CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The introduction of information communication technology (ICT) and improve teaching methods to secondary schools in Nigeria was aimed at improving students’ academic performance. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are generally accepted as a modern instrumental tool that enables the educators to modify the teaching methods they use in order to increase students interest. Its general definition covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. It consists of hardware, software, networks and media for collection, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information (voice, data, texts and images) (World Bank, 2002). Information and communication is integral to human society. Before the advent of technology in Nigeria, people communicated using various instruments and codes such as talking drums, flutes, gongs, town criers and village square meetings (Dev-Net, 2003). The use of writing and invention of printing materials transformed the type and context of recorded history communication on a universal scale became possible through the use of Books, Newspapers, Magazines and Radio. The advancement in technology has created so many ICT tools that are necessary and useful in the development process.

        The main purpose of teaching at any level is to bring out a significant change in the learner (Tebabal &Kahssay, 2011). Most of the traditional methods were teacher- centered with no activity for the learners making them passive and therefore obtaining knowledge from the teacher without building their engagement level with the subject matter and the approach is least practical, more theoretical and memorizing (Tebabal & Kahssay, 2011). Student-centered approaches which are more effective aremore encouraged because they embrace the concept of discovery learning (Brindley, 2015). Most teachers today apply the studentcentered approach to promote interest, analytical research, critical thinking and enjoyment among students (Hesson & Shad, 2007). Transferring knowledge requires teachers to use the appropriate method and pedagogy that best suits the learner and suit the objectives and desired outcomes. The poor academic performance by majority of the students in various subject areas is basically linked to the application of ineffective teaching methods by teachers to impact knowledge to learners and therefore teachers need to be conversant with numerous teaching strategies (Adunola, 2011).Teaching is a profession of those who impart knowledge or skill, especially in an elementary or a secondary or in a university. According to Ayeni (2011), teaching can be defined as a systematic process of transmitting knowledge, attitudes and skills in accordance with professional principles. In the traditional epoch, many teaching practitioners widely apply teacher – centered method to impart knowledge to learners comparative to student – centered methods. Until today, questions about effectiveness of teaching methods on students learning have consistently raised considerable interest in the thematic field of education research (Hightower et al., 2011). Adgoke in Ogide (2017) states that in our tertiary institutions, teachers use mainly the lecture method which is a teacher - centered method and the implication is that learners are passive and learning tends to be superficial. Asikhia (2010) found that, qualifications of teachers and students’ environment factors do not influence students’ poor performance but teachers’ methods of teaching influence poor performance. According to Adunola (2011), regular poor performance by majority students is fundamentally linked to application of effective teaching methods by teachers to impact knowledge to learners. Ndirangu (2007) opined that, the choice of a particular method of teaching by the teacher is determined by the number of factors which includes the content to be taught, the objectives which the teacher plans to achieve, availability of teaching and learning resources and the ability and willingness of the teacher to improvise if conventional teaching aids are not available for the evaluation and follow – up activities to check individual learner differences. According to Ayeni (2011), teaching is a process that involves bringing about desirable changes in learners so as to achieve specific outcomes. In order for the method used for teaching to be effective, Adunola (2011) maintains that teachers need to be conversant with numerous teaching strategies that take recognition of the magnitude of complexity of the concepts to be covered. It is to this regard that study is based on the effect of ICT and teaching methods on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The use of ICT facilities and improved teaching method are vital to all secondary schools in Nigeria. However the challenges faced by most school especially those in the northern part of the country is the issue of ICT facilities and poor teaching methods. Most of the qualified teachers are not willing to move to the northern part of the country because of high level of insecurity in Nigeria. Secondly, lack of adequate funding of secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis made it difficult for them to acquire the necessary ICT facilities for teaching and learning. Other problems affecting the students’ academic performance are the state of significance of the content, the sustainability of the method and perhaps, the teacher who handles both the content and method

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this study is to determine the effect of ICT and teaching methods on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis. The objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the relationship between ICT and teaching methods and academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis
2. To determine the importance of ICT and teaching methods to senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis
3. To determine the factors affecting the use of ICT and teaching methods in senior secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis
4. To recommend ways to improve the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis  

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1. What is the relationship between ICT and teaching methods and academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis?
2. What is the importance of ICT and teaching methods to senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis?
3. What are the factors affecting the use of ICT and teaching methods in senior secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis?
4. What are the ways to improve the academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant relationship between ICT and teaching methods and academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis

H1: there is significant relationship between ICT and teaching methods and academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the effect of ICT and teaching methods on the academic performance will be of immense benefit to the entire senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis. The study will serve as a guide to teachers and school management on how to apply the ICT and improve teaching methods in secondary schools in Kaduna metropolis. The study will also establish a correlation between ICT and teaching methods and academic performance of senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis. The study will also contribute to the body of the existing literature on the effect of ICT and teaching methods on the academic performance

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers on The study on the effect of ICT and teaching methods on the academic performance with focus on senior secondary school students in Kaduna metropolis

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

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).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

ICT: Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers, as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage and audiovisual, that enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information

TEACHING  METHOD: It is a teaching device or strategy adopted by a teacher to teach a lesson, this includes the use of games, text books etc. that stimulates learning.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: Academic achievement or academic performance is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has attained their short or long-term educational goals. Completion of educational benchmarks such as secondary school diplomas and bachelor's degrees represent academic achievement