IMPEDIMENTS TO THE EFFECTIVE LEARNING OF COMPUTER STUDIES IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IKWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

The world is advancing at a rapid rate and events have moved to the electronic stage with computer at the centre. This development has brought a lot of innovations and revolution into teaching and learning. The 3R’s (reading, writing and arithmetic), which forms the nucleus of the old system of education has witnessed series of literacy reforms. The world is now in the age of technology, hence there is need to keep abreast with time.

One of the ways of achieving this is through the introduction of computer into our institutions of learning. Ugoji (2006) explains computer as an electronic machine that performs tasks, such as calculations or electronic communication under the control of a set of instructions called programs. The programs usually reside within the computer and are retrieved as processed by the computer. He went further into defining computer as an electronic machine that has the ability to accept data, process data and retrieve data i.e. give out the result as information. Okolo (2007) describes the term ‘computer’ as an electronic machine or gadget that accepts data as input and processes them electronically to produce the desired output or information with the aid of a set instructions.

Computer can be generally defined as an electronic device that accepts data, processes the data and brings out the result of the data as information. Computer is used in our educational system to enhance teaching and learning. In this case, teaching according to Anyanwu (2006) means a systematic, rational and organized process of impacting knowledge, attitude and skills in accordance with professional principles. Wikipedia (2010) describes learning as a change in behaviour based on previous experience. This learning therefore involves processing of various types of information.

Computer education is of paramount importance to national development and it is on this premise that the Federal government of Nigeria sought to introduce computer studies in the education system from primary through to secondary schools. Education systems around the world face formidable challenges that are taxing conventional strategies. Fresh approaches are needed to address persistent problems of the past and provide students with an education appropriate to the needs of a modern, information based-global economy. Now, after more than two decades of unfulfilled promises to revolutionize education, computer and communication technologies are finally able to offer opportunities to significantly improve teaching and learning.

IMPEDIMENTS TO THE EFFECTIVE LEARNING OF COMPUTER STUDIES IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IKWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE