Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Awareness and Use by Academic Staff of Tertiary institutions in Imo State

Abstract

This work examines the awareness and Use of Information and Communication Techno (ICT) by
academic staff of tertiary institutions in Imo State with a view to ascertaining frequency of use and
specific areas of use, among others. Survey design was adopted using questionnaire to collect data
from 1200 lecturers out of which 1000 (83%) of the lecturers returned their questionnaire. The data
collected reveals that awareness of information communication technology (ICT) amongst academic
staff of tertiary institutions in Imo 5 were high. (100%) in computer, electronic mails (e-mail), browsing and cellular phone (mobile) communication; but low in On-line Public Access Catalog (OPAC); Compact Disc, Read Only Memory (CD-ROM); Tele-facsimile; Micro-form and New Media Resource. Similarly the level of use. i.e. practical applicability was correspondingly high in cell-phone (mobile) communication, e-mail, browsing and Computer application; while relatively I OPAC. CD-ROM. Tele-facsimile, Micro-form and the New Media Resource. Impediments to awareness were identified to include insufficient availability of ICT facilities like Computers, Internet centres. While impediments to use include lack of expertise/training, non-availability, epileptic power supply, and high service charge. The study recommends an ICT friendly and conducive environment as a bed rock for creating awareness and use of ICT by academics in the tertiary institutions.