Teachers’ Characteristics and Student Competence on Achievement in Computer Studies, in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Teaching and learning of Computer Studies requires new approaches to develop in students, reasonable level of competence in the use of computer. Available literature shows that most studies over the years focused on the use of computer resources in teaching and learning, with only a few addressing teacher's factors and students' competence. This study therefore, examined teacher characteristics and competence of students on achievement in Computer Studies. Survey design was adopted. Simple random sampling was used to select Ikom and Calabar education zone. Purposive sampling was used to select 41 schools (Ikom-21, Calabar-20). From each selected school, JSS 1, 2 and 3 students were randomly selected. A total of 2,127 students and 63 Computer Studies teachers participated in the study. A Teachers' Computer Competence Questionnaire (TCCQ) r= (0.74); Students' Computer Competence Questionnaire (SCCQ) r= (.83) and Computer Studies Achievement Test (CSAT) for JSS 1, 2 and 3 (r=.76, r=.82 and r=.78) were used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions at 0.05. Forty-four percent of the teachers qualified in teaching Computer Studies. The three variables jointly predicted student' achievement in Computer Studies F(3,2110)=19.464, P<0.05, while Teachers Competence [β=-.041, t(2110)=-1.979,p<.05] and Student Competence [β=-.133, t(2110)=-6.372, p<.05] were the most significant and persuasive variables in predicting students' achievement in Computer Studies. Hence, for teaching of Computer Studies to be effective, teachers and students' competence should be improved on.