This study reported the use of a Free Open Source Software (FOSS), the Microsoft Learning Content Development System (Ms LCDS) to design and develop a learning package in electrical and electronic technology for teaching thermionic emission and investigated the acceptability and usability of the learning package. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. 80 students of electrical and electronics engineering and technology were randomly selected from two higher institutions in the country. A structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.89 was used for data collection. Six research questions were raised and data collected was analysed using mean, standard deviation and Multiple Regression at 0.05 level of significance. The research findings revealed high acceptability and usability levels of the learning package (Mean=5.14 and Mean=3.35 respectively). A significant joint effect of self-efficacy, attitude and subjective satisfaction was revealed on acceptability (F (3, 76) =9.458; p<0.05) while a significant joint effect of perceived enjoyment, self-efficacy, attitude and subjective satisfaction was revealed on usability (F (4, 75) =9.418; p<0.05). Based on the findings, it is recommended amongst other things that computer assisted materials or packages be developed for topics that may need some extra support to teach.
Gender differences are one aspect of the overall cultural differences that exist between human beings. National/ethnic and gender differences constitute the socio-cultural factors that influence perceptions and behaviors. Gender differences found across a wide variety of disciplines apply equally well to emerging computer-based technologies. One of the new technological systems is the computer described as a device for the most effective communication and individual education. The success of technology-based instruction usage for learning is primarily due to its potential to integrate various types of media but gender inequality in learners' perception of, attitude towards, and intention to use technology, belief, view, motives and motivation, and behavioural intention has created disparity in their acceptance and use of this new technologies. Therefore, this study investigates gender differences in acceptability and usability of a computer learning package for teaching thermionic emission in electrical and electronics technology. This study adopts a Causal comparative research design with the design and development of the learning package. 80 students in 200 Level and ND1 (First Year Students of National Diploma) of the department of Electrical and Electronics engineering and Technology in a University and Polytechnic in Ogun State formed the respondents for the study. 40 students are randomly selected from each school with the total number of 18 females and 62 males. The developed package and 43 questionnaire items were used as data collection tools. The designed and developed package was presented to each student for interaction and later the structured questionnaire (Cronbach alpha = 0.89) was administered to the respondents for data collection. Two research questions were raised and two hypotheses were tested in the study. Data collected were analysed using T-test at 0.05 level of significance. The research findings revealed a non significant gender difference in both acceptability and usability of the FOSS-based package (df = 78; t = 1.620; P > 0.05 and df = 78; t = 0.668; P > 0.05 respectively). Based on the findings, it is concluded that there most likely will not be gender differences in the achievement of males and females using this computer based package. Consequently reducing the gender gap in science and technology.
This study reported the use of a Free Open Source Software (FOSS) based learning package in teaching basic technology among Junior Secondary Schools students in Nigeria. This study adopted a quasi-experimental design, Specifically, the pretest, post-test, non-equivalent control group design. 118 students of basic technology II (JSS2) were selected through multi stage sampling from four junior secondary schools in the country. Two of the schools with 60 students were used as control group while the remaining two schools with 58 students were used as experimental group. A validated Energy-Based Technological Appliances Achievement Test (ETAAT) was used for data collection. A reliability coefficient of 0.82 was obtained using test-retest reliability technique and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Three research questions guided the study and three hypotheses were tested; Data collected were analysed using mean for the research questions and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The research findings revealed that the experimental group taught basic technology with a FOSS based learning package had a higher academic achievement than those taught with the traditional lecture method. Also, with calculated F-value of 526.627 and probability value (significance of F) of .000, a statistically significant difference was revealed between the two modes of instructions. No significant difference was found between male and female students achievement on the effect of FOSS learning package in enhancing achievement in basic technology with calculated F-value of 4.659 and significance of F at .330. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst other things that the use of Free Open Source Software based learning package should be adopted by teachers and school administrators to facilitate meaningful learning in basic technology. Also, computer assisted materials or packages be developed for topics that may need some extra support to teach.
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