Constraints and Enhancement Measures in the use of Social Media Platforms in Teaching and Learning of Agricultural Education in Tertiary Institutions in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the constraints and enhancement measures in the use of social media
platforms in teaching and learning of agricultural education in tertiary institutions in Enugu
State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two specific purposes and two research questions. A
descriptive survey research design was used and it was conducted in Government owned
tertiary institutions in Enugu state that offer Agricultural Education programme. A total
population of 212 which comprised of lecturers and students teaching and learning
Agricultural Education in the three tertiary institutions were studied. The instrument for data
collection was questionnaire and it was face validated by three experts. Data collection was
carried out by the researchers. Mean, standard deviation and t-test statistic were used to
analyze the data collected. The findings revealed the following constraints in the use of social
media platforms in teaching and learning agricultural education to include inadequate
computer facilities in the classrooms and laboratories, irregular power supply, high cost of
resources to design and develop social media package among others. The study also identified
the following enhancement measures in the use of social media in teaching and learning of
agricultural education to include training and retraining of agricultural lecturers and
instructors on ICT and social media skills, employment of technical staff, provision of standby
generators among others. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the use of social media
platforms in teaching and learning agricultural education in tertiary institutions is
characterized with lot of constraints which hinders its effectiveness, but these challenges can
be overcome by adopting good enhancement measures identified in this study. The study
recommended that Nigeria government through the Minister for Digital Economy should
provide adequate ICT and social media equipment to schools, strong internet connectivity
among others