Information and digital literacy and technology appropriation in electronic media

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of information and digital literacy skills on technology appropriation in electronic media houses in Oyo State. The survey research design of the correlational type was adopted while questionnaire was used as the major instrument for collecting data for the study. Only electronic media houses, both private and public, located in Ibadan were included in the study. A total of 133 copies of the questionnaire were administered on media professionals and practitioners otherwise called ‘technology appropriators’ spread across the 25 electronic media houses in Ibadan, Oyo State. The theoretical underpinnings for the study revolved around three basic human-technology relations which are User acceptance theory, Appropriation models in Information system, and Mediation theory. Findings from the study revealed high levels of information and digital literacy skills possession among technology appropriators in electronic media houses in Oyo State while positive relationship were established between information literacy skills and technology appropriation, as well as between digital literacy skill and technology appropriation. However, digital literacy skill was found to be the major determinants of technology appropriation just as it is the only factor that has significant contributions to technology appropriation by technology appropriators. The study recommended the development of information and digital literacy skills of technology appropriators through training and retraining and investment in technologies, as well as related infrastructure by electronic media houses to enable their employees, especially technology appropriators in their media houses, keep abreast of current trends in technologies evolution and development as well as ways of appropriation.