CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The internet, since its inception has contributed to the teaching and learning process in the education system in Nigeria. The Internet is also known as a global system of computer networks and information superhighways which have become a very important tool and required by the knowledge-based society present the contemporary for information management, information search, communication, and research and learning. It is based on (Jagboro, 2003) which had said the internet is a rich, multi-layered, complex and ever-changing environment of the text. The Internet initially emerged in the 1990s greatly admired in terms of capability and sophistication. The beginning of the Internet as a tool for communication has now become a tool for social interaction, education, business and many functions and other activities. The Internet previously only used by workers in the field of computer technology and Internet-based technology that's it (Chachanidze G, 2004). If look at the fact (Ceyhan, 2011), the author was promoted to that the internet provides a wide selection, convenient opportunity, to enrich and develop one's life. It is because the internet allows unlimited sharing of information and also provides a way for an individual to cooperate and interact with computers worldwide irrespective of time and place. The contribution of the internet to the student academic achievement in mathematics can improve with help of computers. Computers are the technologies used in conveying, manipulation and storage of data by electronic means, they provide an array of powerful tools that may help in transforming the present isolated teacher-centered and text-bound classrooms into rich, student-focused, interactive knowledge environments (Ogunsola, 2005).

        On the other hand students’ ICT skills have a role to play in their academic achievement in secondary school. The use of ICT has increased and broadened the impact and skills of students on how to seek information electronically. The ICT skills that have become increasingly important in the pursuance of a degree-level education will affect both how students manipulate these e-learning resources and the way they are used for learning. ICT skills deal with the application of ICT to specific purposes. It is not just about using software package or using operating systems, neither is it concerned only with keyboarding skills and students’ ability to copy-type or follow instructions. Rather, ICT skills among undergraduates is about students’ ability to use their knowledge about ICT to find, develop and present information; whether it is text, image, or number, or all of these in an integrated task. Tariq and Cochrane (2003) noted that in recent years employers require graduate employee to be skilled in a range of areas including information and communication technology (ICT) and employers look to higher education Institutions to equip their graduates with the requisite skills. Engeldinger (1998) noted that the fundamental purpose of higher education is the preparation of students for their future. If graduates of today and tomorrow are to flourish in the modern, fast paced, high tech world, they must have information seeking and technology skills. The means of acquiring these ICT skills must be imbedded in students learning and be part and parcel of their educational experience. Adeogun (2003) reported that ICTs skills among undergraduates have broken the barriers of time, distance, location and cost of study. The ability of undergraduates to manipulate ICTs through the skills they have acquired means a lot to institutional management

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The internet is very helpful in the dissemination of information ideas and materials to students all over the world. In Nigeria today, most secondary school students have little or no knowledge on the use of internet; this could be as a result of lack of internet facilities in the learning environment, denial of access to the internet facilities or little or no computer studies in the school curriculum. Poor ICT skills and lack of internet usage can affect students’ achievement in mathematics in the areas of online learning and materials for mathematics subjects or assignment. Secondly the issue of fund can also be another challenge faced by the secondary school management in implementation of ICT facilities in the school premises. Lastly there are lots of researches on internet usage but even a single study is based on the influence of internet usage and ICT skills application on students’ achievement in mathematics in senior secondary schools; hence a need for the study. 

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study seeks to determine the influence of internet usage and ICT skills application on students’ achievement in mathematics in senior secondary schools in Obafemi Owode L.G.A of Ogun state. The objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the relationship between internet usage, ICT skills application and students’ achievement in mathematics
2. To find out if internet usage will improve students achievement in mathematics
3. To determine the extent to which ICT skills application can influence students’ achievement in mathematics in senior secondary schools in Obafemi Owode L.G.A of Ogun state
4. To identify the factors affecting internet usage, ICT application and student’s achievement in mathematics 
5. To recommend ways to improve internet usage, ICT skills application and students’ achievement in mathematics in Obafemi Owode L.G.A of Ogun state

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1.  What is the relationship between internet usage, ICT skills application and students’ achievement in mathematics?
2. Will internet usage improve students’ achievement in mathematics?
3. To what extent can ICT skills application influence students’ achievement in mathematics in senior secondary schools in Obafemi Owode L.G.A of Ogun state?
4. What are the factors affecting internet usage, ICT application and student’s achievement in mathematics? 
5. What are the ways to improve internet usage, ICT skills application and students’ achievement in mathematics in Obafemi Owode L.G.A of Ogun state?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant relationship between internet usage, ICT skills application and students’ achievement in mathematics

H1: there is significant relationship between internet usage, ICT skills application and students’ achievement in mathematics

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on the influence of internet usage and ICT skills application on students’ achievement in mathematics will be of immense benefits to senior secondary schools in Obafemi Owode L.G.A of Ogun state. The study will help the school management on the types of internet facilities to install in the learning environment. The study will also help students understand the ICT skills that will improve their achievement in mathematics. The study will help policy makers like the school administration and the ministry of education implement policy that will improve ICT knowledge in the secondary school curriculum in Nigeria. The study will serve as a repository of information, materials and ideas that researchers and students that desire to carry out similar research in the same field. Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on the influence of internet usage and ICT skills application on students’ achievement in mathematics.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers on the influence of internet usage and ICT skills application on students’ achievement in mathematics with focus on senior secondary schools in Obafemi Owode L.G.A of Ogun state

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

INTERNET:   a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide (usually preceded by the). The Internet includes commercial, educational, governmental, and other networks, all of which use thesame set of communications protocols.

COMPUTER: an electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data) in a particular form and of performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of information or signals

ICT SKILLS: ICT skills are about understanding and applying a range of computer programmes, software and other applications. These include: word processing, spreadsheets, databases, power points and search engines