Abstract
This study investigated the availability and utilization of robotics kits in teaching computer studies in secondary schools in Enugu state using a descriptive survey design. Four research questions guided the study. The sample for the study is made up of 30 teachers selected from ten schools. A structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. The instrument was face validated by three experts and yielded a reliability of 0.89. The data collected for the study were analysed using percentage, mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The results of this study show that the only available robotics technology for teaching computer studies in secondary schools in Enugu state are Python tutorial packages and temperature sensors. While Lego Mindstorm Education EV3, Lego Mindstorms robotics tool Kits, Arduino Kits, Raspberry Pi, Scratch (Block programming) package, PIR motion sensor and Ultrasonic sensor were not available, their extent of utilization in teaching computer studies in secondary schools was low. Also, the challenges militating against the utilization of robotics technology for teaching computer studies in secondary schools in Enugu State were found to include: the high cost of robotics kits, inadequate physical infrastructure, and insufficient budget allocation for purchasing robotics technology tools, among others. The study also recommended some measures for addressing these challenges, namely provision of grants to schools and departments to minimise the high cost of robotics equipment, adequate provision of physical infrastructure for teaching robotics by schools and the provision of periodic retraining of teachers on how to use robotics tool kits in teaching.
Keywords: Availability; utilization; Robotics Kits; Teaching; Secondary Schools
Publication Date: 2023-09-09