Development of a new ergonomics-based technology education curriculum for Nigerian universities: needs analysis

Abstract

Abstract In this study, a needs analysis was conducted to identify the ergonomics awareness among technology education lecturers in Nigerian universities. In addition, the study was also designed to determine the gap in the existing technology curriculum with regard to ergonomic integration across the technology programs in Nigerian universities. Also, to determine the perception of lecturers toward the introduction of ergonomics-based technology education. Participants were 119 lecturers of technology education from selected Nigerian universities. Data were collected using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviation were used to describe the empirical data. The main result indicated a low level of ergonomics awareness among technology education lecturers in Nigerian universities. Also, with regards to the need of a new curriculum of ergonomics-based technology education, the study revealed that most respondents concur that a curriculum is needed. In fact, the majority of the lecturers perceived the incorporation of ergonomics-based technology education into technology education of the Nigerian universities as a milestone.