CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
One
of the fundamental rights of every human being is education. Education prepares
the individual for challenges in life. Consequently, Gujjar (2010) opined that
education does not only deliver information, but for developing complete
personality of a child. In Nigeria there are three levels of education:
primary, secondary and tertiary level. Secondary education is the level between
primary and tertiary education. It equally prepares students to be productive
members of the society (Jegede2013). In developed countries, Secondary School is
seen as the gateway to providing not only an educated citizenry but also a
capable workforce. According to World Bank in Etim (2006), Secondary education
is now being recognized as the cornerstone of educational system in the 21st
century. It therefore means that quality Secondary education is indispensable
in creating a bright future for individuals and nations alike.
The
term Computer Studies have been used interchangeably, in some cases it has been
referred to as computer education while in other cases it is called computer
literacy. In whatever way, it means the same thing. Computer education is the
effort or the ability to make the generality of the people computer literate. Computer
literacy is the ability to be able to read, write and speak the language of the
computer. It can also be looked at as a process of educating the people on how
to use a computer to run a program and diverse application including business,
industry and commerce (Okorie, 2012). Computer studies according to Edhuze
(2003) involved teaching and inculcating in the learner the basic skills
required to independently manipulate the computer to achieve educational goals.
He further stated that, computer studies as a subject is aimed at making
students acquire skills and competencies required in this digital word of
competitiveness. Such basic skills and competencies upon graduation make them
conversant with term and practices embedded in the world of computer. Computer
studies, therefore a subject organized toenable people understand the function,
uses and limitations of the computer and to provide an opportunity for the
study of the modern methods of information processing.
The
intention of Nigeria to include computer studies into the secondary school
curriculum dates back to 1988 when the National Policy on Computer Education
was enacted and launched (Abimbade, 1999). The policy on computer education
suggested the following as some of the computer curriculum context at the
secondary school level: A basic appreciation of how the computer works, an
understanding of the basic principle of operating the computer, hands-on
experience using the pre-programmed packages which are relevant to the interest
of the students as teacher aids in different subjects. According to the
National Policy on Computer Education (2006), it is expected that by the end of
secondary education, the child has acquired reasonable competence in software
such as word processing, spreadsheet, database analyzing programs that allow
learners interact with the computer the way they desire (Ayogu, 2008). It
therefore means that to achieve these objectives as stated in the National
Policy on Education, strategies are needed.
In
modern world, the computer is being gradually applied in all aspects of human
endeavour. It has been stressed that the application of computer will enhance
effectiveness and efficiency in this rapidly growing and technologically
changing world. Computer education is being advocated because it is almost
certain that computer literacy will have as much impact on career opportunities
in the fast growing information age (Adamu and Bello, 2012). The relevance of
computer education is therefore, hinged on its utility value. The National
Policy on Education (NPE, 1981, revised in 1988, 1991, 1998 and 2004) introduced
the teaching of computer studies in Nigerian schools. The inclusion of the
study of computer studies in the school curriculum was aimed at providing
opportunity for every student to become computer literate. The study of computer
studies has in effect, gained tremendous influence on the student and society.
However, the use and study of computers in Nigeria is recent when compared to
other parts of the world where computers have been in use in all facet of human
endeavour including offices, schools, industries, research centre’s,
communication, hospitals to mention but a few. The complex nature of present
day school situation has made transmission of information and instruction to
students and the nature of learning and teaching in general more complex. This
has made the role of the teacher in promoting learning more challenging. The
new role does not just, involve mere transmission of information to students
but also include looking at the problems associated with learning and
instruction so that students can gain maximally from teaching and learning
process. Computers are now used where there is a lot of data to be manipulated,
where complex tasks must be managed or where there is need for real time access
to centralized information from arbitrary locations such as in education,
telemedicine, telecommunicating and in several other area (Adewopo, 2015). The
study of computer in school is therefore, aimed at helping the students cope
with modern technological development, equip them knowledge and competencies or
skills of programme and administrative management as well as, improve the
learning process. Students are expected to master the skills of computer
appreciation or application and not just what it is and can do. Students are
therefore, expected to be taught in such a way as not only to conceptualize and
understand the computer, but also to be able to effectively manage their own
learning, reinforce it and apply such knowledge or training in practical
situation. This new approach has made the teaching of computer studies a little
bit more complex and challenging. It has been observed that the teaching and
learning of computer studies in schools has not been quite easy. Often time,
people talk about inadequate equipments, facilities, and computers instructional
resources for learning and teaching exercise (Aghadino, 2014). It is believed
that teaching of science in general and computer studiesin particular is beset
with a number of problems (Adamu, 2010). The slow pace of learning and
application of computer had been attributed to this. This presupposes that
there are problems associated with the teaching and learning of computer
studies education. In the circumstance therefore, one is prompted to ask: what
exactly is the situation? What are the problems associated with the teaching of
computer studies education? It is against this backdrop this study was designed
to assess the difficulties associated with computer studies education using Enugu
East as a case study.
