PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS OF TEACHING LEARNING OF COMPUTER SCIENCE EFFECTIVELY IN THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
ABSTRACT
This research work titled “problems and possible solutions of teaching-learning of computer science effectively in the junior secondary schools”. A case study of Enugu urban in Enugu state. This study was embarked on in order to discover the problems militating against the teaching of computer science effectively in the junior secondary schools. The statement of the problems were teaching methods and inadequate techniques, unconducive environment for teaching and learning of computer science, the teachers knowledge of the subject matter, unavailability qualified computer science teachers and textbooks, lack of computer systems and their accessories.The population of the study includes all the junior secondary schools teachers in Enugu urban comprising of thirty five ( 35) the government owned junior secondary schools. And it is made up of one hundred and five (105) computer science teachers in all the junior secondary schools. And the results from the research questionnaires given to the respondents showed that in all the research questions that most of respondents agreed to the stated problems. we were also able to discover that inadequate teaching methods and techniques, unavailability of qualified computer science teachers and textbooks also constitute those problems found in the teaching and learning of computer science.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Computer science education as it was stipulated by the National policy on education (2004) in Nigeria is one of pre-vocational subjects in the junior secondary schools. The aim and objectives of the federal government in these pre-vocational subjects mostly is that at the end of Nine years of passing through it should posses an appropriate level of literacy, numeracy, communication, manipulative and problems solving skills in order to be employable and useful to oneself and the society at large. According to Abimbola (1998) the use of computer in our educational sector was a growing phenomenon, because searching for work in internet requires the knowledge of computer. The use of computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) in Education also requires in-depth knowledge of computer. According to Olaitan (2000) he stated, in recognition of the prominent role of information and communication technology (ICT) in educational system requires the knowledge of computers. Since our schools are sweeping along on the incoming tide of new teaching techniques. The old methods used in teaching and learning of computer science are becoming increasingly inadequate. Therefore this work is an attempt to find out the possible solution to all these problems in the study of computer science.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
According to Webster’s comprehensive dictionary (2004) problem is any pressing circumstance or a preposition in which some operation is required. According to Oxfords advanced learners dictionary (2000) problem is any doubtful matter that requires a solution. Problem according to Omemma (2009) is a condition that requires a given solution. In our own opinion, problem can be seen as a difficult situation or a doubtful matter that requires a given solution.
Solution according to oxford Advanced dictionary (2000) is seen as a means by which the unknown is made to be known. In Webster’s comprehensive dictionary (2004) it is seen as the act of solving a problem. According to Okwor (2002) solution is a situation that put a problem to a final stop. In our own opinion we believe that solution is a process by which a difficult matter or situation is revealed.
National policy on education (2004) regarded teaching and learning as a process by which information and knowledge is transferred. It is also a process by which worthwhile values are shared (Ocho 1998). Teaching learning according to Webster’s comprehensive dictionary (2004) is the act of obtaining knowledge from instruction. From our own view, teaching-learning is seen as a process by which worthwhile knowledge and idea are been transferred in form of a given instruction between people.According to Abimbola (1998) in Nigeria Journal of technical education computer science is a systematic systematic study of an electronic device which is manufactured to accept an ordered sequence of instructions given to it in an appropriate language. Abdullahi (2004) says that computer science is one of the science subjects that deals with study of a machine that can receive instructions, recalls these instructions, carry out the instructions and gives a feedback on its actions. According to oxford Advanced learners dictionary (2000) computer sciences is the study of computers and how they can be used. In our own view, computer science is a subject that deals with appreciation and application of computers.
Junior secondary school as it was stipulated by National policy on education (2004) in Nigeria is an educational institution for the children between the ages of 11-13years No wonder the world educational encyclopedia volume 3 says that government regards junior secondary school as an educational institution where the necessary infrastructure and training for the integration of information, communication and technology (ICT) in the schools. At this level of education, it is believed that the necessary skills and ideas have been acquired, but the standard of education is fast declining. Ejili (2002) stated that critical appraisal of the falling standard shows that there are several variables responsible for this. The world is fast becoming a global village. For that the use of computer in educational system is now a growing phenomenon.
The dependent variable for this study is the solution, where problem is the independent variable. This is because the solution depends the problems which are encountered in the teaching and learning of computer science in the junior secondary school.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The problems of this study therefore, are what the researchers set out to find out whether.
1. Teaching methods and inadequate techniques are part of the problems,
2. Uncondusive environments for teaching and learning of computer science constitute the problem.
3. Poor learning attitudes of teacher and students are the problem:
4. The teacher’s knowledge of the subject is matter is the problem.
5. Inavailability of qualified computer science teachers are part of the problem;
6. Lack of computer systems and their accessories constitute the problems,
7. Lack of teaching aids and computer textbooks militate against the effective teaching learning of computer science in schools, and to fund out.
8. what the possible solutions of the challenges will be like.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The major aim of this study is to examine the problems and possible solutions of teaching and learning of computer science effectively in the junior secondary schools.The specific objectives of the study to find out whether
i. Teaching methods and inadequate techniques are part of these problems
ii. Uncondusive environment for teaching and learning of computer science constitute the problems.i
ii. Poor learning attitudes of teaching and students are the problems,
iv. The teachers knowledge of the subject matter is the problems
v. Inavailability of qualified computer science teachers are part of he problems.
vi. Lack of computer systems and their accessories constitute the problems.
vii. Lack of teaching aids ad computer textbooks militate against the effective teaching and learning of computer science in schools, and to find out.
viii. What the possible solutions of the challenges will be like.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The result of this study may be beneficial to:-
i. The teachers
ii. The students
iii. The society
iv. The parents/guardians
v. The government
vi. Further researchers.
The result of this study will be able
i. Assist the teachers in the use of instructional materials and other techniques in the teaching and learning of computer science.
ii. It will help the students to change their attitudes towards the learning of computer science.
iii. It help the society to have the desirable skills and knowledge that is worthwhile.
iv. It will enable the parents/ guardians to in understand the behaviors of the children
v. It may aid the government in devising policy’s that will increase the rate of teaching and learning.
vi. It may serve as vital information for further researchers.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is centered on the students of the public junior secondary schools within the Enugu urban area in Enugu state and to examine whether:-
i. Teaching methods and learning of computer the problem.
ii. Uncondusive environment for teaching and learning of computer science constitute the problem.
iii. Poor learning attitude of teachers and students are the problem,
iv. The teacher’s knowledge of the subject matter is the problem,
v. Inavailability of qualified computer science teachers are part of the problems.
vi. Lack of computer system and their accessories constitute the problem.
vii. Lack of teaching aids and computer textbooks militate against the effective teaching and learning of computer in schools and to find out.
viii. What the possible solutions of the challenges will be like.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following questions guided the researchers
(i) Do teaching methods and inadequate techniques constitute the problems?
(ii) Do uncondusive environments for teaching and learning computer science constitute the problems?
(iii) Do the poor attitudes of teachers and students make up the problems?
(iv) Is the teacher’s knowledge of the subjects matter part of the problems?
(v) Does the unavailability of qualified computer science teachers and textbooks constitute the problems?
(vi) Do the lack of computer system and their accessories constitute the problem?