SIGNIFICANCE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION

SIGNIFICANCE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (A CASE STUDY OF OJO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE)

 

ABSTRACT

This project is focused on the significance of science and technology in enhancing educational development.

It is crucial to note that the rationale behind the choice of this topic is to create awareness on the indefatigable roles played by science and technology to educational development in Nigeria. It also examined the significance of science and technology in enhancing educational development.

The hypothesis formulated for the study were fore-tested based on the responses of fifty (50) randomly selected respondents for data collection. More so, the data collected were analyzed using chi-square method . The result of findings indicate that the hypothesis were rejected.

Based on the findings, recommendations were made that science and technology contribute immensely to educational development.  

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The Nigerian educational system took its root from the traditional system of the pre-colonial era. This was a period of blacksmithing, pot making, traditional medicine, hunting, etc learning at that time was characterized by apprenticeship and much of unrealized and unexplained science and technology were practiced. There was no formal curriculum but the training was relevant to the needs of the society. Some authors described the training as somehow primitive and localized (Ajeyalemi, 2008), because it was informal. Essentially, the science that was regarded as informal and indigenous was practiced in the pre-colonial era. It was stimulating, informative and useful. It provided a lead way for understanding, interpreting and relating with the world and nature. The limitations however are numerous especially in its inability to provide adequate scientific explanations for causes and events observed in the natural world. The science practice lacked documentation and it was conservative and authoritarian. The era ushered in Western education with the advent of missionaries in Nigeria. It was through this that the informal or crude science became reformed as the formal science end technology. There was better understanding that transformed individual and Nigeria as an entity from the world of yesterday to western world characterized by increasing discoveries, inventions and innovations.

This development also paved the way for the integration of science and technology in the curricula of schools. The curriculum conference of 1969 finally gave rise to a change in Nigerian educational policy which cemented the urge to develop relevant education system that would serve as a tool fro accelerating national growth and development. The stride championed a reformation in science and technology education in Nigeria. The science that is formal involve a systematic study of natural phenomena and its study allows students to experience the richness and the excitement of the natural world as they engage in inquiry critical thinking and demonstration of skills. The scientific enterprise is one that is challenging and innovative. It blends with technology which focuses on inventions and problem solving. Consequently, the harmonious interplay of science, technology and society is the springboard for sustainable development. It equally facilitates and enhances industrial and technological progress among the people and within a nation. This consciousness stems into global agitations for literary in science and technology

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICIES

The promotion of science and technology education is a warmly embraced venture. Nigeria educational system prioritized science and technology with policies that are favourably disposed to science and technology education. The national policy on education and the national policy on science and technology made good provisions for science and technology education. Government through the education policy empowered the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the Basic Education, the senior secondary education, technical and scientific education and tertiary education with robust plan for science and technology education in the programmes. (FGN, 2004). The policy came into existence in 1977 and education was conceived as an instrument “par excellence” in achieving national unity, objectives and goals. The policy derives its philosophy from the five main goals which are:

  1. A free and democratic society
  2. A just and egalitarian society
  3. A united, strong and self – reliant nation
  4. A great and dynamic economy, and
  5. A land of bring and full opportunities for all citizen

While adopting education is an instrument par excellence, the federal government gave premium on the importance of science and technology and in line with global perspectives of science for all, made provisions for science and technology education in the national policy on education. Meanwhile the aims and objectives of Nigerian education according to the policy include:

  1. The inculcation of national consciousness and national unity
  2. The inculcation of right type of values and attitudes for the survival of the individual and the Nigerian society
  3. The training of the mind in the understanding of the world around
  4. The acquisition of appropriate skills, abilities and competencies both mental and physical as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of the society.

Hence, Omosehin (2005) unveils that the term education has various meanings, depending on the point the individual takes.

According to Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (1995), education is the process by which one’s mind develops through learning in a school, college or university or the knowledge gained by the learner from what is being taught by the teacher.

Fafunwa (1974) believes that education is the sum of all the processes by which a child or young adult develops the abilities, attitudes and other forms of behaviour which are of positive value of the society in which he lives.

Ogbebor (1993) defines education as a means of presenting the way of life in which a person believes.

Education should be a continuous process in the lives of human beings, it has to be transmitted from generation to generation through which there will be continuity of life and preservation of culture science and technology is also part of education which also has to be learnt, practicalized and even if properly taken care of and cause vocational skills and enhance self reliance and economic and political development of the country, content and the world at large.

As the world progresses towards advancement of science and technology. The world is been turned into a global village and this has turned round the educational sector of the globe. Taking for instance, the National Open Universities of Nigeria (NOUN) is a diploma degree and post graduate, degree awarding institution, where students can read on their own pace with ease instructional contents course materials, textbooks etc are sent through internet, results are also obtained through he same avenue and everything meeting up with the global standard.

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1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In view of the background to the study the research looks into the following problem.

Science and technology is an important tool to determine the level of development in any nation. It has to cut across all the spheres of life of any nation be it economy, political, education, religion and others.

In Nigeria, the level of development is very low in all sectors but educational sector is the major concern of this research work. It is experiencing a setback as a result of low level of science and technological development which is now having effect in educational development.

1.3   PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is summarized as follows:

  1. To find out the real meaning of science and technology
  2. To explain the importance of science and technology to the society
  3. To find out the real meaning of education
  4. To demystify the relevance of science and technology in educational development

1.4   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research work is to create awareness to the people on the importance of science and technology to the immediate community. Then it will also look into the various ways through which science and technology contribute significantly to the development of the educational setting.

Through this, there will be a better appreciation of this contest when applied, not just to the classroom setting business the nation at large and also help establish the 1977 National Policy on Education implemented by FGN, 2004.

1.5   RESEARCH QUESTION

  1. What is the relevance of science and technology to the development of the nation?
  2. What is the relevance of science and technology in educational development?
  3. What can science do to enhance educational development?
  4. What are the efforts required by teacher to distinguish the difference between the teaching of science education and technology in the development of education?

1.6   RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

H1:    There is no significant relationship between science and technology in the development of the nation.

H2:    There is no significant difference of science and technology in educational development.

H3:    There is no significant hindrance of science and technology to educational development.

H4:    There is no significant difference between teaching of science and technology in the development of education.

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work is focused on the impact of science and technology in enhancing educational development within Ojo Local Government of Lagos State. The researcher will visit selected schools to acquire information by the use of a prepared questionnaire under the monitoring of the teachers.

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