COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN EDUCATION

UGOCHUKWU MATTHEW O. a OKAFOR NWAMAKA U.b

macdon4ru2003@yahoo.com makas4christ2000@yahoo.com

aDepartment of Computer Science, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic Kazaure, Jigawa State , Nigeria

b
Department of Computer Science, University College Dublin , Republic of Ireland .

Abstract
Computers are used actively in education to improve the quality and learning outcomes. Teachers can use audio,
video and graphics aids through computer to prepare lesson plans. The use of Microsoft Power Point to prepare
and deliver electronic presentations to the audiences is a very good aspect of interactive pedagogy. These
electronic presentations will be displayed on multimedia projectors in the class rooms where everyone will be
engaged in the modern teaching methodology . This will be interesting and easy to learn by the students.
Multimedia presentations are easy to deliver by the teachers and for interactive participatory pedagogy . These
presentations save a lot of efforts and time and ensure increase productivity in the overall classroom
management. Moreover, multimedia presentations are interesting to view and hear and sound, visual effects
makes lectures much emphatic. Computers will be helpful in educational business and making it less boring for
active engagement. The utilization of computer resources within schools will impact additionally in
technological advancements and in methodology of teaching and learning. At present the computer technology
had witnessed advancements in all facets of human managerial responsibilities as it incorporates all aspect of
media for its interactive engagement. Today, computer development is leading in innovation as it is rapidly
creating headways in education through innovations looking at the increase in availability of modern computing
device like Mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistance all with the capabilities to impact positively towards
knowledge transfer . Changes in science and technology had brought into lime light the key aspects of computer
in the scope of information management in other words referred to as Information Technology (IT). Computers
have touched the lives of many students living in the remotest part of our planet. There is no point denying the
way that computers absolutely controlled the life of a typical student either graduate or undergraduate. In this
presentation we outlined the applications or uses of computers and its significance to teaching and learning in
the worldwide educational perspective.

Key word: Computer, Education, Learning and Pedagogy

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Computer is technological improvement and
innovation designed under the control of set of stored
program that is capable perform a set of intellectual
traits of a human being. It is an innovative driven
gadget outfitted with command interface, electronic
digital circuitry, storage departments , microscopic
semiconductor recording devices for the quick logical
execution of wired commands or operations. Reith
H., (1993) ,defined Personal Computer (PC) as an
electronic device which stores information on
magnetic tapes or disks; scrutinize it and produces
information as required from the data on the tape.
Adekemi A.A (2001), defined computer as a mix of
related devices fit for tolerating to deal with issues
data, performing described operations on the data, and
supplying the eventual outcomes of these operations.

