AN EXAMINATION OF THE INCLUSION OF COMPUTER SCIENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM: PERSPECTIVE OF TEACHERS.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Computers have a significant history of existence. Today, computer technology has experienced a succession of modifications. According to Kremer (2005), a computer is an electrical machine that functions with amazing speed and dependability. Although originally, many felt it was inconceivable that a computer could be a scientific aspect of study, in the late fifties it progressively became acknowledged among the wider academic community. Computer science, which is the science that deals with the theory and technology of processing information in digits, It could also be regarded as the merging of principles, concepts, and applications of technology that underpins the availability of information. The information that a computer scientist uncovers, processes, stores, and communicates is frequently encoded in a computer memory. Computers were created to answer numerous mathematical problems in the early phases. But now, computers have progressed beyond that, and there is rarely any sector of life where a computer cannot be utilized.
In a continuously changing environment, basic education is vital for an individual to be able to acquire and utilize information. Such competence must involve the competent usage of a computer. The Economic Commission for Africa has highlighted that the skill to utilize computers for obtaining information is no longer a luxury, but a requirement for growth. Unfortunately, many developing nations, particularly in Africa, are still poor in computer application and usage (Aduwa, 2005).
Furthermore, the necessity for the integration of computer science in the education curriculum of Nigerian secondary schools cannot be overemphasized. In this technology-driven world, everyone needs ICT ability to live (Adom & Anie 2006). This demands for the early learning of computer skills by students. As a consequence, Oduroye (2002) emphasized the growth in demand for computer literacy in Nigeria. Thus, the study of computers as a subject in secondary schools is vital since, at this point, education is fundamental and critical to the child’s future growth.
The inclusion of computer science as a subject in the secondary school education curriculum is to acquaint learners with the usage of computer systems and associated social and ethical concerns. It allows users the option to handle words, photos, figures, music, sound, video, etc., and to process data by analyzing, organizing, storing, retrieving, displaying, and communicating. According to IFIP-UNESCO (2006), computer science is such an essential subject that it aids the industrial and commercial progress of a nation. The introduction of computer science into the secondary school curricula will allow students to access, choose and analyze information, detect patterns, correlations and behavior model and speculate. It further enables students to assess dependability and correctness, examine and revise their work to enhance the quality, connect with others and increase efficiency, be creative and take chances, and acquire confidence and independence (Dreyfus, 2001).
The inclusion of computer science would also have an impact on how students learn school subjects because it would enable students to experiment and learn from feedback, think logically and develop problem-solving skills; observe, explore and explain patterns in number, shape, and data; make and test hypotheses and predictions which can be based on large amounts of The effect of computer machines on the teaching and learning of school topics would also help students to form generalizations that might be based on experimental data and increase vocabulary and language skills (Briggs 2002).
Furthermore, the inclusion of computer science in secondary school, among other things, will expose its usefulness in many areas like computer awareness, computer appreciation, basic computer operations and concepts, computer application, computer ethics and human issues, information age, information communication technology, computer problem solving skills, computer application package and many more (Simonsori 1998).
The spread of computers to many sectors of life has made knowledge about computers vital for all secondary school levels.
1. 2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Despite the relevance of computers in the education system, numerous issues have inhibited the development and acceptance of computer science in Nigerian secondary schools. Such issues vary from a lack of interest in computer science on the side of the students to a lack of devotion on the part of the teachers. The issue we have today in a developing nations like Nigeria is to discover a manner of confronting the existing obstacles that limit the full implementation of teaching computer science. It is also emphasized that the inclusion of computer science in secondary school curriculums influences students' understanding in numerous ways. An example is pupils' viewing porn videos on the computer system. All of these spurred the need to research teachers’ perspectives of the integration of computer science in the secondary school curriculum.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The primary goal of this research is to investigate teachers' perspectives on the inclusion of computer science in the secondary school curriculum in Kogi State.
i. Determine the teachers' perspectives on the benefits of including computer science in the curriculum for students.
ii. Ascertain whether the inclusion of computer science in the school curriculum will have a negative effect on the moral standards of students.
iii. Identify the factors affecting the effective implementation of computer science in schools in Kogi State.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions are answered in the research study:
i. How will the inclusion of computer science in the school curriculum benefit students?
ii. Will the inclusion of computer science in the school curriculum have a negative effect on the moral standards of students?
iii. What are the factors affecting the effective implementation of computer science in schools in Kogi State?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research should increase the current corpus of information about instructors. Perception of the Inclusion of Computer science in Secondary School Curriculum. Teachers and Administrators must be increasingly exposed to the influence of Computer science in (Nigerian) Secondary Schools.
Government, Ministries, Publishers and other Curriculum creators will be educated on teachers’ view on the Inclusion of Computer science in Secondary Schools. Students’ awareness of the idea, history and importance of Computers is strengthened in the study. Furthermore, the research study should supply a valuable guidance to researchers who would explore into connected subject.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research study investigates the perception of teachers towards the inclusion of computer science in the secondary school curriculum in Kogi State. The study is delimited to the three stated research questions, while the respondents for the study will be both male and female teachers in the eight selected secondary schools in Kogi State.
1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Computer: A computer is an electronic machine that accepts information, stores it until the information is needed, processes the information according to the instructions provided by the user, and finally returns the results to the user.
Computer science: Teaching and Learning of the usage, application and maintenance of computer.
Inclusion: integration of computer science into school time table as teaching subject.
Teachers’ Perception: The opinion or view of Secondary School teachers towards the inclusion of Computer science in school curriculum.
Curriculum: program of study in the school system (which is channeled to guide the students learning outcome). Such as teaching subjects.
Hardware: This refers to the physical units on machines (computer) which make up the computer configuration.
Software: This is the term used for all sorts of program that run on the hardware system of a computer.
Secondary School:- is a school which provide secondary education, for students between the ages of 11 and 16 or 11 and 19, after primary school and before higher education.
Education:- The act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
Find Other related topics on:
NOT THE TOPIC YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?
Once payment is made, kindly send us your project topic, email address and payment name to +234 810 144 4147
Once payment is confirmed, Project materials will be sent to your email
This study was carried out to examine the availability and utilization of school library resources and academic performance in selected secondary schools in Ethiope East Local Government, Delta State.
This study was carried out to examine impact of Coronavirus on private school owners, economy, teachers and students using selected private schools in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Osun State as case study. Specifically, the study aimed at Discover...
This study is entitled: effects of instructional materials in teaching and learning of government secondary schools. The study was guided two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 significance level.
This study was carried out to examine domestic violence against women and its impact on children development using Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State as case study.
The study was carried out to determine the influence of availability and adequacy of agricultural science teachers on the performance of secondary school student in Gombe state, Nigeria. In order to achieve this objective, three specific objectives w...
unlike other types of disasters, pandemics target not physical infrastructure, but the very human infrastructure which is most necessary to combat them.
unlike other types of disasters, pandemics target not physical infrastructure, but the very human infrastructure which is most necessary to combat them.
The advent of the COVID pandemic has not only revealed the poor state of infrastructure and facilities in the health sector of Nigeria but also revealed the reality of the dilapidation and poor funding of the education sector.
This study will be of significance to the government to bring to their knowledge ways on curbing the crisis between religious groups and Muslim group on the mandatory use of hijabs in missionary school administration.
The abrupt downturn in economic activity has had a significant impact across many sectors, with international students facing the loss of their part time jobs or reduced or lost incomes, which could have an impact on their ability to continue their s...
Message Us on WhatsApp »
