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The study was designed to determine the strategies for improving teaching of computer science in selected secondary school in otukpo LGA Benue state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study seeks to identify the strategies for promoting effective Teaching and Learning of Computer science in Otukpo LGA Benue state. The research design employed was descriptive survey design. The population for the study consisted of all the secondary school teachers and students in the school. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample respondents used for the study. The structure questionnaire on a four point scale was used as the instrument for data collection. It was validated by the supervisor and two other lecturers; one from the area of the study and the other from measurement and evaluation. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.99 using Pearson"s formula. Data collected were analyzed using mean score. The researcher made these recommendations that: School administrators should ensure that computer teachers are sponsored on retraining programs at least twice a year. The school administrators should as a matter of urgency communicates with private sectors to provide computers and other instructional materials needed for teaching of Computer science. In the area of funding, the government, stakeholders etc. should assist in provision of computers and constant maintains of these computers, improving electricity supply, proper funding of schools, improving our educational system generally etc for it will enhance effective teaching and learning of computer education in schools.

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

Computer is rapidly becoming available to many individuals in our society and there is no doubt that it is affecting the way we live and do things today. Computer now plays a vital role in almost every aspect of our life. Computers are now fundamental component of our schools, health care etc. Our banking system and investment cannot function effectively without computers. Some of our medical and scientific facilities now depend entirely upon computer based system. In fact, every day it gets harder to find any type business, educational institutions or a government office that does not use computers and Information, Communication Technology (ICT) in some ways. There is probably no better indication of how advanced a society is than how computerized it is.

As computer began to find usage in a variety of fields, more people have learnt how to use or operate them resulting in an effective teaching and learning in society. This is a total shift from the past when only highly trained specialized employees know how to use computers. Today, computer usage has moved from computer specialists to non-computer specialists. Currently there is a steady increase in the number of people undergoing one form of computer training or the other to be able to fit in a world of technological changes. Again, one of the fundamental demands in many established interviews for job seeker is computer literacy skill. Many people have failed to secure jobs which they are qualified for only for lack of knowledge and skills in computer operations (Ayogu, 2008).

The use of computer as a facility is possible and necessary in our school system. Its use can aid communication among students. Computer communication has played and is still playing an important role, not only in schools, but also in offices, hospitals, libraries and in homes. At the secondary school level, computers enable the students communicate at fast, accurate and convenient pace to other people through e-mail. In computer training institutes, business centres, schools, companies etc. computer training for effective teaching and learning programs are being organized to meet the yearnings of the National Policy on Education which stipulates that computer training should be organized in order to enhance effective teaching and learning of computer concepts in schools as the Federal Ministry of Education introduced Computer science at all levels of education in Nigeria (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004).

The term Computer science have been used interchangeably. In some cases it has been referred to as computer education while in other cases it is called computer literacy. In whatever way, it means the same thing. Computer education is the effort or the ability to make the generality of the people computer literate. They went further to state that computer education (literacy) means ability to tell the computer what you want it to do and understand what the computer says. Computer literacy as the ability to be able to read, write and speak the language of the computer. It can also be looked at as a process of educating the people on how to use a computer to run a program and diverse application including business, industry and commerce (Okorie, 2001). Computer science according to Edhuze (2003) involve teaching and inculcating in the learner the basic skills required to independently manipulate the computer to achieve educational goals. He further stated that, Computer science as a subject is aimed at making students acquire skills and competencies required in this digital word of competitiveness. Such basic skills and competencies upon graduation make them conversant with term and practices embedded in the world of computer. Computer science are therefore a subject organized to enable people understand the function, uses and limitations of the computer and to provide an opportunity for the study of the modern methods of information processing. However, computer science, computer related courses and other subjects are now offered in schools: (primary, secondary and tertiary institutions). Sending and receiving data electronically will take only a few seconds. In information processing, computer can sort or search through huge amount of information in a flash. Computer communication makes any information needed easily and widely available irrespective of distant between the two destinations. But the effort to ensure effective teaching and learning among students has not been without challenges and setbacks. In schools especially in secondary school level, some schools have computers but no qualify computer teacher to teach while some have been hearing of computer but have not seen it with their eyes. Government has been promising schools on the provision of computer and its facilities without fulfilling their promises. We all know too well that computer has a lot of benefits and it is very important to impart the knowledge to the younger once for they are the leaders of tomorrow still the government and schools don"t want to implement it effectively in schools.

Some strategies need to be looked at since it has really affect effective teaching and learning of computer in secondary schools. Firstly, most of the teachers who are supposed to teach these computer assisted instruction are posted to urban schools and even those in the urban schools are inadequate while others does not have the basic knowledge of computers, since one cannot teach another what he/she does not know. Secondly, is lack of fund. In places where there are teachers with such basic knowledge of computer there has been problem of inadequate finance to purchase computer that be used for the studies. Thirdly, is the problem of instructional facilities like electricity. Computer instrument can only be possible with the help of electricity but since most of the secondary schools under this study is located in place where there is no electricity, it becomes very difficult.

