Computer Awareness and Academic Attainment of Secondary School Students in Kaura Local Government Area in Kaduna State
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out the computer awareness level among secondary school students.
- To find out the extent to which secondary school students do operate computer.
- To find out the percentage of secondary school students that have the knowledge of power point.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
History and Generation of Computer
Shelly Cashman (2011) Described computer as an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use. Computer could be said to be (according to Ngene 2007) a machine which extracts data from input device, performs arithmetic and logical operation in accordance with defined program and finally transfers processed data to an output device either for further processing or in printed forms such as business documents. 8 The earliest device that qualifies as a digital computer is the Abacus. A calculation aid invented about 600BC the abacus permits the users to represent numbers by positions of beads on a rack. Simple addition and subtraction can be carried out rapidly and efficiently by positioning the beads appropriately. The abacus is still widely used and can be used for calculation at an amazing speed. The first mechanical adding machine invented by Blaise Pascal, a French Custom official in 1642. Baron Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibniz of Germany in 1671 invented the first calculator for multiplication it is still undergoing improvement. Keyboard machines originated in the United States in the 1880’s and of course continues till this day. Business machine and calculators made their appearance in Europe and America toward the end of the nineteenth century. They are the products of such present industrial giants as international Business machines corporation, the Remington Rand Division of Sperry Rand Corporation, the Monroc calculating Division of Litton industries, the National Cash Register Company etc. The father of Modern digital computer is considered to be Charles Babbage, a nineteenth century professor at Cambridge University who proposed a differential engine to the British Admiralty. He was given funds in 1823 to develop such a device but did not succeed. In 1833, on his own be started development of an analytical engine and worked on it until 1842. Neither of these devices were successful, mainly because of the hardware limitations of the period. However, his 9 efforts established a number of principles which have been shown to be fundamental to the design of any digital computer. The modern computer is electronic and digital. An electronic machine uses components such as vacuum tube transistors, and integrated chips to implement certain functions. A machine is also said to be digital it uses the binary arithmetic system as the bases of its operation. The electronic, digital computer dates back to the early 1940’s of course analog computers exist. An analog computer does not count in two digits but rather continuously measures and compares changing values examples include a computerized thermostat that regulate heat or air conditioner in a building, an analog radio turner with a needle that moves from station to station when you turn a knob. A digital turner on the contrary, displays a specific and praise frequency when you push a button. The computer works on data, Data consist of facts and numbers suitable for communication and interpretation. The computer actually transforms data, on act or operation called data processing. Data processing requires that the computer uses specific procedures laid out by the users or the designer to turn data into useful information for people. From the foregoing, data is the raw material of information people transforms data which computers produces into useful information by understanding and playing it. People make the computer to do many complex and sophisticated operations by issuing sequence of instruction to it. The 10 computer obeys this group of instruments called a program so that it will perform data processing. The computer will perform data processing if a program aimed at achieving this is presented in a very specific and precise manner.
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.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine computer awareness and academic attainment of secondary school students. Selected secondary schools in Kaura local government area in kaduna state form the population of the study.
SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION
A study sample is simply a systematic selected part of a population that infers its result on the population. In essence, it is that part of a whole that represents the whole and its members share characteristics in like similitude (Udoyen, 2019). In this study, the researcher adopted the convenient sampling method to determine the sample size.
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 computer awareness and academic attainment of secondary School students in Kaura Local Government Area in Kaduna State. 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 computer awareness and academic attainment of secondary School students
Summary
This study was on computer awareness and academic attainment of secondary School students in Kaura Local Government Area in Kaduna State. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out the computer awareness level among secondary school students, to find out the extent to which secondary school students do operate computer and to find out the percentage of secondary school students that have the knowledge of power point. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected secondary schools in Kaura local government area in Kaduna state Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the data collected it may be concluded that there is a significant relationship between computer awareness and computer use among secondary school students in Kaura local government area in Kaduna state. Hence, there is a low awareness and usage of computer among the junior secondary students. It is obvious that the efforts made towards awareness of computer into the secondary school system have not had much impact in some rural areas because of so many factors which include inadequate equipment, lack of maintenance of even the available of equipment and inadequate skill teachers to impact the necessary skills.
Recommendation
Government should ensure that computer awareness policy statements are translated into reality. An computer awareness policy implementation commission should be created, funded and given the power to provide computer facilities in the schools and monitor their use.
Secondary schools in rural areas should not be left out of benefiting from both federal and State sector ICT project.
References
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