Application of Innovative Technologies in Computer Science Education during Covid-۱۹ School Closure in Enugu

The study examines the application of innovative technologies in Computer Science education during the Coronavirus school closure in Enugu, Nigeria. A total of One hundred and fifty (۱۵۰) structured questionnaires were administered online to participants that consisted of Computer science students and educators from four (۴) different tertiary institutions in Enugu State. This is in addition to secondary data sources generated from journals and the Internet. The sample was selected using the Stratified random sampling technique. Thereafter, the collected data were analyzed using simple percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation. While the hypotheses were tested using a T-test. The results show that technologies such as Smartphones, Laptops, Desktop computers, E-readers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Projectors, Smartboards, Videoconferencing tools e.g. Zoom and Google Meet, and wearable technologies were largely available and used by most of the respondents during the COVID-۱۹ school closure. Also, the findings show that majority of the participants admitted using the various mentioned technologies for; virtual academic meetings, access to the internet and online educational resources, lesson/ assignment preparations, participation in e-learning/online classes, conduct/taking of e-examinations and assessments, and communications with students/teachers and colleagues. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents admitted that “They felt very confident and comfortable using the various technologies for teaching and learning during the COVID-۱۹ school closure. However, most of the respondents expressed concerns about; constant power failure, internet connection issues, financial or cost issues, and lack of institutional support which were found to have impeded the use of technology for Computer Science education during the COVID-۱۹ school closure. The work conclude that relevant authorities should invest more in education technology and other necessary infrastructures that support the integration of innovations and technologies that enhance the teaching and learning of modern-day realities in schools.

Keywords:

Innovative technologies , Edutech , Zoom App , Smartphones , COVID-۱۹ , Computer science , E-learning