Effect of computer assisted learning on learners attitude and mastery of content in science in primary schools in Kisumu East district, Kenya

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the effect of Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) module in the teaching of Human circulatory system in standard seven in selected Primary Schools in Kisumu East District. The purpose of this study was therefore to design a CAL module and measure its effects on students' achievement and attitude towards learning Science concepts. The study was conducted in a classroom setting. It involved comparisons between two experimental groups (E1 and E2) and two control groups (C1 and C2). A quasi experimental research design known as Solomon four design was used. Four primary schools in Kisumu East District were purposively sampled on the basis of the availability of computers. The target population comprised of primary schools pupils in Kisumu East district. The accessible population being all class seven pupils. 159 pupils took part in the study. All the 159 pupils were exposed to the same content of Human circulatory system in science taught in eight lessons over a period of four weeks. Two dependant measures: Science Achievement Test (SAT), Students attitude questionnaire (SAQ) were used to investigate the effects of CAL on the subjects achievement and attitude towards science. Both qualitative and quantitative data was generated hence both descriptive (means and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test and analysis of Variance) were used to analyse the data and to test the hypothesis. All test of significance were conducted at 0.05 level of significance with the help of computer program, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis of the findings indicate that (i) CAL module resulted in significant learning gains better attitudes towards Science and the topic Human circulatory system., (ii) CAL module alleviated the problem of teaching science topics that is considered difficult to teach and learn it provided better opportunity for pupils participation and interaction. The CAL module is therefore a better method for teaching/ learning science