AN EXAMINATION OF THE USE OF COMPUTER ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

AN EXAMINATION OF THE USE OF COMPUTER ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

Computers have been widely used in recent years by a diverse range of user groups for a variety of purposes. Computers are used by school-aged children for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, communication, and education. As a result of technological advancements, computers and related technologies have become more affordable and sophisticated in recent years. As a result, families are both able and eager to buy computers for their children. They intend to give them the opportunity to become skilled computer users. According to Lauman (2000), “not only is the number of computers in schools rapidly increasing, but the number of computers in households is rapidly increasing as well.” Despite the increase in the number of

Not everyone has equal access to computers and similar technologies: “Media availability varies based on such factors as the child’s age, gender, race/ethnicity, family socioeconomic situation, and so on.” This project was co-created by S. Roberts, R. Greenwald, and R. Lame (1999). Furthermore, the economic status of the countries may influence the availability of media for school-age children, whether at school or at home.

According to Ortiz (2011), parents believe that using computers will improve their children’s academic achievement as well as future employment opportunities; as a result, they purchase laptop computers with internet connections to help their children succeed in school (Turow K., 1999). Students can apply what they have learned in school because of to today’s computer revolution, which provides cheaper and better home PCs (Stock and Fishman, 2010). Despite the fact that scholars generally believe that computers are beneficial for learning opportunities, Becker C. (2000) discovered that children are more likely to use their home computers for pleasure than for school-related purposes. There are numerous tasks that can be completed using computer apps, and some of these applications may have unintended consequences for children’s development. Computer games, for example, may be viewed as a waste of time by some parents. They may, however, have a positive impact on children’s cognitive development (Hamlen K., 2011; Li and Atkins, 2004). Children may be taught to “understand.”

If they spend enough time in front of a computer screen, they will be able to “use the information on computer displays” (Subrahmanyam, 2001). Because certain apps require users to keep track of or manage multiple activities at once, using computers may also help children develop their visual attention.

Computer technology has had a significant impact on how businesses operate and how people interact in a wide range of industries, including commerce and manufacturing, multinational corporations, and individual families. Computers have become commonplace in the classrooms of this country’s institutions, particularly in the education sector. Several studies have found that the computer laboratory is critical to the teaching of science in secondary schools (Abrams and Waridersee, 1995). They are essentially computer workshops with hands-on exercises.

are carried out to promote meaningful learning about computing concepts, theories, and hypotheses (Seweje R., 2000). Laboratory work is essential in school, and it has been discovered that it is the most effective vehicle for developing formal reasoning abilities and student knowledge, thereby improving desired learning outcomes in students (Jeske, 1990; Ogunleye, 2002).

Students frequently fail to learn computer skills because their instructors are unable to deliver practical lessons as effectively as they would like, which has unavoidable consequences for students’ learning outcomes. All of this demonstrates the importance that schools place on computer labs, and it is this importance that inspired the researcher to investigate the relationship between computer labs and secondary school students’ performance. Several studies have been published.

studies on the relationship between computer use and academic success in relation to computer laboratory instruction have revealed that this technology may improve student outcomes. As a result, the goal of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of computer labs in relation to secondary school students’ academic performance.

1.2 Definition of the problem

When it comes to academic achievement, the use of computers is a topic being investigated in this study. The use of computers in schools appears to have been hampered by a slew of issues ranging from a lack of funds to brain drain, nepotism, and other potential societal calamities (Seweje R., 2000). These vices appear to be undermining the previously valued and respected management of public secondary schools.

appreciated quality of service that had previously existed. As a result, it is necessary to investigate the impact of computer use on academic performance in students.

1.3 Purpose of Research

The study’s overarching goal is to examine the impact of computer use on students’ academic achievements. As a result, the following are the study’s specific objectives:

i. Investigate the availability of computers in schools

ii. To investigate the impact of computer use on students’ academic performance.

iii. To investigate the impact of computer use on students’ academic achievement.

iv. To investigate student computer usage challenges.

1.4 Research Suggestions

The following research questions will be addressed by the study:

Is it possible to find computers in schools?

ii. What is the formal meaning of

What effect does computer use have on students’ academic performance?

iii. What are the advantages of using a computer for students’ academic achievement?

iv. What are the computer challenges for students?

1.5 The study’s significance

This study will be significant to the government because it will highlight the importance of incorporating computer education into the curriculum as well as providing schools with computers for students in order to improve academic achievement.

The study will be useful to school administrators because it will highlight the importance of hiring qualified teachers who can teach computer skills in order to improve students’ academic achievement.

The study will benefit the academic community because it will add to the existing literature.

1.6 The scope of the research

The availability of computers in schools will be investigated in this study. The study will also look into the impact of computer use on students’ academic performance. The study will delve deeper into the impact of computer use on students’ academic achievement. Finally, the study will look into student computer challenges. As a result, the study will be limited to Niger State.

1.7 The study’s limitations

The researchers encountered minor constraints while conducting the study, as with any human endeavor. Inadequate funds tend to impede the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to

to a moderate choice of sample size. Furthermore, the researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. As a result, the time spent researching will be reduced.

1.8 Definitions of terms

Computer: an electronic device that stores and processes data, typically in binary form, based on instructions contained in a variable program.

Academic achievement: performance outcomes that indicate how far a person has progressed toward specific goals that were the focus of activities in instructional settings, such as school, college, and university.