Computer Familiarity and Academic Achievement of Undergraduates in Introduction to Ecology Computer-Based Test in Federal University of Technology Minna ecology

Abstract

The significance of ICTs in the transformation of several aspects of living in the contemporary societies can never be over-emphasized. Educational testing has been experiencing a transition from analogue to digital testing known as Computer-Based Test. Despite the low level of ICT compliance in Nigeria, several institutions of learning have been adopting the innovative testing mode as to improve the quality of assessment. The challenge remains how relevant is computer familiarity for a valid electronic testing? This study was aimed at determining the effect of computer familiarity on students’ achievement in Biology in Federal University of Technology Minna. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The participants were 1,130 first year science students purposefully sampled from the population 5,576 first year students who were enrolled in Introductory Ecology course of Federal University of Technology Minna. Three Instruments, BIO121 Test, Computer Familiarity Scale were used for data generation which were validated with reliability indices of .78 and .86 respectively. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential statistics precisely independent t-test. The results revealed that the students had moderate achievement in BIO121 CBT, had more computer familiarity, there was significant difference between first year male and female students’ mean familiarity scores and there was significant difference between less and more computer familiar Students ‘mean achievement scores. The study concluded that computer familiarity is paramount to the academic achievement in CBT. It was recommended among others that students should have adequate practical orientation on CBT before any testing exercise.