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Hence, computer could be said to be a human-made
machine made up of electronic components that works
information at a quick to convey results that are
noteworthy to the customer. It is basically a processor
of information. Computer is a machine proposed to
make life less requesting in view of its speed,
exactness, and ability to store significant measure of
information and to finish extensive and multifaceted
operation devoid of individual mediation. Computers,
paying little respect to sort and size have five basic
parts in particular, Input Unit, Memory Units, Control
Units (CU), Arithmetic and Logic Units (ALU) and
Output Units. Both ALU and CU are joined into one
piece of gear/hardware known as the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) which is the computer
cerebrum. According to Adekemi A.A (2001), the key
components of Personal Computers are:
(a) To store the input or information.
(b) Process the input or information.
(c) Show the output of the information processed.
The computer recognizes data through its information
devices, for instance, the mouse, screen, keyboard,
light pen, scanner, joystick, microphone et cetera. It
shapes data, stores it and processes it and shows
through the output devices for instance, monitor,
printer headphone etc. There are some sorts of
computers among which the central sorts are the
analog, digital and hybrid. Analog computers are
brought into play for measuring changes in incessant
physical or electrical states. These fuse voltage, pace,
weight, temperature, length and volume. Whereas
digital computers are brought into play to perform
estimation by counting number certainly while data
are identified with by discrete states of the computer
electronic equipment. digital computers change over
data to binary form. Last but not least the hybrid
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computers are the blend of analogue and digital
computers and acknowledged to have found much
relevance in control and feedback processes.
Headways showing up today exhibit that the word is
dependent on computer development Ajibade A
(2006). The computer is not only an entertainment or
word processing and accounting single-handedly, it is
an amazing learning tool for people of all age, fields
and professions.
1.1 THE NEED FOR COMPUTER IN
EDUCATION
The world is advancing at a quick rate. Events have
moved to the electronic stage with the computer at the
centre. This change has brought a lot of advancement
and change into education/teaching and learning. The
3R's which structures the centre of the old game plan
of education has seen course of action of
capability/reform changes. The world is presently in
the time of information development or ICT age, there
is a need to stay abreast of time . One of the routines
for finishing this is through the presentation of
computer guideline in our establishments of learning.
Computer education, Computer in Education is the
effort or the ability to put forth the complete
expression of the all-inclusive community computer
skills and harnessing its potentials in driving
innovation. Computer literacy refers to the ability to
tell the computer what you require it to do and aligning
with the expectation and knowing what the computer
has returned as the output or feedback. To have
computer skills entails having the potentials to
scrutinize , examine, analyse , synthesize and respond
in the language of the computer Ajibade A (2006).
Computer Education in itself represent knowledge and
dexterity in handling Computer task , fitting properly
into the computing jobs, computer training, Computer
Assisted Instruction (CAI), Computer Aided Design,
digital knowledge and Computer Appreciation.
Computer Education is not just knowing how to use a
computer to process task or having perquisite
knowledge about computer usage. Computer
Education a system learning of the basic computer
technology , its operation , logistics , attributes and
behaviour and being able to develop the knowledge
into cognate component capable of generating
invention . Among the terms used to portray computer
in a learning area are Computer - Based Education
(CBE), Computer Managed Instruction (CMI),
Computer Supported Learning (CSL), Computer
Assisted Learning (CAL), Computerized Instruction
(CI), Computer Assisted Teacher/instructor (CAI) et
cetera, Amani M. Albarkati,Saudi Arabia (2016). The
computer is a careful , consistent, self-evaluating
teacher which has a number of systems for self-
instruction encoded within it . A computer device can
show suggestions of the right words to be inputted,
sound component to be made, alternative action to be
taken after or before actions are committed ,video ,
pictures and symbols to be responded to by any set of
feedback procedure. Computer often times are
brought into play to perform critical survey,
understudy's performance and evaluation and as well
redirect actions backward, forward and sideways to fit
learning outcomes . Its understanding memories and
unending cognitive abilities are assets that oppose
contention from traditional knowledge paradigm. This
suggest that a computer is more intelligent than some
human beings .
According to Fajola O.O, (2001),In task and in job
processing , the computer is determined and
consistent in its strategy for operation, as it doesn't
encounter the negative impacts of tiredness or
nonappearance of attentiveness like people.
“Computer carries out multi-valuable parts in teaching
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and learning strategies at all levels. At the vital and
helper levels of education students or understudies can
research and make learning through computer
program. At the tertiary level, it can be brought into
play to store the step by step or week by week
impression of examinations in science. It can be
exercised to mix and separate shading or colors, scan,
draw, layout diverse things and make graphs and
outlines for instructional purposes”, Ajibade A (2006).
According to Adekemi A,A ,(2001),Computer
information can be secured in manual records in the
computer magnetic disks and recouped when required.
This is were computer behave relatively like human.
1.2 CATEGORIZED COMPUTER SOFTWARE
PACKAGES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
[A.] Microsoft Encarta Multimedia Encyclopaedia
Microsoft Encarta Multimedia Encyclopaedia
produced by Microsoft Corporation between (1993–
2009) is an exceptional research and educational
Multimedia content designed to imitate internet
platform in the aspect of knowledge reposition.
Encarta's standard edition included approximately
50,000 articles, with additional images, videos and
sounds. The premium editions contained over 62,000
articles and other multimedia content, such as 25,000
pictures and illustrations, over 300 videos and
animations, and an interactive atlas with 1.8 million
locations. Its articles were integrated with multimedia
content and could include links to websites selected by
its editors. Encarta's articles in general were less
lengthy and more summarized than the printed version
of Encyclopædia Britannica or the online Wikipedia.
Like most multimedia encyclopaedias, Encarta's
articles tended to provide an overview of the subject
rather than an exhaustive coverage and can only be In modern spreadsheet applications, several
viewed one at a time. spreadsheets, often known as worksheets or
[B.] EXCEL SPREAD SHEET simply sheets, are gathered together to form
a workbook. A workbook is physically represented by
A spreadsheet is an interactive computer
a file, containing all the data for the book, the +
application for organization, analysis and storage
of data in tabular form. Spreadsheets developed as sheets and the cells with the sheets. Worksheets are
computerized analogs of paper normally represented by tabs that flip between pages,
accounting worksheets.[4] The program operates on each one containing one of the sheets,
data entered in cells of a table. Each cell may contain although Numbers changes this model significantly.
either numeric or text data, or the results
of formulas that automatically calculate and display a
value based on the contents of other cells. A
spreadsheet may also refer to one such electronic
document.

