Computer-related skills needed and possessed by agricultural science teachers for teaching in secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study assessed the computer-related skills needed and possessed by Agricultural Science teachers for effective teaching in secondary schools in Rivers State. Three specific objectives, research questions, and hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 468 Agricultural Science teachers in public secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of Rivers State. A sample of 234 teachers, representing 50% of the population, was drawn using a stratified random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Computer-Related Skills Needed and Possessed by Agricultural Science Teachers Questionnaire (CRSNPASTQ),” which contained 20 items covering computer operation, internet utilization, and software presentation skills. The instrument was validated by three experts in the Department of Agricultural Education and Measurement and Evaluation, and its reliability coefficient of 0.86 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions, while a z-test was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that Agricultural Science teachers to a high extent needed computer operation, internet utilization, and software presentation skills for effective teaching. The study also found no significant difference in the mean responses of male and female teachers across all variables. It was recommended that regular ICT training, workshops, and conferences should be organized for Agricultural Science teachers to sustain and improve their computer-related competencies for effective instructional delivery.