ABSTRACT
The study determined the role of Fine and Applied Art Education, in fostering Digital Literacy and Visual Communication Skills in the Age of Technology. Four research question were raised to guide this study and one hypothesis was formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The population of this study, consists of fifty-two (52) Fine and Applied Art Education students from 100 to 400 levels in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state. The sample size of this study, was made up of 52 (fifty-two) Fine and Applied Art Education students, in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education in University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state. As a result of the manageable size of the entire population was used as the sample, hence a census. The instrument used for data collection of this study was a self-structured questionnaire titled, “Analyzing the Role of Fine and Applied Art Education, in Fostering Digital Literacy and Visual Communication Skills, in the Age of Technology Questionnaire” (RFAAEFDLVCSQ). The questionnaire was segmented into two sections A and B. Section A measures the demographic variable of the respondent such as gender, level and institution, while Section B, comprised twenty (20) item statements which were drawn from the research questions. The instrument for data collection was face validity by the researcher supervisor, and other experts in Fine and Applied Art Education and the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state. To establish the reliability of the instrument, copies of the instrument were administered to the twenty (20) Fine and applied art undergraduate students from Ambrose Ali University. Who were not part of the study population. Thereafter Cronbach statistical tool was used to ascertain consistency. It yielded an alpha value of 0.79, hence the instrument was considered reliable. The data collected from the respondent, were analysed using mean (𝑥̅), Standard deviation (SD) and two sample independent t-test using statistical package for the social science (SPSS). The findings of the study generally showed that the role of fine and applied art education significantly foster digital literacy and visual communication skills in the age of technology. The findings of the study revealed that in this age of technology, fine and applied art education can influence computer skills, projector skills, visual design skill, typography and photography skills of student to a high extent. There is no significant difference between the role of fine and applied art education in fostering digital literacy and visual communication skills of male and female students in the age of technology. It was concluded that fine and applied art education is an important integral part of general education. Which will improve digital skills use among students in classrooms and art studio, which will prepare them for the world of work. It was recommended among others that, school should be well equipped with adequate computer and other digital facilities, in every classroom and art studio in other to promote effective teaching and learning of digital skills among students.
