Impact of Instructional Technology on Students’ Academic Performance in Nigerian Secondary Schools

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of instructional technology on students' academic performance in Nigerian secondary schools. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised teachers and students in selected secondary schools, while a sample was selected using an appropriate sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Impact of Instructional Technology on Students' Academic Performance Questionnaire (ITSAPQ). The instrument was validated by experts in Educational Technology and Measurement and Evaluation, and its reliability was established through a pilot test. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while the independent samples t-test was used to test the hypothesis at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that instructional technology had a positive impact on students' academic performance. The study showed that the use of instructional technologies enhanced students' understanding of lessons, increased classroom participation, improved learning experiences, and contributed to better academic achievement. The findings further indicated that inadequate facilities, poor electricity supply, limited internet access, insufficient funding, and lack of teacher training were major challenges affecting the effective utilization of instructional technology in secondary schools. The study concluded that effective integration of instructional technology improved teaching and learning outcomes in Nigerian secondary schools. It was recommended that governments and school authorities should provide adequate technological facilities, train teachers on technology integration, and create supportive environments for effective utilization of instructional technology.