THE USE OF COMPUTER/ASSISTED INSTRUCTION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

1.0       INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The use of Computer-Assisted Instruction in teaching and learning i.e. dissemination of knowledge and instruction in Schools is the application of computer machine, related designs and programme in order to enhance effective teaching and also help in the growth and achievement of educational aims and objectives in Secondary Schools.

The history of computer in education has been variously characterized as an “accidental revolution” or “unthinking man and his thinking machines”. Others have said that computer revolution has changed the adage that “necessity is the mother of invention”, in a computer world to “invention is the mother of necessity”. It can be traced back to the 1960’s. However it is clear that innovators in this field have created some of the most provocative and stimulating ideas in the history and development of Education.

Broadly speaking the two major functions of education are to transmit the Culture, Values and Norms of the past to the current generations and also to prepare children for the world in which they will live. This task is becoming more difficult than ever but the use of computer and Computer-Assisted Instruction in teaching and learning i.e. disseminating knowledge and instruction in Secondary Schools has made education life easier to access and explore by both educational instructors and an average Secondary School pupil. The use of Computer-Assisted Instruction provides one to one interaction with a students as well as an instantaneous response to the answers elicited and to allow student to learn and proceed at their own pace.

Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) is the use of a computer programme to analyse data on learner’s performance and instructional progress as an aid to teachers in selecting learning activities. It helps in recording and reporting data on student progress and finding instructional activities which are most times consuming aspect of an educators  work, but having computers to assist these major activities free up teachers to spend more direct time with the students. The use of CAI uses specific skills and knowledge which is narrowed to a content area and grade range that can be used to help student through h problem processing such as word processors, news letter programmes, spreadsheets, data base, audio editor or presentation of data programmes. It also helps and enables individual students in Secondary Schools to have a full knowledge of the computer and also to be able to operate and work on a computer system.

1.2       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Several methods and techniques have been adopted by teachers and educational instructor and also government in order to encourage the appropriate use of CAI in Secondary Schools but this process has been encountering series of problem and challenges influence by the full implementation of this valuable idea to some economic factors. The following limiting factors hindering the full implementation of these noble idea are such as lack of stable power supply, political instability, inadequate funding by the government in Secondary Schools, unstable government policies, insecurities of life and properties, lack of trained and experienced teachers in Secondary Schools and lack of effective control of the use of CAI programme and educational software in Secondary Schools.

1.3       THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this research work is geared towards examining the process and methods through which Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) can be adopted in order to help in educational growth and learning environment in Secondary Schools. This study is prepared to educate, train the secondary schools teachers and secondary schools students to acquire the basic vocational skills and application of knowledge and facts of the computer work which will be an advantage to them in education.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The method and the techniques adopted to carry out this research work is by constructing suitable and relevant question that can be used to gather important information about the study in a logical and expository manner for the purpose of making effective and adequate decision and work.

The following research questions will be carefully examined to generate firsthand information from the people in selected location where this study is carried out.

1.      Who controls the effective use of computer designs programme and educational software in Secondary Schools?

2.      How can the role of teacher managed instruction, learner managed instruction and computer managed instruction be balanced in order to confront fundamental educational challenges in Secondary Schools?

3.      Does the use of CAI in Secondary Schools has any educational implication and negative effect in the acquisition of knowledge and facts in Secondary Schools?

4.      Can students be developed by a system with strong teacher and computer managed design and simultaneously become knowledgeable individuals who are strong at self regulation and self reliable in the society.

5.      Is the use of CAI affordable and easy to access in order to disseminate knowledge and instruction in Secondary Schools.

1.5       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study focuses on Secondary Schools in Odeda Local Government, Ogun State.

This study covered five (5) selected public Secondary Schools in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. The students of these schools constitute the subject of the study. The schools include;

1.      Asero High School, Asero.

2.      Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Osiele.

3.      Egba Odeda High School, Odeda.

4.      Orile-keesi Grammar School, Olodo.

5.      Orile-Ilugun Comprehensive High School, Orile-Ilugun

1.6       THE LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

There are some limiting factors that the researcher may encounter while carrying out this research work. Some of them are highlighted below

1.      Inadequate funding

2.      Unavailable of relevant materials

3.      Time consuming

1.7       DEFINITION OF TERMS

Computer: Is an electronic machine or device that can accept data, process it and bring out meaningful information as a result at a very high speed close to the speed of light.

Assist: To help in carrying out a process.

Instruction: Are orders or rules or laws given to a person with the aim of making a positive change and impacting knowledge.

Teaching: Is the skill of transfer of knowledge and discipline from a trained personality with higher evaluation and educational experience to a low learned person of little experience.

Learning: Acquisition of information, knowledge and values which is aimed at bringing out a positive impact in the person and also desired changes.

Disseminate: To impact, pass across give, demonstrate and also educate.

Knowledge: Are information gathered through training or experience.

Education: is a form of learning with which adequate knowledge skills, morals, discipline, values are transferred from one generation to another through the process of teaching, training, research and personal discovery. It is also the transmission of what is worthwhile in knowledge and skills from one generation to another in order to mould their behaviour for good.