Issues Affecting The Application Of Information And Communication Technology (Ict) In Instructional Delivery In Universities In Rivers State, Nigeria

Purpose: The study was conducted to ascertain the issues affecting the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in instructional delivery in universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 48 educational technology lecturers from three universities in Rivers State. No sampling was done because the population was small and of manageable size. Two research questions guided the study. The instrument used for data collection from respondents was a 20-item self-structured questionnaire designed by the researcher and titled "Information and Communication Technology Issues in Universities Questionnaire (ICTIUQ)". The ICTIUQ was constructed on a 5-point Likert scale. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach's Alpha Method which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.83. Mean and standard deviation were descriptive statistical tools used to answer the research questions. Results: The findings of the study revealed among others that poor supply of ICT infrastructure, inadequate trained ICT lecturers and poor funding are some of the critical issues affecting the use of ICT in instructional delivery in Universities in Rivers State. Unique contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study contributed to the theory of technology acceptance model. Hence, it was recommended among others that Government should engage more ICT- trained lecturers, provide more funds and supply more information and communication technology facilities in Universities in Rivers State, Nigeria to aid computer assisted instruction.