit Skills Required for Maintaining Digital Electronics Appliances for Self Employment of Technical College Graduates in River State.
The findings of the study with respect to research question one showed that all the items presented as integrated circuit skills were agreed as required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. These to mention but a few are; competency in static & dynamic behavior of digital and analogue circulatory, pattern sensitive fault analysis skill, behavioral fault analysis, testing, IC behavioral fault analysis skill, cross-point fault analysis skill, logical fault analysis skill and competency of electron theory of semiconductors.
These findings are in agreement with the findings of Chukwuedo (2014) who conducted a study on practical skills in digital electronics repairs required of electronic students in technical colleges in Edo state. The study was carried out to determine the practical skills in the repairs of four selected digital electronic appliances required of electronic students in technical colleges in Edo State. The findings revealed that 120 practical skills in the repairs of mobile phone, Laptop Computer, DVD home theatre sound system and LCD television respectively are highly required of electronic students in technical colleges. The study therefore recommends among others that teaching and learning of practical skills in repair of the four selected digital electronics for the study should be fully and properly integrated into the NBTE curriculum for technical colleges to enhance effective job placement of its graduates.
The result based on the hypothesis (hypothesis one) showed that there was no significant difference between the mean ratings of teachers of RTV (Electronics) works and craftsmen on the integrated circuit skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliance for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. This denotes that the status of the respondents (teachers of RTV (Electronics) works and craftsmen) had no significant influence in their opinions regarding the integrated circuit skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliance for self employment by technical college graduates in River State. Nevertheless, the identified integrated circuit skills are necessary and require integration into the curriculum of technical colleges (RTV trade) for optimum performance in maintaining digital electronics appliance for self employment by technical college graduates in River State.
Embedded System Skills Required for Maintaining Digital Electronics Appliances for Self Employment of Technical College Graduates in River State.
Research question 2 revealed that the itemized embedded system skills are required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. The skills among others include; Competency in at least one assembly language, skills in debouncing of switches, resistive ladder, rotary encoders; ability to debug breakpoints, ability to use microcontroller fundamentals, skill in effective use of an oscilloscope, a good understanding of digital and analog signal electronics and skills in accessing different kinds of memories (RAM, ROM, Flash).
The findings of the study is in consonance with the findings of Samson & Anthony (2015) who carried out a study on corrective maintenance skills requirements in DVD-Home theatre for integration into technical college curriculum. The showed that the corrective maintenance skills in the repairs of DVD home theatre sound system itemized were highly necessary for integration into electronic technology curriculum for workshop practice in technical colleges. The result summarily reveals that it is necessary that the teaching of corrective maintenance skills in DVD home theatre sound system be integrated into electronic technology curriculum of technical colleges for improved workshop practice.
The result of the t-test on embedded system skills (hypothesis two) revealed that there was no significant difference between the mean ratings of teachers of RTV (Electronics) works and craftsmen on the embedded system skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliance for self employment by technical college graduates in River State. This implies that the status of the respondents (teachers of RTV (Electronics) works and craftsmen) had no significant influence in their opinions regarding the embedded system skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliance for self employment by technical college graduates in River State. It is necessary to teach embedded system skills as an emerged technological skill in order to improve on digital electronics appliance maintenance skills for self employment by technical college graduates in River State.
Automated System Skills Required for Maintaining Digital Electronics Appliances for Self Employment of Technical College Graduates in River State.
The result of the analyses on research question 3 showed that the enumerated automated system skills are required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. These skills include but not limited to acquisition of effective skill in the use of automatic optical and x-ray inspection tool to detect solder bridges, solder shorts, solder quality, excess solder; identify misaligned component, identify incorrect component value and carry out memory testing. The findings are in line with the findings of Shyr (2012) who noted that graphical monitoring and control techniques, computer control techniques, remote control and monitoring technique and system integration were necessary for a worker to perform well in a specified job.
The corresponding null hypothesis (hypothesis 3) showed that a significant difference does not exist between the mean ratings of teachers of RTV (Electronics) works and craftsmen on the automated system skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. This invariably implied that the status of the respondents had no influence on their opinion regarding automated system skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State.
Safety Skills Required for Maintaining Digital Electronics Appliances for Self Employment of Technical College Graduates in River State.
The result of the analysis of research question four revealed that all the safety skills were required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. Some of the items identified include abilities to avoid working with metallic jewelry, use insulated tools, make use of fuses with appropriate power rating, avoid working in water logged area, always apply best appliances storage measures and more. This is in agreement with the findings of Samuel (2009) who stated that safety guidelines were needed to protect electronic workers from potential electric shock and hazards as well as equipment from accidental damage. The author concluded that safety skills covered the ability to check the necessary component before working with them.
The study also tallied with the findings of Bakare and Jika (2010) that carried out a study on effective laboratory safety practical skills required by E/E students for effective functioning in the laboratory of technical colleges in Ekiti State. The study found out that all the safety skills (practical) identified are required by E/E students in technical colleges for effective functioning in the workshop/laboratory. On these notes, safety skills identified are necessary and should be incorporated into the curriculum of E/E at technical college level especially for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State.
The t-test result showed that the null hypothesis was not rejected; denoting that a significant difference does not exist between the mean ratings of teachers of RTV (Electronics) works and craftsmen on the safety skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment by technical college graduates in River State.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, data gathered on emerging technological skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State has given insights on the relevance of technological innovations and corresponding need for skill improvement specifically in integrated circuit, embedded system, automated system and safety skills required for maintenance of digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State.
The findings of the study have provided information on the need for integrated circuit skills for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State. These determined skills could be employed by educational administrators, curriculum planners and teachers for effective programme development and equipment of students for occupations (paid or self employment) on graduation in electrical/electronics and related areas.
The study have provided information on embedded system skills and the need for embedded system which involves a software embedded in computer hardware for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college students in River State. This would enable the teachers appreciate the advent of computer in teaching and its utilization with in maintenance work especially in digital electronics appliances.
It has also provided information on automated system skills required for maintaining digital electronics appliances for self employment of technical college graduates in River State with insights on acquisition of effective skill in the use of automatic optical and x-ray inspection tool to detect solder bridges, solder shorts, solder quality. This would enable and encourage the teaching of skills involved in the use automated tools for effective workout put other than the complementary counterpart.
Furthermore, Safety skills and its relevance for effective productivity especially in electrical/electronics works have been identified and are required for training technical college students for optimum performance. On these bases, the study made it necessary to incorporate the identified skills into the curriculum of technical colleges (RTV trade) for effective teaching and learning which would lead to self employment of technical college students on graduation in River State.
Recommendations
In view of the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:
- Emerging technological skills for maintaining digital electronics appliances curriculum should adopt a functional approach to meet contemporary needs of the
- The Government at all level should endeavor to provide the necessary tools/machines required for effective workshop practices by technical college
- Technical college teachers should be trained and retrained on the adoption and utilization of identified technological tools/skills for effective teaching and learning.
- Automated system skills identified for maintaining digital electronics appliances should be made mandatory for teachers and students its effective
- Integrated circuit skills programme development should be detailed as to analyze methods of chip incoporation for proper
- Embedded system skills identified should be integrated into RTV (electronics) works curriculum as a measure to improve the utilization of computer and its software in the maintenance of digital electronics
- Safety skills should incoporated for safety of the personnel and appliance under
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