A Comparative Study of Students Performance in Technology based Theory and Practical Subjects in Nigerian Universities.

It is usually believed by most employers of labor that university graduates in practical based programme in Nigeria lack enough practical potentials and capabilities required to contend with the demand of the labor force, this according to them is because less emphasis is placed on practices compared to their knowledge in theory during their training programmes. This study attempt to investigate the relationship between the student's theory and practical performance in Technology based subjects of students in the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. The sample consisted of 75 students. Using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, the Coefficient of Correlation obtained are 0.61, 0.52, 0.44, for Technical Drawing, Metal-Work Technology and Wood-Work Technology subjects respectively, as a result of which the null hypotheses were rejected. The result showed that there is a statistically significant relationship between students' theory and practical performance. Thus the theory knowledge acquired by the students has influenced their performances in the practical exercises. In the light of this, it is suggested that more of this type of study should be done to constantly bridge the gap between theory and practice at all levels of our educational endeavor.