Challenges Senior Secondary School Students Encounter In Learning Computer Studies In Aniocha North Local Government Area

ABSTRACT

 This study investigated Challenges Senior Secondary School Students encounter in Learning Computer Studies in Aniocha North Local Government Area. Four research questions guided this study. A descriptive survey design was adapted for the study. The population of the study comprised all the senior secondary school in the study area. The sample for this study consisted of 120 senior secondary school students which selected through simple random sample techniques from all senior secondary schools students who offered computer studies in the study area. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire which was validated by experts in Measurement and Evaluation. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The findings revealed that shortage of computer studies teachers, lack of students’ interest, inadequate instructional materials and inadequate provision of computer labouratories facilities influence secondary school students learning of computer studies in secondary schools. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that government should employ sufficient number of computer studies teacher in secondary schools to help reduce shortage of computer teachers which will improve the performance of students in computer studies. Student should also make effort to develop interest in learning computer studies by paying attention during computer studies lessons.

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Education is the process of preparing an individual from birth through his life for a happy and useful membership of the society in which he is born, (NERC in Iloh, Edozie, Akpomuje and Ademu-Awuja. 2006). Okoh in Iloh, Edozie, Akpomuje and Ademu-Awuja. (2006), define learning as a relatively lasting change in behavior that is induced directly by practice or relevant experience.

The computer is an indispensable tool for teaching and learning process. The knowledge of the computer and the ability to use the computer has become so important and widespread that it has come to be an integral part of education and literacy, yet computer literacy is lacking among many students nowadays. Computer has a long history of existence. Today computer technology has undergone series of transformation. Kremer (2005), define computer as an electronic machine that operates with remarkable speed and reliability. Computer is also defined as an electronic device which accept data as input, process and store it which in return gives out a useful information. The main purpose of using computer regardless of the application is to process data quickly and efficiently so that the information obtained can be timely, meaningful and accurate. Data is a raw fact which been inputted into the computer to generate information. Computer is very fast, accurate and has a large storage capability that is the reason why computers are needed in our schools.

Computer is a machine which can hold vast qualities of information and accurately stores information for future use. Micro processor “brain” and electronic memory work together to enable the computer process data. Why was the computer invested should be the next question that comes to your mind. Computer was invented to solve many mathematical problems in the early stage.

Evoh (2007) emphasized that secondary school or secondary education is essential of the creation of effective human capital in any country. The need for the conclusion of computer in educational curriculum of the Nigerian secondary schools cannot be overemphasized. Oduroye (2002) emphasized the increase in demand for computer literacy in Nigeria. This is because employees realize that computer and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities can enhanced efficiency, on the other hand, employee have also realized that computer can be a threat to their jobs, and the only way to enhance job security is to become computer literacy.

In some senior secondary schools, computers are use as instructional materials in teaching students during practical class. Curriculum both present and past must be relatively examine and overhauled. It can be done by restructuring the past and existing curriculum to meet the present day demand of the students, teacher, government, industries, the community and parents.

Computer studies seem to be difficult to some senior secondary school students who are not very familiar with computer or who have never used it or even seen it.  Some students who have even seen computer have a narrow or wrong notion of what it is, or what it can be use for. It is therefore very necessary to teach and educate students on computer studies especially in senior secondary schools to prepare them for the new demands of modern technological world in order to improve computer knowledge, applications and skills in students. Many factors seem to being attributed to be part of the challenges students encounter in the learning of computer studies. These according to Okorie (2000) emphasized that, students lack interest in learning computer studies simply because the tools or equipment use in teaching student are not provided. Others are; inadequate computer teachers, poor learning environment among others.

Based on the above principle, the researchers focused on the Challenges Senior Secondary School Students Encounter in Learning Computer in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

 1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the importance of computer in educational system and the nation in general, many factors however have hindered the growth and development of computer studies in Nigeria Secondary Schools. It is sad that some students still prefer other science courses to computer and their attitude towards the computer studies is generally poor. This is as a result of some perceived problem. Thus this study sought to determine the challenges senior secondary school students encounter in learning computer studies in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

 1.3 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges senior secondary school students’ encounter in learning computer studies in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

Specifically, the study sought to determine:

1. Whether there is shortage of computer teachers in senior secondary schools in Aniocha North Local Government Area.
2. Whether students lack interest in the learning of computer.
3. Whether there are adequate instructional materials used in learning computer studies in the schools.
4. Whether there are adequate provisions of laboratory facilities used in the learning of computer.

 1.4 Research Questions:

1. To what extent does the shortage of computer teachers influence the students in the learning of computer in senior secondary schools?
2. To what extent does lack of students’ interest influence the students in the learning of computer studies in senior secondary school?
3. To what extent does inadequate instructional material influence the students in the learning of computer studies in senior secondary schools?
4. To want extent does inadequate provision of labouratory facilities influence the students in the learning of computer studies in senior secondary schools?

 1.5 Significance of the Study:

The importance of the study will be beneficial to the students, the teachers, the school authorities, and the government. The result of the study would help the students to discover how they contributed towards the  challenges encountered in learning of computer and it would help them to change from the horrible ways of behaviour that affect computer studies adversely.

The result of the study would help the teachers to know the areas they need extra effort for maintaining effective teaching and learning of computer and improve such situations.

The school authorities from the result of the study will know those areas that contribute to the challenges encountered by students in the learning of computer studies and would work towards improving the situation.

The result of the study will also help the government to know the challenges senior secondary school students encounter in learning computer studies in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Such knowledge would help the government in the provision of infrastructures and laboratory facilities to improve the teaching and learning of computer studies.

1.6 Scope of the study:

The scope of the study focuses on Challenges senior secondary school students Encounter in learning Computer Studies in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Challenges: A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination.

Senior Secondary School: Senior Secondary school is a secondary school that students attend in the three or four highest grades before college.
Student: Student is a learner or someone who attends an educational institution. It is also a person formally engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in school or college.

Learning: Learning is the act of acquiring new or modifying and reinforcing existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences which may lead to a potential change in synthesizing information, depth of the knowledge, attitude or behavior relative to the type and range of experiences.

Computer Studies: This is the devotion of a student in gaining computer knowledge

Pages:  43

Category: Project

Format:  Word & PDF               

Chapters: 1-5                                          

Source: Imsuinfo

Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.