IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
ABSTRACT
This study examined the impact of computer literacy among science teachers on students’ academic performance in Biology in secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area. Two research questions and hypotheses guided the study. This research adopted a survey design. The population for the study consisted of 10 Biology teachers and 2055 Senior Secondary Two (SS2) students.
The sample size consisted of 4 Biology teachers and 200 senior Secondary Two (SS2) students selected using simple random sampling. The main instruments for data collection were a questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Computer Literacy among Science Teachers (QCLST)” and the raw scores of students in Biology in 2017/2018 academic session. The data collected were analyzed using independent-test statistical technique.
The result of the study revealed that there is a significant difference in the academic performance of students taught Biology by teachers with knowledge of internet facilities utilization and those taught by teachers without knowledge of internet facilities utilization; and that there is no significant difference in academic performance of male and female students taught Biology by teachers with knowledge of internet facilities utilization in secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area.
Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the Government should encourage the professional teachers especially in science related subjects through incentives, allowances and provision of the necessary computer facilities for science teachers to use in teaching Biology.
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Science is the bedrock on which modern day technology breakthrough is hinged. It is also a systematic study of the nature of the behavior of the material and physical universe through observation, experimentation, measurement and recording. Fape (2017) defined science as rationally structured knowledge about nature which embraces systematic methods of positive attitudes for its acquisition, teaching, learning and application.
The objectives of science education in this country according to Maduekwe (2016) include the need to prepare students to observe and explore the environment, explain simple natural phenomena, develop scientific attitudes including curiosity, critical thinking and objectivity, apply the skills and knowledge gained through science to solve everyday problems in the environment, develop self-confidence and self-reliance through problem solving activities in science.
Since the world is turning scientific and all proper functioning of lives depend greatly on science. According to Ogunleye (2016), science is a dynamic human activity concerned with understanding the workings of our world. This understanding helps to know more about the universe. Without the application of science, it would have been difficult for man to explore the other planets of the universe. Science comprises the basic discipline such as physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology.
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Biology as a branch of natural science deals with the study of life (plants and animals). As a science, the study of biology can be facilitated through the use of natural resources for demonstration or investigation of biological facts or phenomenon. Biology as a science course is taught at the senior secondary school level so as to prepare the students for the core science courses at the tertiary level of education.
This implies that for students to be able to study science and other science related courses at the tertiary level of education successfully, such students have to be well grounded in Biology at senior secondary school level. In view of this, Biology is given great emphasis in senior secondary school curriculum. Thus Biology provides students with the ability to acquire:
- adequate laboratory and field skills in biology;
- meaningful and relevant knowledge in biology;
- ability to apply scientific knowledge to everyday life in matters of personal and community health and agriculture; and
- functional and reasonable scientific attitudes (FRN, 2014).
Biology education involves much manipulation of current and relevant materials by students and a clear look at the contents in biology shows that for a successful attainment of the goals of the subject, a lot of practical and field work must be done by students using necessary equipment and apparatuses. Without this necessary equipment, students will not be able to meet the objectives of this subject.
Similarly, as a teacher it may be very difficult to find some of the original materials and equipment for effective teaching of Biology and may also find it difficult to get updated information without the use information and communication technology.
Moreover, during the last decades the government and agencies have invested heavily in the integration of computer in education and information and communication technology (ICT) towards advancing the educational sector. The use of computer has imparted positively in education (teaching methodologies, research and development, information technologies) and other related areas. Computer literacy is the knowledge and ability to efficiently use computer. It can also refer to the comfort level someone can use the computer and its application in solving specific problem.
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
It involves being able to operate the computer efficiently without an aid and manipulate the software associated with it, Nwafor (2015). Improving education quality is a priority for most developing nations such that policy makers agree that such improvements could lead to structural shifts in productivity and boost long term economic growth. The use of ICT in the school environment can improve education and human capital development.
The use of computer in classroom instruction has transformed teaching and learning and has improved learning outcome and information sharing between the teachers and the students. It has supported both the teachers and students for an improvement of the teaching and learning process.
Computer literacy is of great important in education but is faced with numerous problems ranging from lack of fund for the purchase of computer and its accessories, lack of resource personnels, non-utilization of ICT for the teaching and learning process (Albert, 2015). It is against this background that the study focused on investigating the influence of computer literacy among secondary school science teachers on students’ academic performance in Biology in Ini Local Government Area.
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
1.2 Statement of Problem
The integration of computer into the teaching and learning process in Nigeria’s institutions (nursery, primary, post-primary and tertiary) is of welcome development toward improvement and advancement of education in line with the global standard. But it would be meaningless if facilities are not provided, resource personnel not available to operate and maintain them.
ICT facilities where available, are not used in the teaching and learning process. These problems will affect the positive impact of such technological integration in our schools. Since the integration of computer into the secondary school system in Ini Local Government Area, is considered as a major tool for the teachers and the students for an improved teaching and learning process.
This motivated the researcher to ask “could computer literacy among teachers influence students’ performance in Biology?”. The quest for finding answer to this question motivated this research to be conducted on the effect of computer literacy among science teachers on students’ academic performance in Biology in secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area.
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of computer literacy among science teachers on students’ academic performance in Biology in secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area. Specifically, this study sought to:
- compare the academic performance of students taught Biology by teachers’ with good knowledge of internet facilities and students taught biology by teachers without good knowledge of internet facilities.
- examine the academic performance of male and female students taught Biology by teachers’ with good knowledge of internet facilities.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study will be of great significance to the students, teachers, curriculum planners; ministries of education, government and society at large. This study will contribute towards improvement of computer literacy in the state as well making provision on the impact, benefits as well addressing the challenges of such technological innovations in our schools.
School administrators and teachers of secondary schools could also find the result of this study valuable in policy formulation, implementation and importance of being a computer literate. The findings of this study, if discussed in workshops and seminars will guide the choice of recruitment of teachers in the teaching/learning process in biology and other subject areas. To future researchers: the study will provide a source of data for researches on this topic and other related areas.
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
1.5 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated to guide the study in line with the study:
- What is the difference in academic performance of students taught Biology by teachers with knowledge of internet facilities utilization and those taught by teachers without knowledge of internet facilities utilization?
- To what extent does male and female students’ academic performance in Biology differ when taught by teachers with knowledge of internet facilities utilization?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:
- There is no significant difference in academic performance of students taught Biology by teachers with knowledge of internet facilities utilization and those taught by teachers without knowledge of internet facilities utilization.
- There is no significant difference in academic performance of male and female students taught Biology by teachers with knowledge of internet facilities utilization.
1.7 Delimitation of the Study
The study was delimited to computer literacy among science teachers on students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area. The study concentrated on selected Biology teachers and from selected public secondary schools in Ini Local Government Area. The study was also delimited to academic performance of male and female students in senior secondary two classes in the 2017/2018 academic session in Ini Local Government Area.
1.8 Definition of Terms
The following terms are defined as used in this study:
Computer Literacy: Computer literacy is the knowledge and ability to use internet facilities efficiently in the teaching of Biology.
Academic Performance: It is a grades achieved by students in an examination in Biology.
Biology: This is the study of living things (plants and animals).
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
This chapter deals with the review of literature related to this study. It was done under the following sub-headings
2.1 Concept of the Computer Literacy
2.2 Computer Literacy among Science Teachers and Academic Performance of Students
2.3 Gender Differences and Academic Performance of Students Based on Teachers’ level of Computer Literacy
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
IMPACT OF COMPUTER LITERACY AMONG SCIENCE TEACHERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
