Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Usage and Its Impact on Educational Administrative Effectiveness in Public Secondary Schools
CHAPTER ONE
Purpose of the Study
The main objective of this study is to examine the information and communication technology (ICT) usage and its impact on educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State. Other specific objectives are to:
- Determine the extent Information And Communication Technology (ICT) is integrated in educational administration process of Public Secondary Schools In Lagos State.
- Evaluate the influence of ICT usage on the enhancement of educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State.
- Identify the factors affecting the usage of Information And Communication Technology (ICT) for education administration purposes among public secondary schools in Lagos State.
- Proffer practical recommendations to enhance the use of ICT for educational administration among public secondary schools in Lagos State.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Our focus in this chapter is to critically examine relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and furthermore recognize the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps.
Precisely, the chapter will be considered in three sub-headings:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework and
- Empirical Review
- Appraisal of Literature Review
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Concept of Administration
Simply defined, administration is the organization and direction of persons in order to accomplish a specified end. Administration must exist in any organization set up for a defined purpose or objective. Each organization consists of human beings and material resources all in a quest to attain the objective for which the organization is established (Adebayo, 2021). Each head of an organization has under him/her the hierarchy of subordinates, each with functions and responsibilities of the objective of the organization. This process requires planning, organization, command, co-ordination and control. All these constitute administration, the administrator’s position within an establishment is therefore strategic and pivotal. Administration is a process of systematically arranging and coordinating the human and material resources available to any organization for the main purpose of achieving stipulated goals of that organization. When applied to the school system, the process is referred to as educational administration or school administration.. Administration occurs in every organization. The basic aim of administration is the need to get things done for defined objectives to be accomplished (Adebayo, 2021). Educational administration is the process of bringing men and materials together for effective and functional teaching and learning in the school. The focus of educational administration is the enhancement of teaching and learning. One can define educational administration as a process through which the school arrange and co-ordinate the resources available to education, for the purpose of achieving the goals of the educational system (Amadi, 2018). Administration can be defined as the process by which goals are achieved through collective and cooperative human effort in a suitable environment. It is the running of educational institutions, which involves guidance, leadership, and controlling of the efforts of individuals in the achievement of the goals of the institution. It involves the management of resources, human and material, as well as evaluation or appraising the result of educational efforts. Administration and management are sometimes used synonymously. Administration is a component part of management. Administration is widely applied in associations and government services and non-profit organizations.
But management encompasses much more than administration – it involves the work of analyzing and preparing complex policy documents for decision by policy decision makers. Management is basically concerned with the formation of plans, programmes and policies while administration is principally responsible for the execution or implementation of these plans, programmes and policies. Administrators are implementators while managers are formulators of programme.
Administration, like management also involves such elements as planning, organizing, programming, staffing, budgeting, coordinating, reporting and evaluating, but on a smaller scale than management. (Amadi, 2018; Adekunle, 2023). Administration is an integral part of an organization. Here, it is characterized as a service, an activity or a tool through which the fundamental objectives of the process may be more fully and efficiently realized. The school is an organization in the organization. For effective school administration, the administrator needs to be knowledgeable in the theories, techniques and principles of school administration as a guide for action when necessary.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
Research Design
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e. mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the usage of information and communication technology (ICT) and educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, the focus was to examine the usage of information and communication technology (ICT) and educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State. The study was specifically aimed to determine the extent Information And Communication Technology (ICT) is integrated in educational administration process of Public Secondary Schools In Lagos State, evaluate the influence of ICT usage on the enhancement of educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State, identify the factors affecting the usage of Information And Communication Technology (ICT) for education administration purposes among public secondary schools in Lagos State, and proffer practical recommendations to enhance the use of ICT for educational administration among public secondary schools in Lagos State.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 259 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are principals and vice principals of selected public secondary schools in Alimosho LGA, Lagos State.
Implication of Findings for Policy
The findings of the study emphasizes the need for policy interventions aimed at prioritizing the improvement of ICT infrastructure in public secondary schools, including the provision of computers, internet connectivity, and relevant software applications. This should involve government investment in infrastructure development projects aimed at ensuring that schools have access to the necessary ICT resources to support administrative functions effectively.
