Effect of Texting and Shortcut Spelling on Academic Achievements of Secondary School Students
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of Study
Research Objectives
- To describe the effects of texting on formal academic
- To explore various factors that are involved in influencing the students
- To find various remedies to overcome this problem.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Global System of Mobile Network
Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) is classified under the language of science and technologyNdukwe (2006). It is widely used all over the world with its in built languages, but the English language takes the preeminence and is also preferred by most students. The keypads of most handsets have English alphabet the menus and instructions are all presented in English language. The advent of the GSM in Nigeria and its acceptance by the populace could be as a result of the use of English language and the prestige attached to its use by the users as well as other functions that have made it indispensable Chiluwa (2007). The GSM is used in most homes in Nigeria by parents and students. It has various devices like the short message service/text message (SMS/TM), web access, games, multimedia, Bluetooth, tools, music, files, FM radio and television. All these also have sub-divisions which could occupy one‟s day parents buy handsets for their children/wards for different reason; some working-class parents buy handset for their children to call or text them when the need arises. The seemingly low tariff attached to SMS/TM by the service providers prompts many subscribers/students to opt for the SMS and many people avoid exceeding a page (usually made up about one hundred and sixty characters per chargeable page of message) and device means of minimizing their words to enable them conclude what they wish to pass across to their recipients within the limit. In other words, what Chiluwa (2007) referred to as “new linguistic style” is gradually setting into the language to prove that the language has a new form of orthography. This happens as the world is witnessing new developments and cultures new words coinages and new styles of expression evolve as part of these development processes.
Short Message Service
SMS language is a term for the abbreviations and rebus phone text messaging. Context helps when interpreting SMS language. The objective of SMS language is to use the least as many telecommunication companies have an SMS character limit, allowing about 160 characters. Alabi (2008) the new linguistic styles are gradually finding their ways into the formal writing system by senior secondary students in the WASSCE English essays. For example, the question number one in the informal letter requires an informal system of writing, but the marking scheme still maintains that the formal features must be present for a candidate to obtain a good mark (2006 WAEC marking scheme). The kind of writing system investigated was neither in conformity with the acceptable abbreviations and coinages of words in the language.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain effect of texting and shortcut spelling on academic achievement of secondary school students. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of texting and shortcut spelling on academic achievement of secondary school students
Summary
This study was on effect of texting and shortcut spelling on academic achievement of secondary school students. Three objectives were raised which included; To describe the effects of texting on formal academic, to explore various factors that are involved in influencing the students and to find various remedies to overcome this problem. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected secondary school in Uyo. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
This study has shown that students in the study area commit a great deal of errors which are identifiable and can be categorized in their essay writings and quite a lot of reasons are responsible for this problem. This problem of spelling errors has also contributed in a way to their poor performance in English language, especially in essay writing. Teachers and students alike seem not to be making concerted efforts in order to ameliorate the problem of spelling errors as it is seen from the responses of the respondents. Spelling as a skill requires intensive practice and efforts to be able to achieve competence in it. If appropriate measures are put in place therefore, the problem can be tackled.
Recommendation
It is therefore recommended that the teaching of spelling, especially at the secondary school level should be made a major aspect of the English language curriculum and there should be concerted effort at teaching it on weekly basis. Course book writers should also lay emphasis on spelling as a writing sub-skill in their books. Teachers should also be encouraged to collect corpus of their students’ writing in order to identify areas of spelling problems among their students in order to device better spelling teaching methods. Students also, should in deliberate practice that can help them improve on their spelling competence level. Appropriate textbooks should also be made available in school libraries for students and teachers to be able to use.
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