1.1 Introduction
Teaching and learning of computer science, like every other branch of natural science requires observation and learner centered activities. Class size appears to be one of the crucial elements that are often considered by educational planners in order to achieve the set out objectives in any educational system. This is because of the obvious negative implication of our crowded classroom on the teacher and the learner. Ozochie (2009) opined that to make the correct estimate of the resources needed is the function of population. This point suggests that the essence of having a definite number of learners in a classroom is to ensure that the resource which includes the teacher, the instructional materials, class space, seating arrangement among others are adequately provided for smooth teaching and learning (Ozochie, 2009).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Enugu State College of Education (Technical) is about the youngest higher institution in the state. The institution started with several schools and department. Computer science Education is one of the departments in the school of Science Education. Most of the basic sciences both physical and natural sciences are combined with computer science education. This is an indication that computer science is about the biggest department in terms of population. One cannot evaluate computer science education effectively without having full knowledge of computer.
According to BBC English dictionary courtesy of education tax fund (2003), Computer is an electronic machine that makes quick calculations and data deals with large amount of information. Onah (2003), further described computer as an electronic machine that accepts data through the input unit, process data through the central processing unit and produce information through output unit. On the other hand, education is defined as the inculcation of skill, knowledge, values, attitude and norms that are both formal and informal to the leaner (Eze, 2001).
According to Odo, Ede and Ezike (2000) education is what happens to human beings from the day they are born to the day they die. Also Nzeneri (2005), defined education as any planned series of incidents, having humanistic basic and directed towards the participants learning and understanding. Today, computer system has helped in making human activities easy. Computer has also helped in information, communication and technology which make communication easy and common. Accountants also use computers in their day-to-day business transaction. Managers in different companies use computer to calculate job estimate of some certain projects. Computer provides assistance in school word processing, school administration, data storage and retrieval. Computer as an instructional tool that presents and interprets the response known as computer assisted instruction (CAI). CAL provides individualized instruction in the form known as computers management instruction (CMI). It can also be used in educational research to control laboratory experiment. Similarly computers are used in experimental data processing. Most analyses which make our life relatively easy are done by computers. Olinya (2003) stated that all the efforts of human being in education are geared towards the easiest, quickest and most reliable way for students to learn and make good use of computers.
Similarly Odo (2005) emphasized that Nigeria government is not neglecting their responsibilities for making schools to succeed in achieving her national goal for technological development. Computer science education study are available in Enugu state college of education (Technical) and is not left-out as well as other colleges of education at both federal and state level. Computers are used as teaching aid or instructional tools in colleges of education. Computer education is therefore a recent development in our educational institutions.
The issue of poor academic performance of students in Nigeria has been of much concern to all and sundry. The problems are so much that it has led to the decline in standard of education. Since the academic success of students depends largely on the school environment, it is imperative to examine the impact variables of class size and school population on the academic performance of students in secondary school (Driscoill et al., 2003).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to evaluate the Computer Science Education Programme.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that poor performance is one of the problems facing computer education students in our school. This problem was as a result of lack of teaching materials source. Computer science laboratory is another problem facing computer students in our school. We don’t have enough laboratory accommodate the population of students in our school as management lacked found to build spacious computer laboratories.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to evaluate computer science education programme in Enugu state college of education (Technical) Enugu. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To ascertain the problems encountered by teachers in teaching computer science education;
- To determine the qualification level of computer teachers in college of education;
- To ascertain performance of students in computer science education;
- To determine the effectiveness of curriculum in computer education; and
- To ascertain the teaching methods used in teaching computer education in the area under study.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What are the problems of lecturers in teaching computers science education in the area under study?
- What are the methods of teaching computer science education in the area under study?
- What are the qualifications of computer science lecturers in the area under study?
- What is the performance of the students of computer science education in the area under study?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant problems encountered by teachers in teaching computer science education
- H1: There are significant problems encountered by teachers in teaching computer science education
1.7 Significance of Study
The study would be of immense benefit to the students when the study is published and the evaluation is valid. It would also be of benefit to the teachers when published in other to find out if there are some missing links in the evaluation.
The study would help teachers to find out how effective the curriculum is. Also it would save teachers time in teaching a large group of students practical based on the provision of facilities available.
Students would also benefit from the study if some of their problem would be identified by the study. Students would also perform better after getting feedback on evaluation of the study.
Finally, the study would also be of benefit to the ministry of education and curriculum builders of colleges of Education such as National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). It will also serve as a contribution to knowledge in the subject area. In this regards, it will be useful for other researchers who might want to carryout research in related areas.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Evaluation of Computer Science Education Programme using Enugu State College of Education (Technical) as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Education: The process or art of imparting knowledge, skill and judgment.
Learning: An act in which something is learned.
Academic: Pertaining to or characteristics of a school.
Performance: The act of performing, carrying into execution or action, achievement and accomplishment.
