1. IFEOMA HELEN AYENI BABCOCK UNIVERSITY NIGERIA
Influence of Students Industrial Training on Academic Performance of Mass Communication Students of Babcock University Ogun State Nigeria
IFEOMA HELEN AYENI
BABCOCK UNIVERSITY NIGERIA

2. CONTENTS
Introduction
Method
Results
Conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION
What we know today as industrial training originated as apprenticeship in the 18th century (Sides & Mrvica, 2007).
However, Modern internship can be traced back to 1906 when the university
of Cincinnati in United states began its internship program (Weible,2010).
Herman Schnider an engineering Prof. pioneered internship in the USA with 27
electrical engineering students (Driscole, 2006).
One can say that, internship began with Jesus and his twelve disciples (Luke 5:11)
Those who participated actively performed excellently well than those who did not.
For instance peter baptized 3,000 souls in a day (Acts 2: 41) and Judas, hanged himself.
This confirms the study of English and Koeppen (1993) that internship students perform better than non- internship students.

4. WHY INTERNSHIP
Internship offers “win-win opportunities” for all those involved (Divine et al )
For instance, the student come face to face with reality, something that cannot be replicated in the four walls of the classroom. The university and the employers also benefit.
Given the importance of internship, academic institutions especially tertiary institutions in Nigeria and other parts of the world incorporated internship as part of their curriculum because internship or on- the job training bridges the gap between theory and practice.
In line with this, Nigerian undergraduate journalist do go for industrial training but the problem is many still argue that the Nigerian undergraduate journalists are not fully prepared academically and lacked adequate practical training to manage media roles.
This study explored the influence of student industrial training on academic performance of Mass Communication students of Babcock University in Nigeria.

5. Theoretical Framework
This study is anchored on experiential learning theory and Social learning theory of the press.
Social learning theory recognizes that much of human training takes place through watching other people’s mode of behavior according to Anaeto, Onabajo and Osifeso (2008).
In order for observational learning to be successful, the interns must be motivated to imitate the behavior that has been modeled.
On the other hand, Experiential learning insists that learning is more intense and easily if the participants or learners are directly involved and that knowledge is gained from direct experience.
AACSB Memorandum, cited by Carter et al. (1986) gives a better explanation which states that “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.” By implication experiential learning is learning by doing and industrial training is also learning by doing.
Student understand the theories and principles better through experience and practise.

6. Test of Hypotheses
H0 1: Industrial training does not significantly influence student’s academic performance in Mass Communication Department, Babcock University.
H0 2: There is a significant relationship between industrial training and student’s academic performance in Mass Communication in Babcock University
The pre-set level of significance for this study is 0.05.
The Null hypothesis assumes that no influence exists between industrial training and academic performance.
On the other hand, the alternative hypothesis assumes that a significant influence exists between the variables under consideration

7. METHOD
A survey was conducted among 154 students of Mass communication in Babcock university last year.
The total population of Mass communication students in Babcock university as at the time of this research was 685 students, but my interest was on 400 level students who had participated in internship bearing in that Mass Communication students in Babcock University go for industrial training at the end of their third year.
A self administered survey was distributed among 154 students in a combined class of all 400 level students, ages between years. Male=32, female= 68
The analysis of the result was based on the 100 copies retrieved.

8. RESULTS
The results indicates that Mass Communication students of Babcock university have a high positive perception towards industrial training.
On whether industrial training influences academic performance, 68% agree industrial training improves academic performance. 42% believes industrial training could not improve academic performance.

9. MODEL
Linear Regression Analysis Showing the Influence of Industrial Training on Students’ Academic Performance
Model
Unstandardized Coefficients
Standardized Coefficients t
Sig. B
Std. Error
Beta 1
(Constant)
7.593
2.837
2.676
0.009
Industrial Training Scale
0.735
0.146
0.454
5.041
0.000
Dependent Variable: Academic Performance Scale
Adjusted R2 = 0.198

10. The model stipulates that industrial training significantly influences students’ academic performance (p<0.05).
Furthermore, the model shows a positive correlation and slope (β=0.454, B= 0.735) which suggests that an increase in industrial training will lead to a proportional increase in students’ academic performance.
The implication of this is that Mass Communication students’ academic performance can be increased through industrial training. Industrial training if it has increased duration will lead to increased academic benefits for the students.
Finally, the model could only predict 19.8% of variation of influence in students’ academic performance which suggests that there are other factors that might influence students’ academic performance which have not been considered in the context of this study.

11. CONCLUSION
Given the findings of the study, industrial training cannot be separated from professional career programs like mass communication as it is a necessary prerequisite for relating class room theories to media house practice.
Again, to achieve excellent performance in the media profession internship should be a compulsory program in tertiary institutions who train mass communication students.
It is based on this conclusion that the following recommendations are made that:
Effective monitoring should be placed on students industrial training to ensure that they are actually taking part in the field learning process;
Institutions should partner with organizations so that they can use their relationship to secure job for students who perform well in the universities;
Adequate time should be allotted for industrial training at least the program should last between six to eight months;
Media organizations should be encouraged to pay their industrial training students. This will serve as a source of motivation;
Organizations should also effectively utilize industrial training students so that they can learn on the job.

12. THANK YOU

13. References