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 researcherobservationonjunior
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 perception of junior secondary school students on difficulties in learning Computer
Studies in Secondary Schools 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:
educationaladministrators, computer studies teachers, learners which include secondary
school students and future researchers.
Thefindings 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 studiesTeachers’ 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?