Role of Emerging Technology on Academic Achievement of Students at The University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to find out how emerging technologies influence academic achievement of students at the University of Cape Coast. The study employed ex post facto research design utilizing quantitative approach for data collection. Findings from the data analyzed showed that emerging technologies are available for use in the various departments of the University. For instance, mobile phones (93.8%), internet (88.8%), laptops/desktops (86.8%), projectors (82.1%), electronic books (68.1%), Tablets (62.2%) and online courses (50.4%) were available and accessible to more than half of the respondents. It was also found that mobile phones, laptops/desktops, Intelligent Personal Assistants (IPAs), projectors, e-books, internet, and e-learning lab equipment were evenly distributed across the departments while the rests were not evenly distributed as there were statistically significant differences among their availability across the various departments. In addition, the study found that there is negative relationship on the extent to which respondents use emerging technologies and their academic performance. However, the use of the internet recorded a statistically significant relationship with p-value of 0.040. The study recommends that students must make a conscious effort to use the emerging technologies available in the university in order to be successful in their academic pursuits.