Towards Qualitative Computer Science Education: Engendering Effective Teaching Methods

Abstract

An investigation into the teaching method(s) that can effectively yield qualitative computer science education in Basic Schools becomes necessary due to the Nigerian government policy on education. The government's policy stipulates that every graduate of Basic Schools or UBE (Universal Basic education) should be computer literate. This policy intends to ensure her citizens are ICT (Information and Communication Technology) compliant. The foregoing thus necessitatesthe production of highly qualified manpower--grounded in computer knowledge--to implement the computer science education strand of the UBE curriculum. Accordingly, this research investigates the opinion of computer teacher-trainees on the teaching methods used while on training. Some of the teacher-trainees--that taught computer study while on teaching practice--were systematically sampled using "Purposive" sampling technique. The results show consensus in male and female teacher-trainees' views; both gender agreed that all the teaching methods used, while on training, will engender effective teaching of computer study. On the whole, the mean performance ratings of male teacher-trainees were found to be higher than that of females. However, this is not in accord with the target set by Universal Basic Education Commission which intends to eliminate gender disparity in the UBE programme. The results thussuggestthe need for further investigation using larger sample.