CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
There is no doubt that information and communication technology (I.C.T) is an “ In-thing” all over the world today through which the whole world have been reduced to a “global village” with implication that one can get in touch with all parts of the world within few minutes without leaving his seat.
The effect of information and communication technology (I.C.T) into teaching method of mathematics at junior secondary school (J.S.S) level whose their role is to prepared students at J.S.S level for later life, have no choice but to integrate the information and communication technology in the classroom, otherwise students will be relegated to a marginal status in relation to the other sectors of the society.
The component of information and communication technology includes the following;
1. Computers: Computer seems to be the first major components of information and communication technology.
2. Internet: This is an electronic computer network that connects millions of computers all over the world. It is from the two words international network.
3. CD Rom Technology (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) is one of the latest information storage devices.
4. Satellite communication is an important technology for transmitting messages through long distance, it is the cheapest way of transmitting long distance message but very costly to lunch.
The concepts, information and communication technology have been defined in several ways by several authors.
Yusuf (1997) defined the information and communication technology (I.C.T) as; “The mechanism used to process, stores and transmit information.” From the above definition computer application is central to information and communication technology (I.C.T) techniques. There is no doubt that information technology as observed by Yussuf (1997) “Has increased the importance of information as a vital commodity required for survival, progress and development.”
Development of computers nowadays has put everything on a “Fast lane” and only those whose are “fast enough” can be benefit from the fast growing sector, hence education is the bedrock of development in preparing the society for the future.
Ron Oliver (2002) observed that information and communication technology (I.C.T) is a force that change the way we live. In education I.C.T acts as powerful agent to change many of education practices to which we have become beneficial.
Martin Carnoy (2004) raises some fundamental issues and questions whether information and communication technology (I.C.T) is suited to transmitting knowledge, particularly to students who are not already highly motivated to learn or well versed in the art of using and interpreting information.
Makrakis (1998) and Kehinde (2008) were of the opinion that “computer should be seen as a subject, media and as a tool for creative work in the school system.”
Recently, the information and communication technology (I.C.T) has reduced the whole world into a “global village” where some schools are getting linked-up with one another locally and globally, the junior secondary school (J.S.S) level teachers would need to improve themselves and later on, pass quality information to their students via the usual teaching methods. The integrating of information and communication technology (I.C.T) in mathematics teaching method has helped both teachers and the learners in general. At the junior secondary schools (J.S.S) levels of education, computer could be a subject taught, where students would learn about it to be computer literate, to learn about its used and its versatilities.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The project is interested in the integrating of information and communication technology (I.C.T) in mathematics teaching method and the effect of information and communication technology on performance of students at junior secondary schools (J.S.S) level and possible advantages of information and communication technology when integrated into teaching of mathematics at junior secondary schools (J.S.S) level.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main reason for this research work is to integrating of information and communication technology (I.C.T) in mathematics teaching method and the effect of information and communication technology on performance of students at junior secondary schools (J.S.S) level in Odeda local government area of Ogun state of Nigeria so as to find the lasting solution to the following problems in schools,
· Inadequate instructional materials
· Equipped educational resource centers / libraries
· Shortages of textbooks for teachers and students
· Inadequate learning and teaching facilities
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study of mathematics has become compulsory and important subject in the educational curriculum at different levels of education starting from primary schools to the university level.
The integrating of information and communication technology (I.C.T) in mathematics teaching method and the effect of information and communication technology on performance of students at junior secondary schools (J.S.S) level.
There are so many thing that teachers, parent and government can benefit from the integrating of information and communication technology (I.C.T) in mathematics teaching method at junior secondary schools (J.S.S) level;
· It will assist the curriculum planner to make necessary adjustment in education system.
· It will help government tom provide well-equipped classroom, laboratories e.t.c
· It will also help teachers to become better teachers.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
· Does the use of I.C.T in mathematics teaching method make any improvement in performance of students at junior secondary schools (J.S.S) level?
· Is there any different between the teachers using information and communication technology (I.C.T) in teaching mathematics and the teachers that do not use information and communication technology (I.C.T) in teaching mathematics?
· Does the students that their teachers make use of I.C.T in their teaching performs better than students whom their teachers do not use I.C.T in their teaching and learning?
1.6 HYPOTHESIS
· The integration of information and communication technology (I.C.T) in mathematics teaching at J.S.S level is of no or little importance to effective teaching.
· The integration of information and communication technology (I.C.T) in mathematics teaching at J.S.S levels improves the performance of the students in mathematics
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research project will be carried out in junior secondary schools in Odeda local government area of Ogun state of Nigeria, due to the time and financial constraints.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
There are some terms used in this chapter which include;
· Integrating: The process of combining part into a whole.
· Information: Facts told or discovered.
· Communication: The process of sharing or imparting information; a letter or message; (communication) means of communicating or of traveling.
· Technology: The application of scientific knowledge in industry e.t.c
· Mathematics: The science of numbers, quantities, and measurement; the mathematical aspect of a subject or phenomenon.
· Teaching: The process of imparting information or skill to a person or about a subject.
· Method: A procedure or way of doing something orderliness.
· Effect: A change procedure by an action or cause; an impression.
· Performance: The result or outcome of a somebody or something when given a test.
· Student: A person who is studying at a college or university.
· Junior: Younger in age: lower in rank or authority, of or for younger people.
· Secondary: Coming after or derived from what is primary (of schools or education) for children who have had primary education, usually between the age of 11 and 18.