The state of facilities in office technology and management department and its effects on office technology and management graduates

Project Abstract

The Office Technology and Management (OTM) department plays a crucial role in preparing graduates for successful careers in administrative support roles. However, the state of facilities within this department can significantly impact the quality of education and training that students receive. This study aims to assess the current state of facilities in OTM departments across various educational institutions and explore the effects of these facilities on the learning outcomes and career readiness of OTM graduates. The research methodology involves a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, and observational studies to gather comprehensive data on the facilities available within OTM departments. The surveys will capture the perceptions of students and faculty regarding the adequacy and functionality of facilities such as computer labs, office simulation rooms, and other technology resources. Interviews with department heads and industry professionals will provide additional insights into the importance of facilities in preparing students for the demands of the modern workplace. The findings of this study are expected to reveal the extent to which the state of facilities in OTM departments influences the learning experiences and skill development of students. Inadequate facilities, such as outdated technology, limited access to software applications, and insufficient space for hands-on training, may hinder students' ability to acquire the necessary technical and practical skills needed in office technology and management roles. On the other hand, well-equipped facilities that mirror real-world office environments can enhance students' learning experiences and better prepare them for the workforce. The implications of this research are significant for educational institutions, policymakers, and industry stakeholders involved in the training and hiring of OTM graduates. By understanding the relationship between facilities and student outcomes, institutions can make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and infrastructure improvements within OTM departments. Ultimately, enhancing the state of facilities in OTM departments can lead to better educational outcomes, increased graduate employability, and a more skilled workforce in the field of office technology and management.

Project Overview

<p> </p><div><p>INTRODUCTION<br>1.1 &nbsp; &nbsp; BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY</p><p>Office Technology and Management is a nomenclature that has replaced Secretarial Studies Programme in Nigerian Polytechnics as introduced by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2004. This was as a result of an extensive review of Secretarial Studies Curriculum in order to make its recipients to be ICT-compliant and fit appropriately in the world of work, most especially, in modern offices that are characterized by various types of state of the art communication and technology. Polytechnic education in Nigeria is recognized as part of tertiary education whose aim is to provide middle-level manpower to man the various sectors of Nigerian economy (Ikelegbe and Odede, 2012).</p><p>According to the National Policy on Education (FRN, 2004), Polytechnics in Nigeria shall maintain a two-tier programme of studies; namely, the National Diploma (ND) and the Higher National Diploma (HND) with one-year period of industrial experience serving as one of the pre-requisites for entry into the HND programme.</p><p>Office Technology and Management programme is designed to equip students with the competencies required to work in a modern office environment. The broad objectives of OTM programme, according to NBTE (2004), are:</p><ol><li>Acquisition of Secretarial skills.</li><li>Acquisition by ability to write shorthand for three minutes in varied materials at 1.3 syllabic intensity dictated at 80 Words Per Minute (WPM) and 1.4 syllabic intensity of 100 wpm and transcribe on the computer with a minimum of 95% accuracy for both ND and HND respectively.</li><li>Typing effectively various office jobs and acquiring a copying rate of 40wpm and 50wpm for ND and HND respectively on passages not below 1.3 syllabic intensity with 98% accuracy.</li><li>Acquisition of general education.</li><li>Laying the foundation for advanced studies.</li></ol><p>The efforts towards the use of ICT in the training of office managers and its use in teaching office technologists/secretaries has met several challenges as pointed out by Udoye and Ikenga (2010). These include:</p><p>Inadequate ICT infrastructure such as computer hardware and software; resistance to change from traditional pedagogical methods of teaching secretarial education/office management to more innovative and technology-based teaching and learning method; lack of skilled manpower to manage available systems; inadequate facilities for office managers/educators at the tertiary institutions and incessant electricity distribution. This study is there set to find if these challenging situations still exist or there has been improvement.</p><p>1.2 &nbsp; &nbsp; STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM</p><p>The unavailability and inadequacy of facilities for OTM programme have generated serious concerns recently. The OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic faces the problem of inadequate facilities and this has hampered the acquisition of knowledge and skills expected to prepare the learners for the world of work. Learning practical work would be meaningless without the use of teaching resources and students would grope in darkness for long before they could get a grasp of what the teacher is teaching (Azih, 2008). Office Technology and Management programme curriculum that appears to be a response to a global initiative with an objective that portends new academic direction in favour of ICT requires adequate provision of modern facilities for effective teaching and learning. Unfortunately, there seems to be inadequacy of these resources with the attendant negative consequences.</p><p>Office technology and management program in our polytechnics is in a poor state. Due to the poor state of our economy, the program lacks the required materials and equipment for effective academic instructions. Most of the typing pools of these instructions still maintain the old out-dated typewriters, sometimes even those that are available are in a very poor condition as they do not function well.</p><p>1.3 &nbsp; &nbsp; PURPOSE OF THE STUDY</p><p>The major purpose of this study was to assess the state of ICT facilities in the department of OTM and its effect on OTM graduates. Specifically, the study intend:</p><ol><li>To examine the state of the computer laboratory available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori.</li><li>Identify the state of the typing pool available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori.</li><li>To identify the state of the shorthand laboratory available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori.</li><li>To know the state of the office practices laboratory available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori.</li><li>To determine the state of the classroom available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori.</li></ol><p>1.4 &nbsp; &nbsp; SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY</p><p>This research work just like every study is significance to the extent that it will enable the department of office technology and management to look into the poor facilities in the department and help office technology and management student likewise the lectures to be conversant with the relevant facilities.</p><p>From this study, office technology and management student will know about some of the facilities commonly used in offices and make efforts to purchase them. It will also strengthen the link existing between the employer of labour and OTM student if these facilities are adequately provided.</p><p>Lastly, if these instructional facilities are adequate it will be a pre-requisite for the award of National Diploma (ND) and the Higher National Diploma (HND).</p><p>1.5 &nbsp; &nbsp; RESEARCH QUESTIONS</p><p>The following research questions guided the study:</p><ol><li>How is the state of the computer laboratory available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori?</li><li>How is the state of the typing pool available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori?</li><li>How is the state of the shorthand laboratory available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori?</li><li>To what extent is the state of the office practices laboratory available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori?</li><li>To what extent is the state of the classroom available for OTM programme in Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic Bori?</li></ol><p>1.7 &nbsp; &nbsp; SCOPE OF THE STUDY</p><p>The scope of this research work is limited to discussing the state of facilities available in OTM department and its effects on OTM graduates. It will be carried out in the department of office technology and management of the Ken Saro-Wiwa polytechnic Bori.</p><p></p></div><h3></h3><br> <br><p></p>