Computer-Aided-Instruction (CAI) as an Innovative Method for Optimizing the Quality of Social Studies Lecturers in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions for Quality Teacher Education in Nigeria

Ibeawuchi Mezieobi ,Chukwuma J Onyeanusi ,Nwamaka Regina Chukwu ,Loveth Chukwu

doi:10.5539/res.v11n2p41

Abstract

This study focused on Computer-Aided-Instruction (CAI) as an innovative method for optimizing the quality of Social Studies lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions for quality teacher education in Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, three research questions were posed to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consisted of all the one hundred and sixty-two (162) Social studies education lecturers in public universities and colleges of education in South-East, Nigeria. A sample of 108 social studies lecturers was drawn for the study, using cluster sampling technique. Relevant data for the study were collected using a &ldquo;Questionnaire on Effectiveness of CAI in Optimizing the Quality of Social Studies Lecturers in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions&rdquo;. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study indicated that: many social studies lecturers are not acquainted with the requisite knowledge and skills for teaching social studies; a good number of social studies lecturers are not acquainted with CAI as an innovative trend for accessing information; and that CAI helps in optimizing the quality of social studies lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Following the findings of this study, conclusion was drawn and recommendations were made to include that professionally qualified social studies lecturers should be recruited to teach social studies in Nigerian tertiary institutions, social studies lecturers ought to update their computer competences among others. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Highlights

Social studies is an educational discipline that is highly relevant to social, political, cultural, economic and technological development of a nation (Mezieobi, Ossai, Onyeanusi & Egharevba, 2012)
This study focused on Computer-Aided-Instruction (CAI) as an innovative method for optimizing the quality of Social Studies lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions for quality teacher education in Nigeria
The findings of the study indicated that: many social studies lecturers are not acquainted with the requisite knowledge and skills for teaching social studies; a good number of social studies lecturers are not acquainted with Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) as an innovative trend for accessing information; and that CAI helps in optimizing the quality of social studies lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions

Summary

Introduction

Social studies is an educational discipline that is highly relevant to social, political, cultural, economic and technological development of a nation (Mezieobi, Ossai, Onyeanusi & Egharevba, 2012). It is value-ladened (Nwaubani, 2010). Following the inevitability of social studies in nation building and national development in Nigeria, it is quite imperative that social studies lecturers are acquainted with adequate knowledge, skills and pedagogies for teaching social studies through the use of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) which is an innovative method for boosting the effectiveness and quality of social studies lecturers for effective teacher education in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) is an innovative method of instruction that encourages interaction and instruction between the computer and a learner. Its functions as Nwosu further maintained include presentation of materials or problem situation, guiding students‟ thinking, responding to students‟ questions, assessing students‟ performances, managing students‟ path through a course by selecting materials to be presented and assigning tasks to be performed or any combination of the functions

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion