Students' perception of e-classroom and their motivation in learning computer science in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Several studies have established relationship between nature of learning environment and students' learning outcomes. In favour to this, teachers are ardently called upon to create favourable learning environment for attainment of educational objectives. Students' perception of learning environment was confirmed to have direct bearing to their learning outcomes. Incorporation of technology-based learning strategies has today made investigations into relationship of learning environment and other classroom variables very crucial. Teachers, employers, administrators and stakeholders in educational research and development can use the results of such studies to improve teaching and productivity. This research work aimed at investigating the relationship between students' perception of e-classroom and their motivation in learning Computer Science. Three research questions were stated to guide the study. The study was carried in Bauchi State, Nigeria, involving 100 Senior Secondary II students drawn from ten senior secondary schools using stratified proportionate random sampling technique. The design of the study was correlation survey and data were collected using two instruments. These were Students Perception of E-classroom Inventory (SPEI) and Computer Motivation Questionnaire (CMQ). The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 17. The analyses of the data revealed that the students' perception of e – classroom was favourable and students from female schools perceived e-classroom more favourably than students from male schools. The analyses also showed that students' motivation in learning Computer Science was relatively high. Generally, the students gave more emphasis to computer learning value “an aspect of motivation”. In addition, male students were highly motivated in learning Computer Science than female students. Further, the analysis had confirmed that there was no relationship between students' perception of e-classroom and their motivation in learning Computer Science. Based on the findings, some recommendations were given. Some of them include Computer Science teachers should regularly assess students' perception of e-classroom purposely to ascertain which aspect of the e - class is not influential in their learning of Computer Science. In addition investigation into aspects that promote students' motivation in learning Computer Science should be encouraged