Virtual Reality (VR) for Instructional Purpose; awareness and interest of Colleges of Education lecturers in Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated lecturer’s awareness and interest in using virtual reality for instructional purposes in colleges of education in Yobe State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used and the target population for the study was all lecturers of Federal College of Education (Tech) Potiskum. The total population was 369 lecturers as at 2021/2022 session. Therefore, 186 lecturers were randomly selected to serve as a sample size in consideration with Krejcie and Morgan table for determining sample size. A structured questionnaire titled (VR awareness questionnaire) was constructed and used for data collection. The questionnaire undergoes rigorous editing by experts by measurement and evaluation, English and educational technology experts. The questionnaire was arranged in conformity with modified Likert scale. The questionnaire was tested and validated using Cronbach’s Alpha correlation co-efficient test and 0.89 was obtained as a reliability co-efficient which indicated that the questions or instrument is valid and reliable. The instrument was administered using Google form. A total of one hundred and eighty-six responds was collected from lecturers and filtered for data analysis. The collected data was transferred to excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25.0) for analysis. Simple percentages were used to describing gender and answer the research questions while independent sample T-test was used in testing the only hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The study reveals that, colleges of education lecturers are aware of virtual reality technology going by 56.2% of the total populations (186). It was also revealed that, college’s lecturers are interested in using virtual reality for instructional purposes by considering 63.0% are interested. Lastly, there is no significance difference between male and female lecturers in the awareness of virtual reality for instructional purposes in colleges of education in Yobe State, Nigeria. Finally, the researcher recommends that, School administrators should provide adequate virtual reality glasses and soft wares to the teachers. School administrators should encourage their staff to use virtual reality in their classes. Seminars workshops and training sessions should be organized for lecturers on the importance of VR in facilitating teaching and learning