Spreadsheet users can adjust any stored value and

observe the effects on calculated values. This makes
the spreadsheet useful for "what-if" analysis since
many cases can be rapidly investigated without
manual recalculation. Modern spreadsheet software
can have multiple interacting sheets, and can display
data either as text and numerals, or in graphical form.
Spreadsheet programs also provide conditional
expressions, functions to convert between text and
numbers, and functions that operate on strings of text.
Spreadsheets have replaced paper-based systems
throughout the business world. Although they were
first developed for accounting or bookkeeping tasks,
they now are used extensively in any context where
tabular lists are built, sorted, and shared.
A spreadsheet consists of a table of cells arranged into
rows and columns and referred to by the X and Y
locations. X locations, the columns, are normally
represented by letters, "A", "B", "C", etc., while rows
are normally represented by numbers, 1, 2, 3, etc. A
single cell can be referred to by addressing its row
and column, "C10" for instance.
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Fig 1. Computation of Students Result using
Microsoft Excel
[C.] Microsoft Power Point
Microsoft PowerPoint is a Microsoft Office suite
Program. The purpose of this program is to make
electronic slide shows. According to Mahin, L.
(2004), 1.25 million PowerPoint presentations take
place every hour . One study has found that 97% of
visual aids in organizations today use presentation
software . PowerPoint is almost ubiquitous in the
classroom of today. A large number of educators have
and use PowerPoint in the classroom .The benefit to
slide shows is that it can incorporate sounds, music
file, video files, images, graphs, data, and generally
appeals more to the human senses.. PowerPoint
presentations consists of "slides" or pages. On each
slide a user can place text, graphics, movies, sound or
other types of multimedia. The presentations can be
printed or viewed on a computer. The computer can
transmit the information to an overhead [E.] Microsoft Access Database
projector, Smart board or online webcasting Microsoft Access is a database management
programs.
system from Microsoft that combines the
[D.] Microsoft Office Word relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a
Microsoft Office Window is available stand-alone or graphical user interface and software-
as part of the Microsoft Office suite. Word contains development tools. It is a member of the
rudimentary desktop publishing capabilities and is the Microsoft Office suite applications, included in the
most widely used word processing program on the Professional and higher editions or sold
market. Word files are commonly used as the format separately.
for sending text documents via e-mail because almost Data can Integrated between Access Dbase and line-
every user with a computer can read a Word document of-business apps using the Access connector library to
by using the Word application, a Word viewer or a generate aggregated visuals and insights in the
word processor that imports the Word format. familiar Access interface. The data information can
easily be stored in SQL Server and Microsoft Azure
Word 2010 allows more customization of the Ribbon,
SQL to enhance reliability, scalability, security, and
adds a Backstage view for file management, has
long-term manageability.
improved document navigation, allows creation and
embedding of screenshots, and integrates with Word
Web App.

