Theoretical Research on the Effects of Computer Usage on the Academic Achievements of Senior Secondary School Students
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to ascertain the effect of computer usage on the academic achievement of secondary school students in Lagos state. But for the successful completion of the study; the researcher intends to achieve the following objectives;
- To ascertain the effect of computer usage on the academic achievement of students.
- To evaluate the relationship between the use of computer and traditional teaching technique.
- To ascertain the role of computer assisted instruction in improving student participation in class
- To ascertain the impact of computer on students reading habit.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter reviews the literature on the effect of computer usage on the achievement of secondary school students. It discusses issues arising from the topic of discuss as viewed from different perspectives, with a view of giving a theoretical and empirical foundation to the study.
THE USE OF THE COMPUTER IN LEARNING
The computer is a technological innovation under the control of stored programme that can perform some of the intellectual roles of man even beyond human capability. It is a power-driven machine equipped with keyboards, electronic circuits, storage compartments, and recording devices for the high speed performance of mathematical operations. Reith (1993) defines computer as an electronic device which stores information on disc or magnetic tape; analyses it and produces information as required from the data on the tape. Sharing the same view with Reith (1993), Kingsley (1995) sees computer as a device that accepts data in one form and processes it to produce data in another form. Adekomi (2001) defines computer as a combination of related devices capable of solving problems by accepting data, performing described operations on the data, and supplying the results of these operations. Hence, computer could be said to be a man-made machine made up of electronic components that operates information at a very high speed to produce results that are meaningful to the user. It is basically a processor of information. Computer is a machine designed to make life easier due to its speed, accuracy, ability to store large quantity of information and to carry out long and complex operation without human intervention. Computers, irrespective of type and size have five basic parts namely, Input Unit, Memory Units, Control Units (CU), Arithmetic and Logic Units (ALU) and Output Units. Both ALU and CU are joined into one piece of hardware known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) which is the brain of the computer. According to Adekomi (2001), the primary functions of computers are: Imputing and storing information. Processing information. Out putting information. Computer has specially designed languages for operations. These are FORTRAN, COBOL, BASIC, ALGOL, PL/I and PASCAL. The computer accepts data through its input devices such as the screen, mouse, light pen, scanner, microphone, joystick and the like. It processes data, stores it and outputs it through the output devices which include the printer, loud speaker, computer output, microfilm and others. The basic types of computer are the analog, the digital and the hybrid. The analog computers are used for measuring changes in continuous physical or electrical states. These include speed, pressure, voltage, length, volume and temperature. The digital computers perform calculation by counting number precisely while data are represented by discrete states of the computer electronic circuitry. Digital computers convert data to binary form. The hybrid computers represent a combination of digital and analog computers and known to have found much application in control and feedback processes. Innovations appearing today indicate that the word is dependant on computer technology (Ajibade, 2006). The computer is not only a game or word processing and accounting alone, it is a great learning tool for adults and little ones, nursery school pupils and secondary school students, graduates and post graduate students.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to a critical analysis of theoretical research on the effect of computer usage on the academic achievement of secondary school students.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source and Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a critical analysis of the effect of computer usage on the 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 are made, which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefit in addressing the challenges of poor academic performance in secondary schools.
Summary
This study aimed at having a critical analysis of the effect of computer usage on the academic achievement of secondary school students. Four objectives were raised. These objectives include: To ascertain the effect of computer usage on the academic achievement of students, to evaluate the relationship between the use of computer and traditional teaching technique, to ascertain the role of computer assisted instruction in improving student participation in class and to ascertain the impact of computer on students reading habit.
Conclusion
Based on the above findings pertaining to the objectives of the study the following conclusions are drawn.
The world is a global village. The present age of technological advancement has brought changes into virtually all human endeavour including the teaching and learning processes. Acquisition of computer literacy skills as well as good face-value certificate in Computer Education is a sin-qua-non for all and sundry. This is also the case for the Nigerians. Promotion in places of works and securing a well-paid job are all attached to computer literacy, hence the society should get more enlightened through Computer Education.
Recommendation
The government should employ applicants with B.Sc. (Ed.) and B. Ed. Computer Education to teach the subject in our secondary schools. The parliamentarian should pass a bill on stabilizing the price of computers in the market to make it easier for people to acquire at a reduced price. Computer spare parts should be imported to repair the damaged ones. The government should provide enough funds for schools to purchase computer for instructional purposes and make available suitable computer environment in our secondary schools. Conferences, workshops and symposium should be organized to train people and enlighten them on the need for computer education. Curriculum developers should make Computer Education one of the core subjects to be offered in secondary schools. The State Ministries of Education through their Local Inspectors of Education (LIE) should monitor the implementation of Computer Education programme in Nigerian secondary schools.
REFERENCES
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