Perceived Factors Affecting Practical Skill Acquisition amongst Mechanical Technology Education Undergraduates in Tertiary Institutions in Rivers State

Abstract

The study focused on the perceived factors affecting practical skill acquisition amongst mechanical technology education undergraduates in tertiary institutions in Rivers State., It investigated available facilities for the implementation of practical skills lessons, factors affecting the effective delivery of mechanical technology education skills and practical lessons and strategies for improving the delivery of mechanical technology education skills practical lessons in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. Three research questions and hypotheses were answered and tested at 0.05 level of significance. A descriptive survey design guided the study. The population of the study comprised 41 mechanical technology education lecturers and 47 years three mechanical technology education students in three tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The population was manageable, therefore, the entire population were sampled.  A self-made survey questionnaire served as the instrument for the study. The instrument was validated by two experts. Reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient which yielded a coefficient of 74. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while z-test statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses. The study found, among others that machine tools, oxy-acetylene, welding machines, drilling machines, etc. are some of the available facilities for the delivery of practical skill lessons, more so that some of the factors affecting practical skill delivery include, lack of practical materials, lack of practical skills of lecturers, brain drain, unstable electricity, finally, it find out that the strategies for improving practical skills delivery include, on the job training lecturers on machine operation, training them on hands-on experience. It was recommended among others that the Nigerian and Rivers State governments should ensure that practical materials are always available, and lecturers are given steady on-the-job training for the effective skill delivery of lecturers to undergraduates in mechanical technology education in tertiary institutions in Rivers State.