Fig 4. Microsoft Access Database enterprise

Environment

[F.] SPSS (STATISTICAL PACKAGE FOR THE

SOCIAL SCIENCES)

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences also

known as IBM SPSS Statistics, is a software package
used for the analysis of statistical data.
Fig 3. Environment View of Microsoft Office
World
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Although the name of SPSS reflects its original use in [G.] AUTOCAD
the field of social sciences, its use has since expanded AutoCAD is a computer-aided drafting software
into other data markets. SPSS is commonly used in program used to create blueprints for buildings,
healthcare, marketing and education research. bridges, and computer chips, among other things.
Discover how AutoCAD is used by drafters and other
The types of data analysed using SPSS is widely professionals.
varied. Common sources include survey results, AutoCAD is a 2-D and 3-D computer-aided drafting
organization customer databases, Google Analytics, software application used in architecture,
scientific research results and server log files. SPSS construction, and manufacturing to assist in the
supports both analysis and modification of many kinds preparation of blueprints and other engineering plans.
of data and almost all formats of structured data. The Professionals who use AutoCAD are often referred to
software supports spreadsheets, plain text files as drafters. While drafters work in a number of
and relational databases such as SQL, SATA and specialties, the five most common specialization areas
SAS. SPSS provides data analysis for descriptive and are as follows: mechanical, architectural, civil,
bivariate statistics, numeral outcome predictions and electrical, and electronics.
predictions for identifying groups. The software also
provides data transformation, graphing and direct  Mechanical drafters prepare plans for

marketing features. The software interface displays machinery and mechanical devices.

open data similarly to a spreadsheet in its main view.  Architectural drafters draw up plans for

With its secondary variable view, the metadata that residential and commercial buildings.

describes the variables and data entries present in the  Civil drafters draw up plans for use in the

data file are displayed. The software package was design and building of roadways, bridges,

created in 1968 by SPSS Inc. and was acquired sewer systems, and other major projects.

by IBM in 2009. While the software was renamed to  Electrical drafters work with electricians to

IBM SPSS Statistics, it is still commonly referred to prepare diagrams of wiring electrical system

as just SPSS. layouts.

 Electronics drafters also prepare wiring
diagrams for use in the making, installing, and
repairing of electronic gadgets.

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Fig 5. Data View and Variable View of SPSS
Fig 6. Design View of Autocad Software

[H.] COMPUTER SIMULATION
A computer simulation or a computer model is a
computer program that attempts to simulate an
abstract model of a particular system.
Computer simulations have become a useful part of
mathematical modelling of many natural systems in
physics, chemistry and biology, human systems in
economics, psychology, and social science and in the
process of engineering new technology, to gain insight
into the operation of those systems.
A typical example is the simulation CS/ Surgical
Operation to enable students gain insight of the
procedure and the process.
[I.] VIRTUAL REALITY ENVIRONMENTS:
Much like video games, provide sensory stimulation
in a closed sensory environment. The architecture of
a VR environment consists of a high-tech computer,
a human-computer interface in combination with one
or more users which interact with and perceive the
artificially created world.
order thinking skills and thereby fit into the paradigm
of the acquisition of cognitive knowledge. Computers
are basic necessity for the twenty first century
classroom favourable learning outcome . More homes
have more personal computers as part technology
connectedness in information access and
management. The internet can be accessed via cell
phone, PC, and laptop. S-Video Connection enabled
televisions can double as monitors. Multiple
operating systems, including windows 10 and
windows 8 are now available, Making distance
learning available to all, virtual classrooms allow
anyone with a personal computer and access to the
internet to enrol in a course. Students in traditional
classrooms, as well, enrol and register in classes via
the internet. Even a great number of universities
required computer as part of resource facility in
providing quality education to the student. The
present day technological progress has brought
changes into in every way that really matters all
human take a stab at including the teaching and
learning methods.

