ABSTRACT
This research work was conducted to ascertain the comparative
analysis of academic performance in English language and computer
science in junior secondary school, Enugu North Educational Zone. A
survey design was adopted for the study. A sample of 42 teachers both
English language and computer science 110 students were drawn from 7
(seven) junior secondary schools in Enugu North. A structured
Questionnaire was used to collect data and data collected were analyzed
using frequency and percentage. The finding of the study showed that
lack of quality instructional materials in the school can cause poor
performance of students, inability of a teacher to give test and
assignment to student will make student dull in their study,
effectiveness of note making and note taking by the student will
activate their attitude of learning, continuous assessment tasks
practicing will embark on the academic performance and government should
make incentive regular payment of salaries and allowances to the
teacher to motivate them into effective teaching.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Comparative
analysis; Is an over view means of examining two or more things to
discover the differences and similarities, in order to understand it
more. Therefore, the emphasis of English language and computer education
has been greatly stressed in this paper, to obtained details studies
relatively. However, English language has bee seen as a very vital skill
for live long education. Also English language is paramount important
in every academic discipline and over all the social, political and
economic development in the society.
However, computer science
education is imperative in technological development of any country of
the world, and Nigeria as a growing country needs technological
transformation for the enhancement of the nation. Furthermore, it is
important for us to described comparative education as Nicholas (1996)
view it, as an attempt to discover the differences in the forces and
causes that produce different educational systems, and the underlying
principles which govern the development of the National system of
education with modifications and changes which the circumstances provide
a wealth of information and never analytical approaches to system of
education and show case the performance of students in different
subjects like English language and computer science which are medium for
communication in everywhere in the world.
English Language and
computer science education can be viewed as the two faces of a coin, as
computer in the areas of communication appear to the sector where its
use, is most prevalent, the efficiency of any communication process lies
in its speed and accuracy, which implies that one cannot communicate
with computer without the use of English language. On the other hand,
the English language as a central subject for every academic level
quietly agree with Uchechukwu (2008)’s view. He further stated that,
English is a medium of instruction for all other subjects which depend
in co-operation with other subjects like computer science in order to
achieve learning outcome, computer as medium for Information
Communication Technology (ICT) can not work with out the support of low
level language and communication skills of English language, and will be
difficult as the learners without the use of English.
English
language as a means of communication is one of the unique qualities
possessed by the human species, it the means by which thoughts of ideas,
feeling, relationship between the teacher and the learner are
expressed. It is the most important subject in secondary school
curriculum. It is through English language that computer information,
concepts and skills are transmitted.
The basic principles of learning
English language in schools and home should be considered according to
Gregor (1996) therefore, it is important to note that, an environment
should be a great influence of learning experience. Though this
situation is very difficult to achieve in Nigeria schools because, a
greater percentage of Nigerian families fall within the lower class. It
is important to note that, regular use of English both teachers and
learners should made possible in our daily activities; Also Gregor
(1995) emphasis that, the language task and all the learning materials
such as books, charts, records, films and a host of others should be
carefully graded and within the level of skilled already possessed.
Uchechukwu
(2008) noted that, learning of English language requires a lot of time
and patience on the part of the teachers, so as to ensure much more
direct learning contact between teachers and learners which can exist
for practicing, listening and speaking skills particular. The aim of the
subject is to provide students with basic information as a medium and
also as important to note that, English language is not only
instrumental in communication and education, but it is also seen as a
symbol of cultural distinctiveness, a mark of political unit and a means
of identification for education, and also computer not just a medium of
communication but also very vital in technological development.
Computer
Education is very essential in all human endeavour. As omegboji (1997),
referred computer as a system science corroborates in integration of
knowledge and computer does the job of sharpening, harnessing, refining
and restricting the intellectual fault of the people in their different
levels and position.
The most obvious reason for introducing computer
science education in secondary schools is to equip students with the
knowledge of computer in order to live as useful and effective member of
the society. Descarfer (1997) stated that, if knowledge of science can
not be transformed into computer language, that language is of inferior
type which implies that they work hand in hand.
According to Bamiro
(1996) advocated that computer is a machine that can process information
to produce information at a speed and accuracy that are humanly
impossible. Laksebikan (1996) also view computer as a machine which
accepts data from an input device, processes that data by performing
arithmetic/logical operation and later supplies the result of the
processed data as information through an output device.
In the area
of student’s performance, Chukwuemeka and Otiji (2008) are of the
opinion that, the ability of a student to interact and relate or work
with order people helps students to develop skills that help them to be
useful in their school and society at large. A student who don’t possess
the ability to communicate well either in computer or English through
their writing and reading, and speaking are not likely to perform well.
To
be academically well in this form of education a student must be
extremely self-motivated and self-disciplined. Before a student should
have academic balance he/she needs a great deal of commitment and
discipline that most student do not have unit in the process of their
education.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEEM
The emphasis has been laid on the issue of academic performance of students in English language and computer science.
The
key to success or failure in today’s world is the ability to
communicate with spoken word and written words, as more as routine tasks
are performed by computer and robots. However, because of technological
development, the job assigned to students required a more sophisticated
ability to understand and transmit information.
The emphasis in the
work is to discover the extent of the student’s ability to function in
the society. In view of Ifeyinwa (2002) noted that, many students have
poor background of knowledge of English language at primary level of
education because of unqualified teachers that might be allocated to
teach English language, in view of what Ifeyinwa said, that there is a
need to improve our teaching method to enable student acquire good
knowledge in English language in order to be useful in the society.
Also,
Fermat (1997) view computer science as bedrock of any nation’s
development, it has in recent days witnessed a downward trend and
negative attitudes of students in secondary schools of Enugu North L.G.A
of Enugu State. Despite the fact that there has been a lot of hues and
cries and consistent call to improve teaching and learning of computer
to enhance student achievement in schools, most of the course done in
secondary schools, like English, mathematics and other science subject
can be taught using computer system; the use of computer games which are
being played with computer system help to arouse students interest and
create a congenial atmosphere for learning.
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study
is to find out the difference and similarities of the student’s
performance in English language and computer science in junior secondary
school in Enugu North.
The objective of this research is to enable
students to learn, develop and deploy communication skills in English
language and computer science.
The following objective includes:
•
To use ranking methods of influencing factors in predicting student’s
academic performances in learning of computer science and English
language.
• To enhance and determine the academic performances of the
students by effective use of instructional materials of English
language and computer science.
• To state the measure in identify the academic performance of students in computer science and English language.
•
To find the cause of poor performance of students in teaching and
learning of English language and computer science and how to reduce it.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The research work is aimed
at investigating the academic performance of junior secondary school
students in English language and computer science.
The project report is limited to the following areas:
Enugu North Local Government Area.
Limited for only junior students in the secondary schools.
Facilities (Laboratory and Equipment).
Qualification
Finding (Government, Private)
Students and Parents.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The result of this
study will help teachers in Enugu North Local Government Area to know
the area of much emphasis in their teaching methods. This study would
provide the Ministry of Education with useful information based on poor
or good performance of students in English language and computer science
and so many examination bodies, which would make teachers of English
language and computer science and also establish computer laboratory for
effective practical work on computer studies.
The officials of
education services and curriculum planners in this area of English
language and computer science would benefit from the findings of this
study. They would be provided with some information on the need to
inculcate effective communication of English language and computer
science by the students.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
How could we utilize
ranking method of influencing factors in predicting students’ academic
performance in learning of computer science and English language:
To what extent should instructional materials be utilized to determine the academic performance of students?
State the measure in identifying the academic performance of students on computer science and English language?
What are the causes of poor performances of students in teaching and learning of English language and computer science?