Statement of the Problem
The
growing need for computer literacy has made it imperative that increased
attention be given to the study of computer at all level of education especially
in secondary schools. The researcher observation on junior secondary schools in
Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State shows that laboratory, computer
and instructional materials required for learning of computer studies are not
only inadequate but have not been fully utilized. Further interaction with
student has shown that they are not taught computer studies regularly like any
other subject due to shortage of computer teachers. However, one of the reasons
why computer teachers are in short supply is that when teachers with computer
qualification are employed, they prefer to teach mathematics rather than
computer subject. Most of these computer teachers have been exposed only to the
theoretical aspect of their programme while little or no attention was paid to
the practical aspect of their programme during their years of training.
(Aghadino, 2014).
It
therefore means that without proper improvement on the gaps facing computer
studies in junior secondary schools in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu
State, Secondary School Students upon graduation are bound to be completely
obsolete in our contemporary society where knowledge of computer has become a
prerequisite for employment, interview and in some cases for promotion. It is
on this basis that the researcher deems it necessary to conduct a study on the
perception of junior secondary school students’ on difficulties in learning
computers and tend to provide strategies for improving computer studies in Enugu
East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Purpose
of the study
The
general objective of this study is to investigate the problems facing teachers
in teaching computer science in secondary schools today in Nigeria in Enugu
East Local Government Area, Enugu State.
The
specific objectives include;
1. To
find out students-related difficulties in learning computer in Junior Secondary
School
2. To
determine School-related difficulties affecting learning of computer in Secondary
Schools
3. To
find out strategies in improving learning of computer in Junior Secondary
Schools.
Significance of the Study
The researcher hopes that the result of
this research work shall be beneficial to the following: educational administrators,
computer studies teachers, learners which include secondary school students and
future researchers.
The findings of the study will help to
make our Educational Administrators see the need to have qualified computer
studies teachers to handle the subject effectively for the benefits of the
students and society at large.It will also help to sensitize the educational
administrators to appreciate the need to make available the necessary
materials, examples chalkboard, graph, audio-visual materials, etc that will
enhance effective learning of computer studies if they are not available.
This study will be of need directly to
the Computer studies Teachers’ Association, drawing attention to the need for
them to adopt more appropriate teaching method in order to bring about the
desirable experience in the learners.
It will be useful for learners to
identify the factors affecting the teaching and learning of computer studies.
It will help to produce sound computer scientists that will function well in
the society. This work will serve as a source of encouragement to students and
teachers that will come across it. It is hoped that the findings of this study
would also form the basis for further research work by future researchers on
this issues.
This work adds great knowledge to
already existing literature in computer education and education in general
thereby serve as an aid to future researchers.
Scope
of the study
This
study aimed at identifying the perception of junior secondary students on difficulties
in learning computer studies in secondary schools. It examined various factors
which include; student related factors, school related factors difficulties
that affect learning of computer studies and as well proffer solutions to the
out-listed difficulties. The study is delimited to public secondary schools in Enugu
East LGA, Enugu State.
Research Questions
To
achieve the objective of the study, three research questions were formulated.
1.
What are students-related difficulties
affecting learning of Computer studiesin Junior Secondary Schools?
2.
What are the school-related difficulties
affecting learning of computer studies?
3.
What are the strategies for improving
the learning of computer studies?