Author: Kawu Waziri, Bako Idris, and Ayuba Modu Yami

Abstract: The study examined the relationship between students’ anxiety and acquisition of information and communication technology (ICT) skills in Gombe state, Nigeria. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated and guided the study. The study adopted a predictive correlational design. The population of the study consisted of all the SSII students in Gombe State. 420 students were drawn from the population using a multistage sampling technique. The anxiety Questionnaire and ICT skills checklist were used as instruments for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experts. The instrument was tested for reliability and reliability coefficients of 0.87 was obtained using Cronbach alpha. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression. The results showed that there were more students with high levels of anxiety. Similarly, anxiety does not have a significant relationship with students’ Acquisition of ICT skills. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the School Authorities should introduce and integrate some forms of Computer Based Test in schools’ assessment systems in order to acquaint highly anxious and emotionally apprehensive students with the use of ICT facilities to reduce techno-phobia when interacting with ICT facilities for them to acquire ICT skills.

Keywords: Anxiety, ICT, Skills