Their implementation in the classrooms has improved

performances considerably both for students and
teachers alike. Most educational software’s
incorporates multi media contents and give users some
high level of interactivity. These attributes
differentiates them from traditional teaching practices.
Multimedia contents like pictures , graphics and
sound help engage the students in their lesson.
Fig 7. Using a Special Device to view the internal Computer Aided Learning design describes an
component of the human organ
education environment where a computer program or
CONCLUSION
an application is used to assist the user in learning
The Use of computers together with the internet make
subjects. Information technology may be able to aid
the distribution of information quick and timely.
us in reducing the time spent on certain teaching
Computer use in schools just make sense for the
opportunities it offers to learning . It improve higher
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material such a flexible manner to redirect learning SUMMARY : APPENDIX A [TABLE 1]
outcomes.
Some General Purpose Computer Application Software

Software Software Functionalities Access Type Advantages Disadvantages

categorization
Dictionary and Encarta , Perform more Standalone / Real time access Digital and
Reference Encyclopaedia functions than Networked and quick Knowledge
Britannica pocket Collaborative reference divide related
dictionary with environment problems
detailed
references
Mathematics & Microsoft Perform Standalone / Fast and Digital and
Statistics Excel , numerous Networked accuracy with Knowledge
SPSS calculations Collaborative precise output divide related
ordinary and environment problems when
scientific with student from
ability to different
generate detailed background are
result. engaged
Literacy & Microsoft Literacy support Standalone / perform spell Digital and
Word Word functionality Networked check and Knowledge
Processing with ability to Collaborative grammatical divide related
perform spell environment accuracy problems.
check and formatting
grammatical
accuracy
formatting
Learning Microsoft The educational Online Multimedia Digital and
Environment Power Point software educational content like Knowledge
incorporate software or pictures, divide related
multimedia stand alone graphics and problems
content and gives sound help to
user a high level engage the
of interactivity. students in
their lesson.

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 perform spell
check and
grammatical
accuracy
formatting
Computer C++, C# ,PHP, Ability to Standalone / Ability to Digital and
Science Python transform in to Networked transform in to Knowledge
programming powerful tool for Collaborative powerful tool divide related
object oriented environment for object problems.
program design oriented
with structural program design
adaptation to with structural
interact with adaptation to
database schema interact with
database
schema
Structural AutoCAD , Computer Aided Standalone / Students can Digital and
Design Archicad , Learning Networked easily learn new Knowledge
Revit environment Collaborative skills , Training divide related
where computer environment time can be problems.
application can reduced ,
assist users in Creating better
learning understanding
different of complex
structural and concept , It is
engineering effective
design.
Search Engine Google , Interact and Standalone / Students can Digital and
Apps AltaVista , share with social Networked easily learn new Knowledge
Yahoo, Bing , networking site, Collaborative skills , Training divide related
Wikipedia , Video environment time can be problems.
Reference , conferencing , reduced , Availability,
Ask , Mama distance learning Creating better economic and
,Researching , understanding utilization issues
Entertainment of complex
etc concept , It is

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 effective,
Training can be
given on time
and on demand
which leads to
increase
efficiency .

REFERENCES
Amani M. Albarkati, Saudi Arabia (2016).The Application of Computer in Education System and its Significance
to Teaching and Learning, International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887) Volume 134 –
No.9, January 2016.

Ajibade A (2006). Effects of Interactive Instructional Compact Disc Package on the Performance of English
Language Learners in Schools of Science in Osun State. Unpublished Ph. D. Dissertation, Faculty of
Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Mahin, L. (2004). PowerPoint pedagogy. Business Communication Quarterly, 67, 219-222.

Adekemi A,A ,(2001), Introduction to Computer Education. An Unpublished Monograph, Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife.

Fajola O.O, (2001), Computerisation of Examination Results: A Case for Consideration in Colleges of
Education. The Coll. Rev. 8: 151-158.

Grabe, M. E. (2000). Packaging television new: The effects of tabloid on information processing and evaluation
response. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 44, 581-598.

Reith H., (1993), A Retrospective of Computer-based Instruction. J. Spec. Educ. Technol. 12: 1-27.

Ruth Marshal (2006); Collaboration and Multimedia Classrooms, University of Central Florida. Retrieved from
http://www.oir.ucf.edu/MultimediaClassro oms.asp

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