Technology-Enhanced Instruction and Learning Engagement in Electrical Trade Education: The Role of Interactive PowerPoint in Nigeria Technical Colleges

Abstract

Learning engagement is a central determinant of students’ academic success and skill acquisition in vocational and technical education, particularly in practice-oriented electrical trade programmes in Nigeria technical colleges. However, instructional practices in many technical colleges remain largely traditional and teacher-centered, limiting students’ active participation, motivation, and understanding of abstract electrical concepts. This theoretical article examines the potential of Interactive PowerPoint as an instructional mechanism for enhancing learning engagement among electrical trade students in Nigeria technical colleges. The discussion is anchored in the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, constructivist learning theory, and the technology acceptance model, which explain how multimedia-supported, learner-centered instruction can promote meaningful learning. Through conceptual analysis, the paper demonstrates how interactive PowerPoint presentations that integrate multimedia elements, animations, hyperlinks, and embedded learner response activities can enhance cognitive engagement through deeper information processing, behavioural engagement through active participation, and emotional engagement by stimulating interest and motivation. This article further discusses the pedagogical relevance of interactive PowerPoint for electrical trade instruction, and clarifies the instructional roles of teachers and learners in Nigeria technical colleges. This paper would contributes to technology-enhanced technical education literature by offering a theoretically grounded framework for understanding interactive presentation tools in fostering learning engagement. Therefore, It was concluded and recommended that curriculum planners and technical education authorities should formally integrate Interactive PowerPoint and other interactive multimedia tools into electrical trade curricula as core instructional strategies.