1.1 Introduction
Social studies subject is the study of people in relation to each other and to their world. It is an issues focused and inquiry-based interdisciplinary subject that draws upon history, geography, ecology, economics, law, philosophy, political science and other social science disciplines. Social studies foster students’ understanding of and involvement in practical and ethical issues that face their communities and humankind. Academic achievement is an important parameter in measuring success in students. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infection which is as a result of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection. For example, the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were known in 2002 and 2012 in that order was as a result of viruses analogous to SARS-CoV-2 (Zhong, B.L, Li,H.M, Zhang, Q.Qet al., 2020).
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, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The COVID-19 pandemic since its outbreak in 2019 in China has affected the world economy (Ogunode, N.J, Ndubisi, A.G, and Terfa, A.C, 2021). According to the World Health Organization (WHO 2020), corona viruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). These viruses were originally transmitted from animals to people. SARS, for instance, was transmitted from civet cats to humans while MERS moved to humans from a type of camel. Several known corona viruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. The name corona virus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the looks like it is surrounded by a solar corona. The novel corona virus, identified by Chinese authorities on January 7 and since named SARS-CoV-2, is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans (Wikipedia, 2020). The recent outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic increased the gaps in the education sector globally (Onyema, E.M, Eucheria, N.C., Obafemi, F.A,et al, 2020).
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that swept across the globe about a year now, has not only had a significant impact on public health, society, and the economy as a whole, it has also wreaked havoc on the academic calendar (OgunodeN.J, Ndubisi, A.G, and Terfa, A.C, 2021). The coronavirus pandemic has no boundaries, and the effect is large and fast. Just within few months of the outbreak of the disease, it has drastically changed the lifestyles of the entire world with billions of people being forced to ‘stay at home’, ‘observe self-isolations’, and work and learn from home (Onyema E.M, Eucheria, N.C., Obafemi, F.Aet al, 2020). It has limited the freedom of students to move, practicalize and learn physically.
The era of the teacher being a reservoir of knowledge has past. The world is moving at a jet speed as a result of advancement in technology. More, importantly, technology entails information and communication which can be defined as the handling and processing of information (texts, images, graphs, instruction etc) for use by means of electronic and communication devices such as computer, cameras, telephones, etc (Ozoji cited in Oleabhiele, 2015).
E-learning, often referred to as web-based or online learning, is currently a fast growing educational tool in the developed world. It involves all teaching and assessment approaches that use technology such as Wikis, Blogs, Podcasts and learning management systems such as computers, internet and web connectivity to enhance learning experience and research works (Mahahusudhan, 2008; Nadiu, 2006). This new teaching and learning approach offer potential values to traditional teaching and learning approach due to its flexibility and accessibility of information to a great number of students at a time (Naqvi, 2007).
E-learning also provides easy access to any type of information required for academic purpose through the use of internet facilities such as World Wide Web (www) based technologies and other softwares. Nkanga (2007) indicated that e-learning is a computer supported collaborative learning process that deploys the technology of computer as its main platform for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and enables both students and teachers to generate, advance and share knowledge in a more common form. Apparently, e-learning is the only promising option for effective dissemination and collection of information which can successfully accommodate the ever-growing need for access to knowledge, equity and quality of education in Nigeria.
E-learning according to Markus (2008) can be defined as a learning process created by interaction with digitally delivered content, network-based services and tutoring support E -learning is any technologically mediated learning using computers whether from a distance or in face to face classroom setting (computer assisted learning), it is a shift from traditional education or training to ICT-based personalized, flexible, individual, self-organized, collaborative learning based on a community of learners, teachers, facilitators, experts.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impact of E-learning in Academic Performance of Students during Covid-19 Pandemic in Social Studies.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that the closures of schools and universities is said to have impacted over 70% of the world's inhabitants (Aborodeet al, 2020). The school-closure measure means learners previously in school are no longer going to school. The major tasks of higher institutions include teaching, research, and community services that have been disrupted by the COVID-19. The pandemic also disrupted the academic programmes, examinations, admissions, conferences, workshops and training, graduation programmes of higher institutions.
The drastic escalation of coronavirus did not only affect learning, it compounded the pre-existing education inequalities in institutions, with vulnerable and disadvantaged students at the receiving end. To curb the widening of the existing education inequalities, there is a responsibility on the institution management to put in place measures to ensure continuity, inclusion and equity for all learners during this pandemic. Observation shows that higher institutions either postponed or cancelled all campus events such as graduation ceremonies, workshops, conferences, sports (both intra and inter universities), and other activities. The COVID-19 Pandemic also led to the suspension of the academic calendar of higher institutions.
One of the major problems faced by students in learning government is inability to remember what has been learnt. This problem is often caused by too much theoretical expression by the teachers while learners are passive listeners. Students memorize and regurgitate facts and concepts. These problems confronting the teaching and learning of government can be handled using slide presentations, audio-video presentation process and other interactive ICT software facilities in which a student interacts with and is guided by visual equipment aimed at achieving certain instructional goals.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Impact of E-learning in Academic Performance of Students during Covid-19 Pandemic in Social Studies. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the relationship between e-learning and students social studies academic performance during Covid-19 Pandemic.
- To determine the effect of audio-visual teaching aid on students social studies academic performance during Covid-19 Pandemic.
- To determine if the use of ICT enhances students’ learning of social studies during Covid-19 Pandemic.
- To identify current challenges of Covid-19 Pandemic towards students’ academic performance in social studies.
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:
- Does the use of audio-visual teaching aid have any effect on social studies academic outcome during Covid-19 Pandemic?
- What is the relationship between e-learning and students social studies academic performance during Covid-19 Pandemic?
- What is the use of ICT enhances students’ learning of social studies during Covid-19 Pandemic?
- What are the current challenges of Covid-19 Pandemic towards students’ academic performance in social studies?
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 is no significant relationship between e-learning and students’ social studies academic performance during Covid-19 Pandemic.
- H1: There is significant relationship between e-learning and students’ social studies academic performance during Covid-19 Pandemic.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: The use of audio-visual teaching aid has no effect on students’ academic outcomes.
- H1: The use of audio-visual teaching aid has any effect on social studies academic outcome during Covid-19 Pandemic.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: There is no significant challenge of Covid-19 Pandemic towards students’ academic performance in social studies.
- H1: There is significant challenge of Covid-19 Pandemic towards students’ academic performance in social studies.
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings of the study will be of immense benefit to the students, teachers, education shake holders, the government philanthropists.
E-Learning is of great important to teachers and students of Government; this is because from this research, they will able to ascertain the important of information and communication in teaching and learning.
Secondly, this work will be of great important to educational stakeholders. This is because from the research they will be able to know the plight of the student and therefore work out modalities to solve the problems.
Thirdly, this work will be of great important to the government through the ministry of education they would be able to ascertain the course of poor performance of the student of business education and work out modalities to solve the problems.
Finally, the findings would be useful to curriculum planners. Curriculum planners who would wish to resolve the issue of the availability and utilization ICT instructional materials may have cause to know the true situation and properly restructure business education programme curriculum to take care of inadequacies. Curriculum planners would be more objective when the findings are taken to consideration.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research focuses on the Impact of E-learning in Academic Performance of Students during Covid-19 Pandemic in Social Studies using Mainland District in Lagos State 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
COVID 19: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infection which is as a result of a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
Education: It is the process of giving systematic instruction especially at a school or university.
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