Again, there is no better indication of how advance a society is than how computerized for technology rule the world. It is in this view that the researcher embarked on this study in order to highlight the ways forward in enhancing effective teaching and learning of computer education in secondary schools especially in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

Computer according to Alo (2006) is an electronic machine or device that is capable of accepting inputs or data through input devices, process the input and generates appropriate results which are displayed through the output devices.
Strategies are a general plan or set of plans intended to achieve something. It is also a method or plan chosen to bring about a desired future such as achievement of goal.

Teaching is the act of instructing. Teaching is a set of events, outside the learners which are designed to support internal process of learning. Learning is the process of acquiring new or modifying existing knowledge, behaviours, skills, values etc. It is also the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The contemporary breakthrough in science and technology has created the need to use technological devices to do things that were manually done before. This includes the use of computer in many areas in human endevours.
In the academic community, the use of computer for teaching and learning has been encouraged by many educationists. But to what extent computer has improved teaching and learning is another serious area of attention. The use of computer has enhance teaching and learning but not without some fundamental problems. Some teachers who are not computer literate do not see the need to use computer to teach.

In another vain, electricity that powers the computers are not usually present in the sense that there is low supply of electricity across the nation. This has affected the use of computer to teach in schools.

The high costs of computer system and non-availability of some software packages have hindered the effective use of computer for teaching and learning in school.

The poor attitude of some teachers toward the use of computer reduces the effective use of computer in teaching and learning.

Poor performance of students in secondary school certification examination WAEC and other computer base examinations like JAMB is caused by many factors such as lack of computers and its facilities in schools, not allowing students to have access to the computer especially during practical classes, teachers teaching computer without being well trained in Computer science, not employing ICT experts to assist and help train secondary school teachers. It is against this back drop that the researcher is carrying out a work on the strategies for effective teaching and learning of Computer science in secondary schools.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main objective of the study is an investigation on strategies for improving teaching of computer science in selected secondary school in Otukpo LGA Benue state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study seeks to:

The funding strategies for improving the teaching of Computer science in secondary school in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

The strategies for improving the availability and quality of instructional facilities required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary school in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

The strategies for improving teaching methodology required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary school in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

The strategies for improving the availability and quality of human resources required for the teaching of Computer science in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

1.5 Research Questions

What are the funding strategies required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary schools in Otukpo LGA Benue state?

What are the strategies for improving the availability and quality of instructional facilities required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary schools in Otukpo LGA Benue state?

What are the strategies for improving teaching methodologies required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary schools in Otukpo LGA Benue state?

What are the strategies for improving the supply and quality of human resources required for the teaching Computer science in Otukpo LGA Benue state?

1.5 Hypotheses of the Study

Four null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and will be tested at 0.05 level of significance.

H01: There is no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean response of principal, vice-principal and teachers on the strategies for improving the funding strategies required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary school in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

H02: There is no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean responses of principal, vice-principal and teachers on the strategies for improving the availability and quality of instructional facilities required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary schools in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

H03: There is no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean responses of principal, vice-principal and teachers on the strategies for improving teaching methodologies required for the teaching of Computer science in secondary schools in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

H04: There is no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mean responses of principal, vice-Principal and teachers on the strategies for improving the availability and quality of human resources required for teaching of Computer science in secondary schools in Otukpo LGA Benue state. ?

1.6 Significance of the Study

This work will be beneficial to the following groups and personalities: the ministry of education, students, parents, organizations, teachers, computer software manufacturers, educational researchers etc. The ministry of education will find this work relevant by accessing the findings on the effective strategies to be adopted so that the use of computers in secondary schools will be effective.

The students who are longing for improvement in their academic pursuit will find the work helpful as different strategies will be itemized on the best approach to use computer to teach.

The parents and guardians will have to key in to the modern means of teaching and learning in schools. The parents will be encouraged to buy computer system and its packages for their children to use for teaching and learning.

Different organizations that are interested in sponsoring school program will find this work easy to supply computer systems to be used in school to enhance teaching and learning. Teachers will see the need to use it as the modern means of teaching to enhance teaching and learning in schools.

Educational researchers will propel the best means of using computer to browse for information, teach and learn in institutions of higher learning, by encouraging students to learn more.

1.7 Scope of the Study:

The study intends to determine the strategies for effective teaching and learning of Computer science in secondary schools in Otukpo LGA Benue state.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Motivation:

This the process through which individual are charged to increase their action or performance either by internal or external factors.

Academic Performance:

This is used in the study to refers to students" attitude to competition for excellent in their attitude toward participating in classroom activities and home work. It also used to students" interest in learning.

1.10 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.

Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.

Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.

Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.

Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

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