Psychological Influence of Digital Technology on Student’s Engagement in Tertiary Institution

Abstract

The world has become closer today than it was a few decades passed, partly and largely because of the increasing digitalization. All aspects of human endeavours are rapidly incorporating digital technologies into their operations. Education is one human endeavour in which the use of digital technologies have become very prominent and obvious. In Nigeria, tertiary institutions of learning appear to have adopted digital technology the most and it provide a credible case for investigating the psychological effective these digital technologies have on student engagement. It is on this premise that this study was conducted. This study was guided by three research questions which specifically sought the impact of digital technology usage on the cognitive, behavioural and social engagement of students in tertiary institutions. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population comprises students of two tertiary institutions in Enugu State (ESUT and Peaceland University) numbering 130. The population was adopted and were purposively selected for the study. A structured questionnaire titled “PEDTSETIQ” designed by the researcher was used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by three experts. It was tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha and an index of 0.82 was obtained. Data collected with the questionnaire were analysed using mean ratings while t-test statistical tool was used for testing hypotheses. The findings indicated among other things that digital technologies – when they are adequately available and properly utilized – have great impact on the cognitive, behavioural and social engagements of students in tertiary institutions of learning. The recommended increased funding for more integration of digital technologies and training of staff personnel that will aid the process.