The Development of Mathematics E-Learning Tool for Nigerian Senior Secondary Schools

Abstract

Electronic learning (E-learning) involves the use of information and communications technology (ICT) tools and systems in teaching and learning processes. Such tools are being rapidly deployed into the Nigerian higher educational system because of their pedagogical benefits. But there have been inadequate efforts to deploy such tools at the secondary schools in the country, where spectres of overpopulated classrooms and escalating student-to-teacher ratios have contributed to the poor performances of students in the Senior Secondary School Certificate examinations, especially in mathematics. Towards contributing to the local Nigerian efforts in the development and utilisation of e-learning tools in Nigerian secondary schools, this research undertook the development of an e-learning application (EMaths) to support the teaching and learning of some aspects of the mathematics syllabus of the West African Examinations Council. A survey of students in selected secondary schools had revealed that mathematics was the most challenging to learn. The research found out and recommended that, in view of the very limited networked and Internet-connected ICT infrastructure available to most Nigerian secondary schools at present, the application would be most useful in hybrid learning environments that combine face-to-face classroom instruction delivery with the application, using CD-ROM as the delivery medium.