Ict integration in higher education and the professionalisation of university studies: case study, the geography department, university of yaounnde i.

Abstract

The issue of professionalisation of education has become a major concern at all levels of Education. The introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education is seen as a major step towards professionalisation of university studies though it does not go without challenges. The present study seeks to investigate the effects of Information And Communication Technologies (ICT) integration in higher education on the professionalisation of university studies, with evidence from the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. To achieve this, the study adopts a quantitative research approach based on the descriptive survey design. A closedended questionnaire constructed based on the Likert scale was used to collect data from the field. A sample size of 276 participants was purposefully selected for the study with the help of the Supervisor. Validity of the instrument was ensured through the face and content validity, while the reliability of the instrument was tested through a pilot study and analysed using the Alpha Cronbach. Three major theories were convoked to explain the studied phenomenon; the actornetwork theory, the social capital theory and the technology acceptance model. The data collected was analysed using the statistical data analysis techniques, precisely descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (Simple linear regression analysis). The statistical package for social science (SPSS, 27) was used as a data analysis tool. The following results were obtained: In hypothesis one, the findings revealed that Information And Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructural dispositions exert a positive and influence on the professionalisation of university studies. In hypothesis two, it was found that the provision of digital resources is a positive and strong predictor of the professionalisation of university studies. In the third hypothesis, the findings revealed that the availability of trained lecturers has a statistically significant influence on the professionalisation of university studies, and in the fourth hypothesis, it was found that Information And Communication Technologies (ICT) access exerts a positive influence on the professionalisation of university studies in the University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. Based on the above results, it is suggested that, policy makers and University authorities should upgrade the state of digital infrastructure, provide digital resources like smart boards and white boards, offer in-service training to lecturers on digital literacy through workshops and seminars and bridge the digital divide by widening access to technology through free wireless networks, quality internet connectivity, constant electrification of the university campuses, etc