Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Take-Home Assignment as Correlate to Academic

Performance of Computer Studies Students in Junior
Secondary Schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
AJAYI OPEYEMI
&
OKOH MAUREEN O.
Department of Vocational and Technical Education
Faculty of Education
Ekiti State University

Abstract:- This study examined Take-home Assignment direct and positive relationship between Take-home
as Correlate to Academic Performance of Computer assignment and academic performance of Junior
Studies Students in Junior Secondary Schools in Ado- Secondary School Students in Computer Studies in Ado
Ekiti, Ekiti State. Descriptive research design of the Local Government and Take-home Assignment are useful
survey type was employed and used. The population of the practice strategies for the improvement of students’
study was one hundred students of Junior Secondary performance when important factors are adequately
School two (JSS2) out of all Junior Secondary School in considered. It was recommended that Take-home
Ekiti State, using multistage sampling techniques. A self- assignments should not be something that was completed
design questionnaire title Computer Studies Achievement once and never discussed again. It should be continuous
Test (CSAT) was used to elicit information from the activities in other to keep the students busy doing
respondents. The first instrument consisted 20 item profitable things after the school hours; Parents have a
questions to know the important of take-home assignment significant responsibility to play in supporting student
on students’ academic performance. The second learning. Studies reveal that students perform better in
instrument consisted 25 items on Computer Studies school if their parents are involved in their education. By
Achievement Test (CSAT) was administered. Both face becoming familiar with the curriculum, parents can
and content validity were satisfied by experts after the determine what is being taught in the courses their
construction of the instruments. A test retest method was daughters and sons are taking and what they are expected
used through the administration of the instrument to 15 to learn. This awareness will enhance parents’ ability to
respondents outside the sample within 2 weeks to discuss their children’s work with them, to communicate
obtained reliability coefficient 0.79. The study found the with teachers, and to ask relevant questions about their
Take-home Assignment as Correlate to Academic children’s progress and Teachers should use variety of
Performance of Computer Studies Students in Junior instructional, assessment, and evaluation strategies, that
Secondary Schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Specifically, would provide several opportunities for students to
the study sought to: - investigate whether given Take- develop skills and knowledge, as well as knowledge of
home assignment to students in Computer Studies is computer studies concepts, processes, and structures, that
better than restricting them only to classroom work; will permit them to contribute more effectively in their
make useful suggestions that will be based on the findings communities as active and responsible citizens.
in the act of giving Take-home assignment to the students
in Computer Studies and determine whether there will be Keywords:- Take-home Assignment, Computer Studies,
any discrepancy in the academic performance of Correlation, Performance, Teacher, Student.
Computer Studies Student due to the Take-home
assignment. The findings of this study will be of immense I. INTRODUCTION
benefit to students, teachers, parents, policy makers,
society and prospective researchers. The results showed Computer studies is about how computers compute. It is
that there was no significant relationship between Take- not about learning how to use the computer, and it is much
home Assignment and Students’ Academic Performance more than computer programming. Computer studies is the
in Computer Studies. The study also revealed that there study of ways of representing objects and processes. It entails
was no significant difference between Take-home defining problems; examining problems; designing solutions;
Assignment and Classroom activity of Students’ in and developing, testing, and maintaining programs.
Computer Studies. The study equally revealed that there Computer studies refers to the study of computer science,
was no significant relationship between Take-home meaning and algorithmic processes, as well as principles,
Assignment and Classroom activity of students’ in hardware and software designs, applications, and impact on
Computer Studies. The study further showed that there society.
was no significant difference between Take-home
Assignment and Students’ Academic Performance in
Computer Studies. It was conclusion that there was a

