Effect of Computer-Assisted Instructional Package on Teaching Lathe Machining Operations at Technical Colleges in Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of instructional software package on teaching and learning of machining processes at technical colleges. Two specific purposes and two research questions were formulated to guide the study. Similarly, two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The research design adopted was randomised control group post-test only design involving one treatment group and one control group. The population of the study was 95 mechanical trade students from the two Technical colleges offering mechanical trade. A simple random sampling technique was adopted to place the students into control and experimental groups. The sample consisted of 45 NTC II mechanical trade (MT) Students 2017/2018 session from Government and Science Technical College, Potiskum. The instrument used for data collection for the study was a practical test termed Metal Machining Practical Skills Achievement Test (MMPSAT). The MMPSAT was developed by the researcher and validated by experts in Technology Education. The instrument was trial tested using 11 year II MT students from Government Science and Technical College,  Kumo in Gombe state for determining its reliability. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was found to be 0.76  Arithmetic percentage and mean statisctics were used to answer research questions while t-test was used for testing the hypotheses of the study at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that students taught using Instructional software Package performed better than those taught with conventional strategy. Findings also indicated that there was significant difference between the mean performance of students taught using Instructional software Package and those taught using the conventional teaching method in the two lathe machining operations. Based on the findings of the study, there is need for mechanical engineering craft practice teachers to adopt the use of Instructional software Package in teaching since it enhances the practical skills acquisition of students in metal machining.