CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

This project is to find the extent of computer literacy among secondary school science teacher in Enugu north local government area.

Audio in GOOGLE (2010) defined the world “extent” as the distance or area volume over which something extents. Another text by NDINECHI (2001) explains (extent” as a length or range of particular thing. In opinion of Ezeudo (2003) the term “extent” is a degree of a particular something. In present researchers “view” the world “extent” could be defined as how far or the degree of computer literacy among secondary school science teachers.

According to ILOANUSI (2008) the term “computer” is an electronic device that is capable of accepting, storing and processing data with great speed an of according to give out information as output. Another text by NWOSU (2001) defined “computer” a device or machine that accept data, process data, stores data and produce result. AMAKA N. (2007) sees the world “computer” as a device or machine that under program control performs asthmatic and logical operation without human Intervention. The present researchers believe that “computer” is a very fast electronic processing machine that has strong capabilities, which can perform either in numbers and symbols. Information can be stored and retained, the common feature in all the definition is that the computer is machine that receive input treats and releases them required to note some.

It is also necessary to note some important of computer as enumerated by

OKOLO (2007) He said that computer has assumed unimaginable dimensions, it is used as a guild to the learner through a course of institution at videos displaying unit in such a manner that will facilitate the understanding of the subject matter. It helps to speed up the students learning process. He further commented on computer having other applications in education in area like W.A.E.C. N.E.C.O. J.A.M.B so on. They make use of computer in marking multiple-choice examination papers.

From the contribution of JOHN ILOANUSI (2008) computer are useful for storing information about crimes, criminals and suspects. He said it could be very useful in crime detection and prevention. Such system can be interfaced with photograph capturing and finger print system. OKORIE (2008) in his own opinion said that the use of computer makes data into a very small storage space. Information storage and retrieval are speeded up and computer records an easily be up-dated as the need arises. In these researchers point of “view” the impacts of computer in virtually every sphere of human endeavor are enormous, from the interaction we had with P.H.B. Bank manager (2010), we found out that computers plays a vital role in bank for keeping all the data and information of customers and equally used for operation of automatic teller machine (A.T.M). These researchers also had a chat with the doctor of railway crossing hospital (2010), we further found out that computer plays a tremendous role in health care delving, doctors used computer for diagnosis, perform surgical procedures and keep up with rapid changes in medicine. In fact the importance of computer in our society cannot be over-emphasized.

OZO-CHINAILFE (2005) sees the phrase “computer literacy” as knowledge about computer software and hardware knowing what they are what they can do and what they cannot do, how they are put to work and how their uses can affect the society and your profession. In the opinion of WIKIPEDIA (2010) “computer literacy” is knowledge and ability to use computer and technology efficiently. AJAJA (2010) explains “computer literacy” as an understanding of the concept terminology and operation that relate to general computer use. Another text by ANEKA (2005) defined “computer literacy” as comfort levels someone has with using computer programs and other application that are associate with computers. These researchers believe that computer literacy individual is a person that has basic knowledge in all aspect of computer: such as area of computer application, how to use Microsoft world, how to use Microsoft excel, how to use Microsoft access, how to use Microsoft power point, how to create E-mail address using Internet.

According to oxford dictionary 6th edition (2005) the phrase “secondary school” is for young people between the ages of 11, 16 and 18. In the opinion of California (2009) “secondary school” is a school that is intermediate in level between elementary school and collage and that usually offer general technical. From Encarta dictionary 7th edition (2004) “secondary school” is a school for students who have completed their education, usually attended by children in grades 7 to 12. In the contribution of the researchers “secondary school” is a school where people who have obtained first school leaving certificate and common entrance attend to attain more education. It is also the third step in educational process “secondary school” is classified into three namely private, adults and public secondary schools. The present research is basically o public schools in Enugu north local government area. We further found out that in Nigeria a secondary school consists of two levels this research in how ever interested in senior secondary schools to find out the extent of computer literacy among science teacher in Enugu north local government area.

SHEEHAN (2005) defined the phrase “science teacher” as somebody or a person who teaches science. According to WIKIPEDIA (2004) “science teacher” are those teacher that teach science subject with full knowledge of experiments. Oxford dictionary 6th edition (2005) sees “science teacher” as teachers who have basic knowledge about the structure and behaviour of natural and physical world based on the facts they can prove it. In the opinion of these researchers “science teachers” are teachers that have basic knowledge about all the science subjects: such as mathematics, biology, computer science, chemistry, physics etc. that can be proved in standard way but trained or specialized in any of these science subjects.

AKUSOBA (2000) defined “computer science teacher” as those teachers that can be able to use computer very well and teach it effectively. Another text by OLUYIDE (2008) sees the phrase “computer science teacher” as those teachers that have basic knowledge of the concept, terminology and operation that relate to general computer use. From the contribution of SHEESHA (2010) “computer science teachers” are those teachers that have basic knowledge in discipline of spans theory and practical that required thinking both in abstracts terms and in concrete terms. From these researchers point of view, “computer science teachers” are those teachers that have basic knowledge and ability to use computer technology effectively.

Enugu north local government area is located at the center of Enugu town. From our present research we found out that Enugu north local government area has fourteen secondary school respectively: such as queen school Enugu, city girls secondary school, metropolis girls, urban girls secondary school and new layout secondary school. These above mentioned school located at new layout in Enugu state. Other three schools are coal camp secondary school situated at cool camp in Enugu state. Community secondary school located at iva-valley in Enugu state and comprehensive technical collage situated at Ngwo in Enugu state.

In our society today we full understand that the propensity of information technology (IT) today has show that the world is becoming digital world with all its operation being converted from manual to computerize system. Therefore, we made this research in order to find out the extent of knowledge of computer, its uses and application that computer teachers have in different secondary school in Enugu north local government area.