CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
Background to Study
In recent times, the world has witnessed a rapid increase technological innovations. This era ushered in the advent of the electronic computer system among other modern technologies. At present the computer technology has permeated nearly all aspects of human organizational roles and education.
Computer encompasses almost all facets of human endeavours. So much has been written on it and its relatedness to all areas of human disciplines, which include computer/information technology, engineering, agriculture etc. However, much work has not been done on computer and its application and relevance to education. This work aims to fill this gap, as it discusses it importance to the field of education
Today, computer technology in schools is one of the most far-reaching and fast growing developments in education. Like maize in a plantation during a storm, countries all over the world are bending towards the fad of computer education (Joseph, 2005; Madu, 2007; Macaulay, 2007). Development in science and technology has brought into lime light the indispensable roles of computer in the area of information technology. It is a new instructional system. The incursion of the electronic computer system into the educational parlance, according to Sherman (2005) provides the wherewithal to solve teaching and learning problems even more rapidly and accurately than hitherto conceived. This has eventually made the computer system the doyen of humanity as it continues to exert greater acceptance. Computer, according to Jayesimi (1985), has become the ‘nowology’ in our society and possibly futuristic years ahead.
In schools, computers are widely used; and the need for computer technology and literacy in the educational system has become more relevant. Computer has been found to be an effective device for presenting an instructional programme. According to McCormick (2004), computers can be used to diversify, develop and improve the pedagogical relation of teaching and learning. Also, technological development can only be enhanced through proper acquisition of scientific knowledge: which can only be realized through relevant training in Science, Mathematics and Computer Education.
It was in this light that the Federal Government of Nigeria launched the National Policy on Computer Literacy at primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education in 1987 with the following general aims: For the computer to transform the school system, as there is increased merger between the computer technology and communication; and To equip the individual or student with thorough understanding of the concept of computer in order to fit in to the next century. The National programme on Computer Education as put in place by the Federal Government of Nigeria was received with open arms and regarded as a technological innovation in educational practice in Nigeria institutions of learning. Computer Education was perceived as a new instructional system that was designed to improve the quality of teaching and learning and to aid technological and socio-economic development. This was further corroborated by the then Federal Minister of Education, Professor Jubril Aminu in his address to the Adhoc
Committee on Computer Literacy in Nigeria that the objectives of the nation’s Computer Education programme, among other things, were as follows:
To bring about a computer literate society in Nigeria within a short space of time. To enable the present generation of school children at all levels, apprecite the potentials of the computer; and To enable them to be able to use the computer in various works of life and later occupation. With these laudable objectives, all state governments throughout Nigeria follow the Federal Government policy to introduce Computer Education and Literacy in secondary schools in 1997 with the following general objectives:
To bring about a computer literacy in each state in Nigeria. To develop the use of computer as teaching tool in all subject areas and to familiarize students with the use of computer technology. To enable the present generation of school children at the secondary school level appreciate the potentials of the computer and be able to utilize the computer in various aspects of life and later occupation; and d. To expose the teachers and the students to the latest scientific knowledge and skills.
From the foregoing, based on the importance of computer to learning, introducing it into the Nigerian educational system can be said to be a step in the right direction.
The computer as we know it today is very different from its predecessors because of the rapid advancement in the technology of computer.
In fact, it would be impossible to understand the behaviours of human being, without some knowledge of the basic principles should also enable us to develop more effective methods for teaching children in school and training people in various occupations.
According to Sparkes (2009), computer in teaching and learning processes is meant for the use of the micro computer as a new resources for teaching. One aspect of this is called individualized or “programmed learning”.
Another, its used as an ‘electronic blackboard” in front of the whole class that display everything to them in order to be seen.
Also, the hired use is as a “stations experiment” which a group of students use for a few minutes during the course of a practical session. This motions has probably come because of the non-probability of traditional equipment so that the students went to the terminal, instead of bringing the machine to the students. But the micro-computer is a new technology and it has created it own applications.
The field of secondary education has been affected by availability of Computer, which has undoubtedly affected teaching, learning, and research (Yusuf, 2005). Education is a fundamental human process; a matter of values and action. The cluster of technologies called the “Internet” has the ability to complement, reinforce, and to enhance the educational process (Simond, 2008). It will take the focus of education from the institution to the student. The computer has come to befriend, dwell with, and live beyond, both, the teacher and the student. African wisdom says, "It takes an entire village to raise a child".
Internet usage and world population statistics for March 31, 2011 showed that 5.7% of the population in Africa uses the Computer which is the second lowest in the world, while Asia statistics showed the highest with 44% of internet use (Internet World Stats, 2011).
While in Nigeria, very few schools can pride themselves on the use of internet in the teaching learning process. Research by Ukpebor (2010) revealed in the analysis that the level of computer access in schools is very poor. This is because the majority of the schools studied do not have access to the computer facilities and while few who does, do not frequently allow students to have access to the technology.
The internet is a vast global network that links millions of computers ranging from the smallest handheld personal mobile digital assistants to the most powerful computer systems ever constructed. The power of the internet is that it allows a worldwide community comprising millions of people to communicate, access, and publish information. People are using the internet to gain access to libraries throughout the world, aid in research projects and cross-cultural studies, solve school assignments, and enhance foreign language skills, and simply exchange ideas and studies with their peers.
