MODELLING SKILLS REQUIRED FOR SELF-RELIANT OF BUILDING TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS IN POLYTECHNICS IN RIVERS STATE

The study rapt on modelling skills required for self-reliant of building technology students in Polytechnics in Rivers State. The study had three objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses. The study adopts survey design. The population for the study was 76 respondents, comprising 47 Building Technology Lecturers and 29 Instructors in the two Polytechnics in Rivers State. The study was a census. The instrument for data collection was validated by three experts. The internal consistency of the instrument was determined by using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient method and the instrument has an overall internal consistency of 0.82. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Seventy six (76) copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents in the two Polytechnics in Rivers State with the help of a research assistant. The data gathered for the study was analysed using mean values to answer the research questions on a 5-point Likert scale. In testing the hypotheses, the t-cal value was compared with the t- critical at .05 level of significance. The study found out that the Building Technology Lecturers and Instructors agreed that structural modelling skills, architectural modelling skills and construction modelling skills are required for self-reliant of building technology students in Polytechnics in Rivers State. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that the On-the-job training for lecturers in form of workshops should be organized on how to use Structural Modelling skills for better teaching of building technology to the students, There should be adequate provisions of facilities, tools and equipment, which are necessary for teaching concept and skills in architectural modelling effectively and Construction modelling learning technique should be encouraged by the building technology lecturers as it has the capacity to improve students’ achievement in building technology.