INFLUENCE OF FAMILY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED FACTORS ON THE ACADEMIC INTEREST OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN CALABAR EDUCATION ZONE OF CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the influence of family and technology-related factors on the academic interest of Senior Secondary School Students in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria. To achieve this purpose, two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. A correlation survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised all the 2,735 Senior Secondary School Two (SSS2) students in the zone. The sample of the study was 213 respondents which was determined using Taro Yamane sampling method. The research instrument used for data collection was a researcher-developed questionnaire of Senior Secondary Students Academic Interest Questionnaires (SSSAIQ) which was face validated by experts in Educational Test and Measurements department of the university of Calabar, Calabar. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to test the reliability coefficient and 0.88 and 0.94 were obtained. The findings of the study based on the research questions formulated was that, there exists a strong impact of family influence on students’ academic interest. Also, that digital resources like educational apps, positively impacted students’ interest, and excessive social media which involves the use of technology negatively affected academic motivation. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that the management of schools should implement program aimed at educating parents about their roles in supporting their children’s education in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State, Nigeria