ABSTRACT
The study
focuses on the methods of teaching computer courses to computer science major
in selected Nigeria
polytechnics.
It examines the
background, methods of teaching, tools and equipments use in teaching computer
courses to computer science major. The primary data for the study were
generated from well structured question broadcasted to random samples of 70 out
of 200 NDII students from federal polytechnic Nekede and Abia State Polytechnic
and supported with interviews. Frequency labels, simple proportion percentage
ratios, average, ranking, and chi-square (test for goodness of fit) for
validation of the some of the some of the findings as distributed.
From the data
presented and analyzed textbook is the mostly used tool for teaching computer courses to computer science
major.
Followed by the
computer but 20% students said that textbooks, chalkboard and computer are the
tools used.
It was also
established from the study that lecture method, lecture with discussion
practical assignment, and class
discussions are the methods of teaching
computer courses to computer science major.
Therefore the
researcher summarized and recommend that the NBTE (National Biand for Technical
Education) should improve on the
teaching tools by providing enough computers for teaching and learning
and the methods of teaching computer
courses to computer science major should be maintained and if possible across other departments.
TABLE
OF CONTENT
Title
Page ii
Dedication iii
Statement of approval iv
Declaration v
Acknowledgement vi
Table of content viii
Abstract xi
CHAPTER
ONE
1.0
Introduction
1
1.1 Background of
the study 1
1.2
Aims
and Objectives 4
1.3
Statement
of problems 5
1.4
Purpose
of the study 6
1.5
Research
Question 6
1.6
Significance
of the study 7
1.7
Scope
of the study 8
1.8
Limitations
of the study 8
1.9
Definitions
of terms 9
CHAPTER
TWO
2.0
Literature Review 12
2.1 Historical background 12
2.2
Literature Review of teaching methods 24
2.3
Methods
of teaching computer
courses to computer science major 38
CHAPTER
THREE
3.0
Methodology 44
3.1 Research design 44
3.2
Size
of sample and ample selection 44
3.3
Data
collection instrument and procedures 45
CHAPTER
FOUR
4.0
Data
Presentation and Analysis 47
4.1 Introduction 47
CHAPTER
FIVE
5.0
Summary,
Conclusion and Recommendation 58
5.1 Summary of
Findings 58
5.2
Conclusion
and Recommendation 60
References 62
Appendix 1
CHAPTER
ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Education
is an important sector which cannot be fun with any serious country, state,
organization or individual and that is why an individual, organization or
government uses every means to make sure a good education is provided for her
citizens (Adibe, 2001).
One
of the means of this provision is the introduction of computer science in
polytechnics, as a course of study.
Computer
science is the study of the design and use of computer systems. One goal of the
computer science department is to provide
the student with the tools to identify those problem that are best
solved by means of a computer and to design and implement effective,
economical, and creative solutions.
Computer
science as an academic discipline systematically includes three domains:
Theory, and abstraction, and design.
The
curriculum’s required courses give the
students a strong foundation in both the software and hardware aspects
of computing, as well as the mathematics and science that underline the
discipline. The electives in the later years allow the student to study more
deeply some particular area of computer science. The department courses and
programmes continue to respond to
changing g requirements for professional employment in computer science.
It
is the responsibility of the student to understand and fulfill polytechnic,
and Department requirements. These
requirements are described is the polytechnic has gone a ling way to keep those
individuals (computer operators) in various way:
i. To acquire formal education in computer science
ii To register fully as members in Nigeria computer
society.
Iii to reduce non-professionals in the field.
Computer
is an electronic device, which is capable of receiving, sorting and retrieving
information with tremendous speed, if computer is effectively used, it can help
teachers teach computer science students visually in all the computer courses.
This
study based on the assessment of the methods of teaching
computer courses to computer science major in selected Nigerian Polytechnics is
trying to find out those teaching
methods use in teaching computers courses.
According
to McCathy (1989) common teaching methods are lecture method, lecture with
Discussion, panel of experts, Brainstorming, video tapes, class Discussion,
case studies, Role playing, Report-Back sessions, worksheets/surveys, index
card exercise, Guest speaker, values clarification exercise.
