Understanding Student Attitude Towards Computer Education: A Survey of SHS in the Sunyani Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore students’ dispositions and attitudes toward computer education. The need for the study emanated from the relevance of computer education in human and national development and the state’s interest in ICT for development which has made the study of the subject compulsory for all senior high school students. Explorative survey design was used and questionnaire was the tool developed to gather data from the respondents. The sample was selected through stratified and simple random techniques. The study disclosed that the majority of the students did not have access to computers at home and those who had it have not had it for long. The study also revealed that the female students had more positive attitude towards computer education than their male counterparts. Nonetheless, students did not perceive teachers to be giving preferential treatment to any of the gender groups during ICT lessons. The study recommends that the Government policy on “One Laptop Per Child” must be vigorously pursued to enable all senior high school students to have access to computers at home to improve their competencies and knowledge in Information Technology.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n1p11