Assessing technology-based learning: a case of “Opon-Imo” use for agricultural subjects in senior secondary schools of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract The study assessed using an e-learning device, ‘Opon-Imo’ for agricultural subjects among secondary school students and teachers in Osun State, Nigeria. It determined the teachers’ and students’ extent of use of ‘Opon-Imo’ for agricultural subjects, ascertained their perception towards its value as a learning/teaching aid, and the challenges faced with its use. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select 150 students and corresponding 12 teachers instructing them on the agricultural subject(s) to give a total of 162 respondents sampled. Data were collected with a validated questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that students occasionally used ‘Opon-Imo’ as reference material to seek answers to assignments (x̄= 3.1 ± 0.9) just as the teachers often utilised the modules as a reference point while explaining class notes to the students (x̄= 3.5 ± 0.8). (Most (58%) of the students were indifferent about the values of ‘Opon-Imo’ as a learning aid for agricultural subjects, whereas most of the teachers (58.3%) had a favourable disposition towards it for their teaching activities. As a challenge, teachers noted students’ misuse of the device for entertainment purposes instead of use as a learning aid (x̄= 3.16). It was concluded that teachers validly used ‘Opon-Imo’ to a greater extent for agricultural educational purposes and were more positively inclined to its educative usefulness than the students. As such, effective measures have to be developed to make the students aware of the value of this learning aid for their career in agriculture.