ABSTRACT
The
purpose of the study was to assess the programming skills possessed by a
computer science education student for self-employment Anambra State. The population of the study
comprises a sample of a total of 100 computer science education students in
both Federal and State universities in Anambra State. Three research questions
guided the study. The instrument for data collection
was a structured questionnaire which was made up of a five (5) point rating
scale was used in the data analysis. A mean of 3.0 and above was adopted as a
cut of mark for the acceptance of items. The data collected was analysed using
mean and standard deviation. The result of the analysis shows that the students
in computer science education lack the necessary programming skills needed for
self-employment in Anambra state. Based on the findings of the study,
conclusions were drawn and 4 recommendations were made on how to better the
above-mentioned problem.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the study
Science
education aims at producing scientist for national development as well as
individuals who will be self-reliant and competent in their specialization. According
to Hornby (2010), to be competent means that a person has the ability or power
to demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitudes that are sufficiently required
to perform a given task. It is a functional ability to apply to practical
situation the essential principles and techniques of a particular subject
matter or field.
They
give complete ability training intended to prepare students for various
occupations. Assessment of programming skills means the ability of graduates of
computer science education to secure, perform well in a computer job, establish
it and manage it. If the individual is well trained in computer science
education with the necessary skills needed, then the person can possess
necessary skills for self-employment.
The
National Policy on education, Federal Ministry of Education (FME,2004) stated that the need for functional
education which should be relevant, practical and tailored towards acquisition
of appropriate skills and development of competencies and values which will
enable an individual to live and contribute meaningfully to the development of
his society.
Osuala
(2002) stated that the employable skills are those skills that help someone
keep a job. There are various areas of employable skills. Programming skills is
one of the skills required in a computer science education student for paid
jobs or self-employment upon graduation. With the proper acquisition of
programming skills, graduates from computer science program can become
self-employed for wealth creation.
Programming
has been one of the highest advancing technology in this era, which computer
science education students must possess. Dennis and Durojaiye (2000) pointed
out that anyone connected with programming needs to keep up with technological
development, competency and manipulative skills. Hence, in this study, computer
science education are being assessed to determine the level of programming
skills they possess that will enable them become self-employed on graduation.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The
growing number of idle graduates or unemployed graduates from different
disciplines and especially computer science education graduates is alarming. Buttressing
this point, the president of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI),
lamented that unemployment rate has risen to a frightening level of 23.9%,
youth unemployment is at 50%, the poverty situation has been worsening,
currently estimated at 67%.
He
also said that economic growth is not the only situation to curb unemployment
in Nigeria, because official statistics have shown that unemployment did not
always decline as economy growth. Rather, other factors such as provision of
right skills to the youth to enable them live a prosperous and fulfilled life. There
is need therefore to assess the programming skills needed by a computer science
education student so that they can make a useful living upon graduation.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The
aim of the study is to assess the programming skills needed by a computer
science education student for self-employment. Specifically, objectives of the
study is to:
·
Identify the essential programming
skills needed by a computer science education students for self-employment.
·
Outline the problems militating against
the acquisition of the basic and essential programming skills.
·
Identify strategies for enhancing
competency in programming skills among the computer science education
graduates.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The
findings of this study will be beneficial to the graduates of computer science
education, the curriculum planners, future researchers and government of the
nation.
To
graduates, the results of this study will serve as a guide to acquire the
skills and competencies required by the employers of the industry so as to
bridge the gap between the theoretical, laboratory and real life practical
experience.
To
the curriculum planners, the findings of this study will serve as a tool for
curriculum evaluation showing what needs to be removed, rearranged, and
inculcated to attain the stated educational goal of computer science education
and the entire science education program.
To
the future researchers, the result of this study will guide them on what is and
what needs to be done in the future. It will point out areas to channel their
future research using the recommendation of this study.
To
the government, it will open their mind on how to reform our educational sector
to solve the societal needs. It will also guide them on new policy and the
amendment of existing ones for achievement of the national goal or education.
1.5 Scope of the Study
This
study was delimited to assess programming skills needed by the graduates of
computer science education. The programming skills were gotten from the opinion
of the employers in the field of computer science education and experts in
computer science industries. The new trends were gotten from the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) magazine while the strategies for
effective acquisition of these skills were gotten from workshop scientist of
government owned universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
1.6 Research
Questions
In
an effort to ensure a proper study, the following research questions were
formulated.
·
To what extent does computer science
education students possess programming skills?
·
What are the factors that are militating
against the acquisition of essential programming skill by computer science
education students?
·
What are the strategies for enhancing or
improving the competencies in essential programming skills in computer science
education students for self-employments?
1.7 Definition of Terms
Entrepreneur:
a
person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the
hope of profit.
Programming:
programming is the process of writing instructions that get executed by
computers. The instructions, also known as code, are written in a programming
language which the computer can understand and use to perform a task or solve a
problem.
Skills
Acquisition: is the ability to be trained on a particular task or
function and become expert in it. It is a pity that there is “huge” parading of
unemployment in many parts of the world today especially in Nigeria.
Computer:
A
computer is a device that can be instructed to carry out sequences of
arithmetic or logical operations automatically via computer programming.
Modern computers have the ability to follow generalized sets of
operations, called programs.
Employment:
is
a relationship between two parties, usually based on a contract where work is
paid for, where one party, which may be a corporation, for profit,
not-for-profit organization, co-operative or other entity is the employer and
the other is the employee.
Assessment:
the
process of considering the amount or value of something, or the decision that
is made
Competency:
the
ability to do something successfully or efficiently.
Education:
is
the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills,
values, beliefs, and habits. Educational methods include storytelling,
discussion, teaching, training, and directed research.
Management: includes the activities of setting the
strategy of an organization and coordinating the efforts of its employees (or
of volunteers) to accomplish its objectives through the application of
available resources, such as financial, natural, technological, and human
resources.
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