IPSJ
Journal (2001), state that the method of teaching computer science in a
department of liberal Art is from technique (concretion) to theory
(abstraction), of from practices to lecture.
In
a physical classroom these is a standard, set of equipment and tools, this
usually includes audio-visual equipment such as textbook, a chalkboard,
video-visual video player and tape
recorder.
1.2
AIMS
AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
aims and objectives of the study are to assess the methods of teaching computer
courses to computer science major in selected Nigeria polytechnics.
1. It
investigated whether textbooks and chalkboard the only teaching and learning tools in teaching computer courses.
2. It
investigated whether multimedia instructional aids are used for both teaching and learning in computer science courses.
3. It
investigated whether E-learning is used in teaching introduction to computers.
4. To
investigate the most common teaching methods for
computer courses to computer science majors.
1.3 STATEMENT
OF PROBLEMS
The objective of teaching computer
courses in Nigeria Polytechnics include to equip students with the necessary
knowledge that will aid them to identify those problems that can be solved by
means of computer system, and to design and implement effectively.
Another
objective of the study is to provide the intellectual foundation for future
professional development. A cornerstone in this study is ability fro student to
reason logical. It is essential that student should be familiar with basic
concepts in many computer courses.
Although,
there are some other problems such as:
-
Lack of lecturers to
teach computer courses.
-
Lack of teaching tools
-
Lack of application of
computer to real world situation in their programme of study.
-
Extreme abnormal
dislike or fear and dread of mathematics (one of the credit required for one to study computer science).
1.4 PURPOSE
OF THE STUDY
The purpose of
the study is to the methods of teaching
computer courses to computer science major.
Also to educate
student to succeed in his/her professional career, which takes place in the
context of rapidly changing technology. In order to succeed in this area, the
student must have certain knowledge, skills and attitudes.
1.5
RESEARCH QUESTION
The objective of
the research is to determine those tools/ methods that are used in teaching
computer science major in Federal Polytechnic Nekede and Abia State Polytechnic.
In order to
conduct an effective study on the central theme of this work, the following
critical questions have been addressed namely:
(a)
What are the tools used
in teaching computer courses?
(b)
Is your polytechnic connected via Internet?
(c)
How effective is the
use of computer on the teaching and
(d)
What are the most
common teaching methods of computer courses e.g. Introduction to computer,
computer packages, Computer Programming, and, Computer Hardware maintenance.
1.6
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
STUDY
Information
technology (IT) is providing for the use of computer aided (CAL) systems to assist in the Education and
training of students.
This study will
assist computer science students to know teaching methods both old and new. It
will help them to understand that developments in computer science will make
new applications profitable and new method viable.
1.7
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The
study is targeted at Federal polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State
and Abia State Polytechnic it covers all phases used in teaching computer
courses. The wing topics will be addressed:
-
Introduction to
computer
-
Computer packages
-
Computer Programming
-
Computer Hardware
Maintenance
1.8
LIMITATIONS OF THE
STUDY
The
researcher encountered a lot of problems such as limited time provided for this
study.
Furthermore,
the researcher encountered the problem of limited number of respondents since
some of the respondents have not filled questionnaire of this type
before.
1.9
DEFINITIONS OF
TERMS
COMPUTER An electronic device that can
accept data, process it and give result/ information under automatically stores program.
Computer
science The
study of the design and use of computer
system. It is a chameleonic
discipline.
Teaching
Is
a sublime communion of ideas whereby
an inquisitive soul gets to open
up to the light of knowledge
Multimedia
A way of presenting to the user a combination of different forms of
information such as text, data, images, video, audio, and graphics.
Algorithms
a
clearly – defined mathematics final used to solve a problem or run an
operation
Animation
A
simulation of movement created by displaying a series of pictures or frames,
cartoons on television is one example of animation
Program
A
set of instructions given to computer to carry out particular task
Virtual
Not
real. Something that is mere simulation or illusion of a real environment.
Videoconferencing A person-to-
person discussion, involving either individuals or groups in which participants
are at different sites, using computer networks to transmit audio and video data.
Online
Turned
on and connected. Users are considered online when they are connected to a
computer service through modem.
Login To Comment