AN EXAMINATION OF THE USE OF COMPUTERS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

In recent years, computers have been utilized widely by a diverse range of user groups for a variety of purposes. Children of school age utilize computers for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, communication, and education. Computers and associated technologies have gotten increasingly affordable and sophisticated in recent years as a result of technological advancements. It's for this reason that families are both able and eager to purchase computers for their children. They intend to provide them with the opportunity to become proficient computer users. According to Lauman (2000), "not only is the number of computers in school rising rapidly, but the number of computers in the household is growing at a high pace as well." In spite of the expansion in the number of computers and similar technologies, not everyone has the same level of access to these technologies: "Media availability varies based on such factors as the child's age, gender, race/ethnicity, family socioeconomic situation, and so on." S. Roberts, R. Greenwald, and R. Lame collaborated on this project (1999). Additionally, the economic status of the nations may have an impact on the availability of media for school-age children, whether at school or at home.

According to Ortiz (2011), parents feel that utilizing computers may improve their children's academic accomplishment as well as future employment chances; as a result, they purchase laptops with an internet connection to assist their children in succeeding in school (Turow K., 1999). Students may put into practice what they have learned at school thanks to the computer revolution of today, which delivers cheaper and better home PCs (Stock and Fishman, 2010). Becker C. (2000) discovered that children are more likely to use their home computers for pleasure than for school-related objectives, despite the fact that scholars generally believe that computers are helpful for learning possibilities. There are innumerable tasks that may be accomplished via the use of computer apps, and some of these applications may have unintended consequences on the development of children. For example, computer games may be seen as a waste of time by some parents as a waste of time. They may, on the other hand, have beneficial impacts on children's cognitive development (Hamlen K., 2011; Li and Atkins, 2004). Children may learn how to "understand and use the information on computer displays" if they spend enough time in front of a computer screen (Subrahmanyam, 2001). Because certain apps demand users to maintain track of or handle many activities at the same time, using computers may also help youngsters develop their visual attention.

Computer technology has significantly affected the way business is performed and how people interact in a variety of industries, including commerce and manufacturing, multinational businesses, and individual families. Computers have become a regular sight in the classrooms of this country's institutions, particularly in the sector of education. Numerous investigations have discovered that the computer laboratory is essential to the teaching of science in secondary schools (Abrams and Waridersee, 1995). Essentially, they are computer workshops in which practical exercises are carried out in order to facilitate meaningful learning about computing ideas, theories, and hypotheses (Seweje R., 2000). Laboratory work is essential to school education, and it has been discovered that it is the most effective vehicle for developing formal reasoning abilities and students' knowledge, hence improving desired learning outcomes in pupils (Jeske, 1990; Ogunleye, 2002).

Students often fail to gain computer skills because their instructors are unable to perform practical lessons as effectively as they would want, and this always has unavoidable repercussions for students' learning outcomes. All of this demonstrates the significance that schools place on computer labs, and it is this relevance that inspired the researcher to investigate the relationship between computer laboratories and students' performance in secondary schools. Several published research on the link between computer usage and academic success in relation to computer laboratory instruction have shown that this technology may improve student outcomes. As a result, the purpose of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of computer labs in connection to the academic performance of secondary school pupils.

1.2       Statement of the problem

When it comes to academic accomplishment, the usage of computers is a topic that is being investigated in this research. The employment of computers in schools seems to have been dogged by a slew of issues ranging from insufficient budget to brain drain, nepotism, and other potential societal calamities (Seweje R., 2000). In the management of public secondary schools, these vices seem to be undermining the formerly valued and appreciated quality of service that had previously existed. As a result, it is necessary to investigate the impact of computer usage on students' academic results.

1.3      Objective of Study

The general objective of the study is the use of computer on students academic achievements. Hence, the specific objective of this study are:

1. To examine the availability of computers in schools

2. To find out the effect of the use of computer on the academic achievements of students.

3. To investigate the benefit of using computer on students academic achievement.

4. To investigate student challenges in the use of computer.

1.4       Research Questions

The study intends to answer the following research questions;

1. Is there an availability of computers in schools?

2. What is the effect of the use of computer on the academic achievements of students?

3. What are the benefit of using computer on students academic achievement?

4. What are student challenges in the use of computer?

1.5       Significant of the study

This study will be significant to the government as it will be exposed to the need of including computer education into the curriculum and also provide schools with computers for student in other for their good academic achievement.

The study will significant to the school management as they will be exposed to the need of employing qualified teachers who can teach computer in other for students academic achievement.

The study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.6 Scope of the study

This study will examine the availability of computers in schools. The study will also find out the effect of the use of computer on the academic achievements of students. The study will further investigate the benefit of using computer on students academic achievement. Lastly, the study will investigate student challenges in the use of computer. Hence the study will be delimited to Niger State.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers 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 (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage 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: an electronic device for storing and processing data, typically in binary form, according to instructions given to it in a variable program

Academic achievement: performance outcomes that indicate the extent to which a person has accomplished specific goals that were the focus of activities in instructional environments, specifically in school, college, and university