ABSTRACT
Students have
many different perceptions of computer science. Most business and athletics
leaders will talk about how the individual’s attitude directly affects their
performance in the office or on the field. Attitude towards computer science
plays a crucial role in the teaching and learning processes of computer science.
It affects students’ achievement in computer science. The teaching method, the
support of the structure of the school, the family and students’ attitude
towards school affect the attitudes towards computer science. This study looked
at how students’ attitudes impact the computer science performance of the
students in the classroom. Five selected school in Katsina – Ala Local
Government Area of Benue State were the focus of this study. Students were
surveyed by the researcher on their attitude towards computer science
education. The findings revealed that attitude and gender difference have a
significant impact in the performance of students in computer science. It also
revealed that positive attitude towards computer science leads students towards
success in computer science. Attempt to improve attitude towards computer
science at lower level provides base for higher studies in computer science. It
also causes effect in achievement of computer science at secondary school
level.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
There
is no disagreement on the vital importance of computer science to both the
scientist, the technologist and even to every layman in his everyday life
(Omenka, 2013). Computer science is the key element and activity in the day to
day living that every human being practices in one form or the other (Kurumeh,
Akure, and Oguche, 2007). The knowledge of computer science is an essential
tool in our society (Baroody, 1987). It is a tool that can be used in our daily
life to overcome the difficulties faced (Bishop, 1996). Due to this, computer
science has been considered as one of the most important core subject in a
school curriculum. More computer science lessons are likely to be taught in schools
and colleges throughout the world than any other subject (Orton, Orton, &
Frobisher, 2004).
The
Nigerian education accorded computer science a special position in the school
curriculum. In fact, it made a core-subject for both Arts and Science students.
All the junior secondary schools students have to pass it at the junior
secondary school certificate examination before they are allowed to register
for senior secondary school examination. In other words computer science is one
of the core-subjects both at the junior and senior secondary school levels. It
is also required that a student gets a credit pass in it to get admission for
science related courses in the universities.
However,
the standard tests and evaluations reveal that students do not perform to the
expected level. The student under achievement in computer science is not just a
concern for particular countries, but has become a global concern over the
years (Pisa, 2003).
Despite
the relevance of computer science and the efforts made by the government to
improve the student’s achievement in computer science, the result is not yet
satisfactory. The West African Examination Council,WAEC (2004) Chief Examiner’s
Report shows that 1,090,503 candidates sat for external out of which only 10.5%
passed. In 2005 out of 1464,301 candidates that sat for external only 15.2%
passed computer science. In 2007, out of 1,484,611 candidates, only 18.5%
passed computer science. National Examination Council, NECO (2006) reported
that many of the candidates exhibited lack of knowledge of basic principles
needed to tackle some of the computer science problems.
Several
studies and researches have been done in many countries to find the factors
that influence the student’s performance in computer science. Among these
factors, student’s attitude towards computer science is one important factor
that has been consistently studied. Often, the studies on relationship between student’s
attitude and the student’s academic performance show a positive relationship
(Mohd, Mahmood, & Ismail, 2011; Bramlett & Herron, 2009; Nicolaidou
& Philippou, 2003; Papanastasiou, 2000; Ma & Kishor, 1997). Hence
students’ attitude towards computer science is a major factor that might
influence the performance of the students. Due to this, several studies have
been conducted in different countries in order to find out the students
attitude towards computer science (Tahar, Ismail, Zamani & Adnan, 2010;
Tezer & Karasel, 2010; Maat & Zakaria, 2010; Bramlett & Herron,
2009; Köğce, Yıldız, Aydın, & Altındağ, 2009; Tapia & Marsh, 2004;
Fennema & Sherman, 1976) and hence to use these data to suggest the low
performance of students and factors affecting it. The aim of this research is
to find out the factors influencing the attitude of secondary school students
towards computer science in some schools in Katsina-Ala, Benue State. The
research focuses on finding the students’ attitude towards computer science and
also finding the significant difference between student’sattitudes towards computer
science with regard to the gender of the students.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The
rate of failure in both internal and external examinations in Computer science
these days is quite alarming. The failure rate deteriorates from year to year
(WAEC, 2005).
The student’s
attitude towards an academics subject is a crucial factor in learning and
achievement in that subject. Whether a student views himself or herself as a
strong or weak person in a specific subject may be an important factor in his
or her academic achievement. Papanastasiou (2002) showed that there is a
positive relation between Computer science and computer science achievement.
According to Schreiber (2002), those who have positive attitudes towards Computer
science have a better performance in the subject. In Kenya, studies done by
Auma (2004) and Achieng (2007) looked at the relationship between teacher
factors and student Computer science achievement as factors affecting Computer
science performance but did not consider students attitude. However, thestudy
focuses on the factors influencing student’s attitude towards Computer science
with specific reference to objectives, content, methods and evaluation of the Computer
science curriculum and establishes their influence on Computer science
performance.
1.3 Purpose of Study
The
subject is more positive. The researcher feels that a students’ negative
attitude toward Computer science as a subject has a damaging effect on their
performance in the classroom. The researcher also feels that teachers who are
more enthusiastic and have a more positive attitude about teaching computer
science have students whose attitude about the subject is more positive.
The
main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the
attitude of students towards the study of computer science in Nigeria, using
Katsina-Ala L.G.A, Benue State as a case study.
Therefore the Specific
objectives of the study are:
1. To determine student’s
performance in Computer science across gender.
2. To establish student’s
attitude towards Computer science across gender, with reference to:
i. Objectives
ii. Content
iii. Methods
iv. Evaluation
3. Determine the level of
relationship between attitudes towards Computer science and performance in Computer
science.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The
findings of this research upon completion will help students to understand how
their attitude towards computer science can affect their performance in the
subject and how their interaction with the society can influence their attitude
and hence, their performance in computer science. And also, to determinethe
extentto which the teacher’s attitude towards teaching the subject can affect
the students’ performance in Computer science.
1.5 Research Questions
The
researcher collected data from students and teachers by using both open ended questions
and scaled answers on a Likert scale. The researcher asked the students questions
to get a general idea of their attitude about computer science. The teacher
askedabout how they see attitude affecting student performance, if they are
enthusiastic about computer science, if they enjoy teaching computer science.
1.
What effect does the student’s attitude towards computer
science have on their performance in the subject?
2.
How does gender affects the performance of the
students in computer science?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
1.7 Scope of the Study
The
study was investigated in five schools in Katsina-Ala L.G.A of Benue State,
Nigeria. It consists of both junior and senior secondary students of these
selected schools.
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