The role of Information and Communication Technology in the

teaching and learning of Word Processing Skills:

Word processing is a word – saving system of recording, storing and

retrieving typewritten data, utilizing correctable magnetic type or other storage
facility often with visual presentation on a screen (Eunice, 2004). Eunice
(2004), citing Azuka (1999), also asserts that word processing refers to the use
of computers to handle text and produce typed and/or printed documents. He
further said that word processing consists of processes, which processes through
drafting, laying out, correcting, storing, retrieving communicating information
and printing of documents. Igbinoba (2000) and Nwosu (2001), are of the view
that word processing is one of the basic skills required by secretaries in
technological environment as executives often rely on secretaries to provide
comprehensive, accurate and up to date information promptly to enable them
arrive at quality management decisions. Supporting this view, Chukwumezie
(2001), adds that the secretary needs this skills so as to be able to find, select
and write simple programs, and type, modify, rearrange, print and even ease and
proficiency. Nwogwugwu (2000), observed many benefits accruable from
acquisition of word processing skills and competence. These include;
Reducing the length of time required to do work.
Ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
Eliminate drudgery
Ensure standardization of work
Accelerating the speed and capacity of office work done etc
The role of ICT in teaching and learning word processing skills includes:
Teaching and learning Creation of Document: with the role of ICT in word
processing skills, most of the secretaries have now known how to create mail
able document using the computer. According to French (2006), a document
refers to anything that is produced using word processing programs such
Microsoft word. Document creation is a text entry operation.
According to Oyewole and Obeta (2002), every living being is involved
directly or indirectly in word processing which is the process whereby
documents such as letters, report, memos are produced manually either by hand
(hand writing) or manually operated machines (manual typewriters) and
electronic word processing which is the art of preparing documents with the aid
of an electronic device such as word processor and computers using available
word processing software.
Teaching and learning Editing of Document: Editing involves the process of
effecting correction on already keyed in documents and this may require
addition of text to the document or removal of text from the document. ICT has
made editing to be possible and fast using the computer because many word
processing packages are supported with electronic dictionaries and processing
routines that carryout automatic checking of errors (Oyewole, 2003).
Teaching and learning Formatting of Document: with the role of ICT in
word processing, virtually all secretaries have realized the easiest and fastest
way of displaying their work. Eunice (2004), viewed formatting of documents
to be the means of rearranging the layout for final printout. He further said that,
formatting function permits choice of styles and pitches, automatic page
numbering, margin justification, line spacing, italicizing, underscore, bold to
mention but a few.
Teaching and learning Saving of document: this is the process of filing using
computers. According to Kolawole (2000), saving to a secretary is the act of
keeping valuable document to aid other needed facts for future use or in a case
where the needs of such document arise. Before now, the traditional way of
saving documents is by filling and keeping them in the file cabinet but with the
introduction of ICT, documents are now saved electronically using computer.
Teaching and learning Printing of Document: according to Levin (2000), the
final phase of word processing involves savings and ultimately printing your
work. Printing is the act of issuing a command to the word processor coupled
with a printer to produce a hard copy of the processed data for organizational
use. ICT has made it possible for documents to be produce in hard copy with a
simple touch on the keyboard. Idoko and Zubairu (2002), viewed word
processing as the corner stone of office automation.

The Role of ICT in The Teaching And Learning Of Internet Skills

The internet is the greatest developmental endeavour in the last
millennium. According to Ohakwe (2004), he described the internet as the
major breakthrough in technology, a revolution, and the wonders of the
millennium and indeed the most flexible medium of communication currently
available in this technological era.
The internet is the greatest development which has affected all human
endeavour in the last millennium. The internet is an international network of
computers, the world largest communication network which links hundreds of
nation, thousands of companies and over fifty millions of computers all over the
world (Chukwudebe, 2000). The internet has become the largest and most
important network today and has evolved into global information super
highway. Umaru (2006), described internet as a vast information super highway
that facilitates computer users both nationally and internationally to
communicate directly as if they were part of a giant global computing machines.
Ayeni (2005), observed that ICT has reduced the world to a global village
turning all parts of the world to everybody’s neighbourhood.
Some of the roles of ICT in the teaching and learning of internet skills
includes.
Acquisition of new ideas: Ajoma (2009), observed that with the help of ICT,
some ideas and skills adopted in developed countries like America and united
kingdom can now be real and learned through internet and satellite and be
applied in Nigeria. Educators and students now update their knowledge and
methodology through ICT. They can now shift from their old and cultural
methods of impacting knowledge to more scientific and new methods. There is
hope that business education through ICT would provide skilled workers,
current skills and knowledge to meet the needs of new industries, productions
pattern and teaching and learning methods.
ICT helps in training students in distance areas: ICT helps in the training of
students in distance area through the use of internet, satellite dish, radio,
television and many others. ICT is seen here as an instrument of localization,
where teachers now teach with out real contact with the learners and learners
now learn in their houses or work places. Through ICT, the menace of space,
time and distance has been broken. With this, business education (secretarial
skills) can be taught and learned through distance learning programmes to help
participants update their educational qualifications (Aboho, Andural and Aboho,
2006).
Provide teachers with current teaching aids: it provides teachers with current
teaching aids used in teaching and learning process. Okoro (1993),
recommended any equipment used for instruction and learning secretarial skills
must as much as possible, be a replication of actual equipment used in industry.
Such equipment include; computers, multimedia, internets, video conferencing
systems e.t.c
ICT aids teaching large number: information and communication technology
also helps in controlling problems arising from enrolment of more students into
office technology and management department. According to Ajoma (2009), he
viewed that, with the increase in enrolment of more students into the department
of office technology and management (OTM), teachers have problems in
teaching these students with very limited equipments and traditional method of
teaching. However, ICT has orientated teachers to use audio and video
equipments to teach a very large number of students at a time.
Changing the methodology of teaching and learning: ICT has changed the
methodology of teaching and learning of secretarial skills in schools. Teaching
and learning has been changed from traditional chalkboard to electronic
learning requiring ICT skills for teachers. Nyahute (2006), observes that
teachers can now talk less, do less and achieve more. He also added that
teaching and learning have shifted from teachers centered to material centered,
where the teachers only guides students to use the available materials to achieve
learning objectives.