INFLUENCE ON USE OF DIGITAL TOOLS IN TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE AMONG UPPER BASIC STUDENTS IN AWKA EDUCATION ZONE

Abstract

This paper was designed to ascertain the influence on use of digital tools in teaching computer science among upper basic students   in awka education zone. Three research questions guided the study while three hypotheses were formulated and tested. Descriptive survey research design was utilized and it was carried out in Anambra state. A total of 270 upper basic school teachers were selected from the local government areas that made up of Awka education zone. A 23 item questionnaire was developed from literature and used to obtain data for the study. The questionnaire was validated by two lecturers from science education department Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Cronbach alpha was used to determine internal consistency of the questionnaire which yielded a coefficient of .86. Data collected were analyzed using mean while t-test statistic was used to test null hypotheses. Mean cut off point of 2.50 was applied in decision making thus items with mean values of 2.50 or above was interpreted as agreed while items with mean less than 2.50 were interpreted as disagree. For the null hypotheses, they were upheld if the calculated level of significance was greater than .05 or otherwise rejected. The findings reveal ten perceived influence of DT in teaching computer science among upper basic school student, seven challenges of utilizing DT in upper basic school classrooms and six roles of teachers in integrating DT within the upper basic school classroom. The findings also reveal that gender, years of experience and age of teachers had no statistical significance on the opinions of the teachers. Based on the findings of the study, recommended and conclusions were made.