Effects of Computer tutor on students achievement and retention in Basic Science and Technology in Gwagwalada Area council of federal capital territory

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of computer tutor on learners’ achievement and retention in Basic Science and Technology (BST). Two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted the quasi-experimental design. The sample for the study was 136 JSII students from four intact classes in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, who served as the subject of the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select two schools. The instrument used for data collection was Basic Science and Technology Achievement Test (BSTAT). The face and contest validation of BSTAT was carried out and content validated. The reliability coefficient of BSTAT was determined using Kuder-Richardson formula 20 (K-R 20), which yielded an internal consistency correlation coefficient of 0.69. Data were collected and analysed with mean, standard deviation and (ANCOVA). Findings revealed that the computer tutor enhanced learners’ achievement and retention in BST. Consequently, it was recommended that the computer tutor be used for effective learning and teaching of BST in secondary schools to enhance learners’ achievement and learning retention in BST and that computers should be made available in schools by the Government so that every student will have access to computers and make use of them in learning.