DIGITAL OFFICE COMPETENCIES AND EFFECTIVE TEACHING BY BUSINESS EDUCATORS IN BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN BAYELSA STATE

This study examined the relationship between digital office competencies and effective teaching by Business educators in Business Education programmes in tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State. The study investigated the relationship between word processing competency, presentation competency, and Learning Management System (LMS) competency and effective teaching in Business Education programmes. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 128 Business educators drawn from three tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State, namely Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education (32), Nigeria Delta University (7) and Federal University, Otueke (12). A census sampling technique was used because the entire population was manageable. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire titled “Digital Office Competencies Required by Business Educators for Effective Teaching in Business Education Programme Questionnaire (DOVRBEETBEPQ).” The instrument was validated by experts, while the reliability test using Cronbach Alpha yielded an overall coefficient value of 0.78. Out of 49 copies of the questionnaire distributed, 40 were successfully retrieved and analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC). The findings revealed that there was a strong positive and significant relationship between word processing competency and effective teaching. The study also found a moderate positive and significant relationship between presentation competency and effective teaching. In addition, a strong positive and significant relationship existed between Learning Management System competency and effective teaching. The study concluded that digital office competencies significantly enhance effective teaching in Business Education programmes in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Business Education lecturers should undergo regular digital skills training, tertiary institutions should organize workshops on presentation technologies, and adequate ICT facilities and LMS training should be provided to support effective teaching and learning in tertiary institutions.