THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ENHANCING LEARNING, RESEARCH AMONG LECTURERS AND STUDENTS IN COLLEGE OF NURSING IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

This study examines the impact of technology on learning and research in the College of Nursing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital. With the increasing use of mobile devices, particularly smartphones, technology has revolutionized education by providing access to a wide range of digital resources, including e-books, academic journals, and scholarly databases for both students and lecturers. The research engaged 100 respondents comprising students and lecturers from different institutions and utilized a structured questionnaire to collect data on the use of technology in teaching and learning. Findings indicate that technology has significantly enhanced student engagement by promoting flexible and interactive learning environments that improve academic performance and foster peer collaboration. Academic staff have also integrated technology to enrich teaching through multimedia resources, real-time feedback, and interactive assessments. However, challenges such as slow internet connectivity, high data costs, irregular power supply, and limited training in the use of educational software and research tools were identified as barriers to optimal utilization. Despite these constraints, the majority of respondents affirmed that technology plays an indispensable role in modern education and research. The study recommends the enhancement of digital infrastructure, reduction in data costs, and provision of digital literacy training to maximize the benefits of technology in Nigerian higher institutions. Overall, the research underscores the transformative potential of technology in making education and research more accessible, flexible, and interactive.