Implication of Findings for Practice
The government should develop a detailed ICT implementation plan outlining specific objectives, timelines, and resource allocation for enhancing ICT infrastructure and capacity within public secondary schools. This plan should prioritize key areas such as infrastructure enhancement, financial support, technical assistance, and capacity building.
Also, allocating sufficient funds and resources to support the implementation of the ICT implementation plan. This should involve reallocating existing budgetary allocations, seeking additional funding from government sources, or exploring public-private partnerships to supplement financial resources.
There should be an implementation of training programs and provide ongoing technical support to school administrators to enhance their ICT literacy and proficiency. These programs should be tailored to the specific needs and skill levels of administrators, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively utilize ICT tools for educational administration.
Contribution to Knowledge
The findings presented shed light on the intricate relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage and educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State. This study contributes to knowledge by elucidating the significant positive impact that ICT integration can have on streamlining administrative processes, enhancing data management, and facilitating informed decision-making within school administrations. Furthermore, it highlights the various barriers hindering widespread ICT adoption, including inadequate infrastructure, funding constraints, technical support gaps, and unreliable electricity supply. By identifying these challenges and emphasizing the potential benefits of ICT usage, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders seeking to improve educational administrative practices and foster technological advancement within the Nigerian education system.
Generalizability of Research Findings
The findings discussed above provide valuable insights into the usage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its impact on educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State. While these findings offer specific observations within this context, their generalizability to other settings warrants careful consideration.
Firstly, the identified low level of ICT integration in educational administration may reflect broader challenges faced by public secondary schools across different regions or countries. Issues such as inadequate infrastructure, funding constraints, and technical support gaps are common barriers to ICT adoption in educational settings globally. Therefore, the findings regarding the low level of ICT integration may be applicable to similar contexts beyond Lagos State.
Moreover, the positive impact of ICT on educational administrative effectiveness resonates with broader trends observed in educational research. Studies conducted in various contexts have consistently highlighted the potential of ICT to streamline administrative processes, improve data management, and facilitate informed decision-making within school administrations. Therefore, the findings regarding the beneficial effects of ICT usage on educational administration are likely to be generalizable to other settings with similar ICT adoption levels.
However, the factors influencing the usage of ICT for educational administration purposes identified in the study may vary in their applicability to different contexts. While challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, funding constraints, and technical support gaps are widespread, their relative significance and the specific manifestations may differ across regions or countries. Therefore, while the identified factors provide valuable insights into the barriers to ICT adoption in public secondary schools in Lagos State, their generalizability to other settings requires consideration of contextual differences.
Furthermore, the generalizability of the findings is contingent upon the similarity of the educational systems, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors across different regions or countries. Variations in educational policies, technological infrastructure, and resource allocation may influence the extent to which the findings can be extrapolated to other contexts. Therefore, researchers should exercise caution when applying the findings to settings with significant contextual differences.
Suggestion for Further Research
Based on the nature and scope of the current study, one suggestion for further research would be to conduct a comparative study across multiple states or regions within Nigeria to explore variations in the usage of ICT and its impact on educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools. This comparative analysis could investigate differences in ICT infrastructure, funding allocation, administrative practices, and socio-economic factors to provide a more nuanced understanding of the contextual factors influencing ICT adoption and its outcomes in educational administration. Such research could offer valuable insights into the regional disparities in ICT integration and inform targeted interventions to address barriers and promote effective ICT usage in educational settings nationwide.
Conclusion
Notably, allthough the usage of ICT holds great promise for enhancing educational administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Lagos State, significant challenges persist in realizing this potential. Addressing barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, funding constraints, technical support gaps, and electricity supply issues is crucial for fostering widespread ICT adoption and maximizing its impact on educational administration. Efforts to overcome these challenges should be prioritized to ensure that public secondary schools in Lagos State can fully harness the transformative power of ICT in improving administrative processes and ultimately enhancing educational outcomes.
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