ABSTRACT
Businesseducationisacomprehensive discipline whose instructional programme encompasses the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed by all persons in order to effectively manage their personal business and economic systemandalsotheskillsneededforentryintoemploymentandadvancementinabroadrange of career. In order to achieve this objective, the use of technology becomes very important as a means of learning and teaching. This studyassessed theavailabilityandutilizationofe-learningtechnologiesinbusinesseducation programme in University of Benin. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was the theoretical framework on which this study was anchored.
Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study as the population comprised students of the Department of Business Education, University of Benin.Randomsamplingtechniquewasusedtoselect one hundred and ten (110)businesseducation students. A structured questionnaire was used to gatherdataforthestudyusingafour-pointratingscale. Simple percentage was used to analyze the data derived to answer the research questions. Although fundamental e-learning resources, including internet connectivity, computers, and multimedia projectors, were often accessible, the study indicated disparities in availability and performance at the department.
Students indicated encountering inconsistent internet access, inadequate computer resources, and insufficient technical assistance, impeding their complete engagement in online learning activities. Moreover, the cost of technology and internet connection presents a substantial issue, as certain students face difficulties in obtaining the requisite gadgets and data plans. These infrastructural and economic obstacles generate disparities in access and provide considerable impediments to the extensive implementation of e-learning.
It was therefore recommended among others that lecturers should be encouraged to utilize fully, the available e-learning resources in teaching allbusinesseducationcourse.Investing in resilient internet infrastructure, mitigating usability obstacles, creating superior online resources, offering extensive training for lecturers and students, and instituting a specialized e-learning support unit were also emphasized. By putting all these in place, the University of Benin and the Department of Business Education in specific can establish a more engaging, and effective educational environment that equips students for success in the digital era.
