IMPACT OF DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ON THE SCHOLASTIC PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS EDUCATION STUDENTS IN NWAFOR ORIZU COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, NSUGBE, ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

This study examined the impact of digital educational resources on the scholastic performance of Business Education students at Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, Anambra State. Four research questions guided the study, and four null hypotheses were tested. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 174 respondents, including 160 Business Education students and 14 lecturers. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire designed on a four-point rating scale and students’ academic performance records. The instrument was validated by two experts in Business Education, while reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding a coefficient of 0.85. Out of 174 questionnaires distributed, 168 were retrieved and used for analysis. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance using SPSS version 23. The findings revealed that digital educational resources such as computer laboratories, multimedia projectors, Google Sheets, Excel, podcasts, WhatsApp, and PowerPoint were available and widely utilized. However, e-books, Google Classroom, and accounting software such as QuickBooks and Sage Accounting were not adequately available. The study also found that the use of digital educational resources significantly improved students’ examination scores, research skills, classroom participation, and independent learning ability. Major challenges identified included inadequate digital literacy, poor power supply, insufficient ICT facilities, and limited internet bandwidth. The study concluded that effective utilization of digital educational resources enhances students’ scholastic performance. It was recommended that the management of Nwafor Orizu College of Education improve the availability of digital tools, strengthen ICT infrastructure, and provide regular digital literacy training.