The computer usage has become a global cultural phenomenon; tens of millions of people have access to the system. It is of the same magnitude as television was in its early years and is the most powerful current trend for societal change. According to Dowlin (2009), “Participation in the internet collapses geography and time”. The cost is independent of distance and the information is accessed in real or virtual time with little delay. However, commputer is not self dependent but a network itself. One needs computer or an enabled mobile phone to access the information and other multimedia resources through the internet. Therefore, because of the countless benefits from using the internet especially the educational value, schools now acquire computer systems with telecommunication tools to have access to the internet.
Considering the fact that computer use by students at secondary school level is yet to be formerly recognized as a means of improving academic performances, because curriculum developers underestimate its importance at that level, students’ problems are further compounded, as they do not have the full capacity to use the internet and understanding of the use of internet for academic purpose (Ukpebor, 2010). Students are not taught information, computer literacy skills in schools, while digital divide remains a succeeding factor in developing nations.
However, many private schools can boast of computer laboratory. The cost of access points and connections to the internet is a source of concern to secondary school students and private school owners respectively. With the rapid advancement in information communication technology and a decline in the price of computers, information sources have become affordable to students both in print form and online (Wee, 1999).
Statement of the Study
Considering the fact that availability of computer by students at secondary school level is yet to be formerly recognized as a means of improving academic performances, because curriculum developers underestimate its importance at that level, students’ problems are further compounded, as they do not have the full capacity to use the internet and understanding of the use of computer for academic purpose (Ukpebor, 2010). Students are not taught information, computer and internet literacy skills in schools, while digital divide remains a succeeding factor in developing nations. However, many private schools can boast of computer laboratory, but only few can pride themselves on internet connectivity. The availability of computer set in secondary school is a source of concern to secondary school students and private school owners respectively. With the rapid advancement in information communication technology and a decline in the price of computers, information sources have become affordable to students both in print form and online (Wee, 1999). The questions that arise are: Do the schools in Onitsha South have computers? What is the frequency of access to the system? How do students acquire internet skills and most possible place of internet access
Research Questions
Based on the problems above, the following research questions are raised:
(1) What is the ratio of the students to the available computer facilities?
(2) To what extents are the computers machines and its peripherals are available in the local government area
(3) Is the subject (Computer Science ) being taught by trained and qualified teachers?
(4) Are the students exposed to the practical classes?
(5) To what extent does the lack of enough of computer machine and it peripheral affect the teaching and learning process?
Significance of the Study
This study is important in that it give schools and the populace clearer vision in relation to the importance role the computer play in evaluating students performance
This project will be of most benefit in many areas, the findings of the study will contribute to upliftment of the education i.e. it will help the learners to be exposed to the study of computer science. Also, this study will aimed at thigh lighting the likely problems that emanate/produce from the non-availability of computer machine in the local government.
Since studies, focusing on survey of internet use by secondary schools students in Nigeria are minimal, it will be expected that the result of this work could be beneficial to students, school management and those willing to take up similar researches as the case may be.
The project will also suggest the contribution of the students, teachers, school administrator and the development of the subject (Computer Science)
Objective of Teaching
The poor attitude of students in Onitsha south local government Area of Anambra state towards the availability and usage of computer in the local government area is nothing to write home about, as a result of this, the main objective of the research work is;-
1 To bring about a computer literate society in Nigeria within a short space of time.
2 To enable the present generation of school children at all levels, appreciate the potentials of the computer;
3 To enable them to be able to use the computer in various works of life and later occupation.
4 To bring about a computer literacy in each state in Nigeria.
5 To develop the use of computer as teaching tool in all subject areas and to familiarize students with the use of computer technology.
6 To enable the present generation of school children at the secondary school level appreciate the potentials of the computer and be able to utilize the computer in various aspects of life and later occupation; and d.
7 To expose the teachers and the students to the latest scientific knowledge and skills.
From the foregoing, based on the importance of computer to learning, introducing it into the Nigerian educational system can be said to be a step in the right direction.
Delimitation of the study
This research is limited to some selected secondary school in onitsha South local government area of Anambra State. About three secondary schools were randomly selected from the study area. The names of the secondary schools are;
1. Inland girls Secondary school, Inland town Onitisha
2. Christ the king college, Odoupu Pnisha
3. Urban girls secondary school, Fegge Onitisa South Local Government
Definition of Term
(i) Computer: Computer can be defined as an electronic machine or device that accept data, process the data according to instruction fed into it and provide meaningful output/information to the user.
(ii) Learning: learning is a process by which people acquire knowledge from the teachers.
(iii) Teaching: This can be defined as the process of imparting knowledge into the students or learners by the teachers under formal education set up.
(iv) Environment: This is the immediate surroundings of the school where teaching take place.
(v) Economic status: This is the level of the school economy in terms of fund to finance the system of the school
(vi) Facilities: These are those materials or tool either electronics, mechanical and human resources that support the function and operations of a computer system.
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