Dr. Asuquo Bassey Asuquo, Bassey Omeh Anthony, Mrs. Mary Abutunghe
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of social learning environment on acquisition of basic computer skills among secondary school students in Cross River State, Nigeria. In pursuance of this objective, three research questions were raised and converted to three null hypotheses. Ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of all SS 2 students of public secondary schools offering Computer Science in Cross River State. The sample consisted of 784 students drawn from 12 secondary schools using multi-purpose sampling techniques. Social learning environment and students’ computer skills acquisition questionnaire (LESCSAQ) was the instrument used to collect data. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson product moment correlation (r) analysis. Findings revealed that there was a significant positive influence of teacher-students, students-students relationship and practical teaching method on students acquisition of computer skills in terms of ability to use keyboard device effectively, to manipulate the mouse device effectively, to switch between application windows and to enter data in Microsoft environment. On the whole, conducive learning environment contributes 94.5 percent of the promotion of students’ acquisition of basic computer skills. It was concluded that conducive learning environment positively influenced students’ acquisition of basic computer skills. It was recommended among others that enough computers should be made available to students in schools and also accessible to students’ usage at regular basis, teachers, through their teaching should help student develop positive attitudes towards usage through cordial relationships as these could exercise great influence to their success.