AKPAN, EKPA DANIEL
Ibiaku Clan Community Secondary School
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of computer-based instruction on students’ academic performance and learning using lesson packages in Physics. This is in response to the clarion call for the use of computer-based instruction (CBI) as alternate teaching method. Eighty (80) respondents for the study were selected from a population of 670 senior secondary school two (SSS2) students who offered Physics using stratified random sampling technique. The study adopted 3×2 factorial experimental design. Instructional method had 3 factors viz: Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI), On-line Instruction (OLI) and Traditional Expository Teaching (TET). Thirty-two (32) and 18 students who studied lesson packages in Physics by CAI and OLI methods respectively formed the OLI and CAI experimental sub groups. Thirty (30) subjects of the study who received same lesson by means of traditional expository teaching (TET) constituted the control group. Gender factor in Physics lessons was also investigated. Data collected were analysed manually using means, mean gain scores and charts. Findings showed that there was no single method that qualified as the most effective in enhancing students’ academic performance and learning using lesson packages in Physics. However, when gender was considered, TET was discovered as being the most effective in enhancing female students’ academic performance and learning using lesson packages in Physics. Hence it is recommended that if computer, Internet facility and instructional CDs are not available, the teacher should systematically develop and utilise instructional materials.