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Computer studies is pertinent to all students because it connection between this effort and their attainment, and will
integrates a wide range of manageable problem-solving skills, definitely be spurred to work. However, some students will
together with logical thinking, synthesis, creative design, and realize it to be complex to take charge of their learning due to
evaluation. Also, it teaches basically helpful skills in such difficulties tackled. The encouragement, patience and
areas which include time management, communication, attention of teachers can be extremely essential to the
teamwork, and organization. Students live in a achievement of these students. However, taking
technologically rich world, and computer studies will give responsibility for their personal development and learning is
them the skills and knowledge to comprehend the an essential piece of education for all students, in spite of their
underpinnings of current computer technology and prepare situations.
them for emerging technologies. A background to this
discipline will introduce students to the opportunities and Mastering the skills and concepts associated with
excitement offered by this dynamic field and will prepare computer studies entails study, work, and development of
them for a rewarding careers. helpful skills. Furthermore, students who dynamically
undertake opportunities outside the classroom will deepen
The computer studies program will create a solid and broaden their perception of computer issues and related
background for those who aspire to study further and to topics. Their skills and knowledge will develop as they
acquire knowledge in the area of specialization such as involve in leisure activities that entails the use of computer
database analysis, computer programming, computer (e.g. computer clubs), reading associated to computers (e.g.
engineering, computer science, education, information Internet sources, magazines), and acquisition of knowledge
technology, software engineering, and game development. as regards advances in computer studies (e.g. attending
computer fairs).
The basic aspect of computer studies program is to
provide students the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that will Parents have a vital responsibility to discharge in
enable them to achieve success in secondary school, encouraging student education. Studies reveal that learners’
workplace, training or postsecondary education, and daily life. performance improve in school better if their parents assist in
their studies. Through acquaintance with the curriculum,
The objectives of the computer studies curriculum are to parents can asses’ areas taught in the courses their sons and
enable students to: daughters covered and the expected topics to be disseminated.
 acquire knowledge of computer studies concepts; This knowledge will improve parents’ competency to ask
 develop the skills, as well as critical thinking skills, relevant questions concerning their children’s improvement,
conduct inquiries and the knowledge of techniques communicate with teachers, and discuss their children’s work
required for carrying out research, and communicate with them. Awareness of the outlooks in different courses will
findings effectively, ethically, and accurately, ethically; also assist parents to understand teachers’ comments on
 apply the skills, attitudes and knowledge attained through student improvement and to cooperate with teachers to better
the study of computer to different learning tasks and relate their children’s assimilation.
them to computer segmented areas at the global, national
and local levels; The contributory ways by which parent can promote
 develop permanent learning practice that will assist them learning of their children are engaging in school management
to be accustomed with computer advances in the world activities that is, to be one of the officials in school base
and workplace; management committee), partaking in parent seminars,
 create connections that will assist them take advantage of attending parent-teacher interviews, and encouraging
potential work opportunities and postsecondary students to complete their assignments at home. Moreover, in
educational. corroborating school activities, parents need to give their
wards privileges to ask question on socio, political and
Effective learning in all aspects of computer studies economic affairs, as well as improvements in area that emerge
depends on the development of skills and knowledge in the in technologies.
following four areas:
 Software development (including software engineering Teachers and students have additional tasks. Teachers
and project management principles) build up suitable instructional strategies that will enable the
 Algorithms and data structures learners to accomplish targeted curriculum expectations, so
also to achieve suitable techniques for assessing learners'
 Program efficiency and accuracy
understanding. Teachers also encourage students in
 Professional and ethical task
improving the reading, writing, oral communication, and
desirable skills necessary for achieving success in all their
The computer studies curriculum provides choice of course work. Teachers introduce different learning methods
courses, that are planned to offer students a solid background and assessment techniques to the classroom, addressing
in these four areas. student requirements and ensuring sound learning prospects
for individual learner.
Students have numerous tasks according to their studies.
Students who determined to succeed in school and who can
relate themselves will later realize that there is a direct

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Applying various instructional and assessment students including their colleagues.
techniques, teachers give a lot of chances for learners to build
up knowledge and skills, as well as awareness of computer A. Take-home assignments have a few distinct advantages:
studies concepts, structures, and processes, that will engage  Take-home assignment provides an accurate indication of
them to have effective performance in their communities as technical ability: — There is no better way to assess
active and responsible citizens. someone’s ability to do the work than to assess their work
(profound, I know). But seriously, there’s plenty of
The principal works in collaboration with parents and research to suggest that well-designed work assignments
teachers so as to compulsorily ascertain that every learner correlate with job performance later on.
gain opportunity to adequate and quality educational  Take-home assignment test what matters: — The well-
attainment. In order to assist and promote quantitative student designed take-home assignment resembles real work,
learning, principals ensure that curriculum is strictly and rather than an arbitrary test of algorithmic knowledge. If
adequately carried out in each classroom setting by applying you’re using a tool like Code Submit, then the take-home
various teaching and learning methods. Also, they allows candidates to demonstrate their skill using the
compulsorily make sure that adequate and suitable same tools they will be working with on the job rather
instructional aids are provided to encourage teachers and than “simulated” work environments.
students to yield fruitful outcome. To improve teaching and  Take-home assignment facilitates diversity and inclusion:
learning in every subject, as well as computer studies, — Because they take place in the comfort of a candidate’s
principals encourage group learning and cooperate with home (or wherever they prefer to work) and not in your
teachers to encourage their contributory efforts in office, take-home assignments reduce the likelihood of
professional efficiency development and activities. Also, the intrinsic biases playing a role in preemptively screening
participatory efforts of the principals is to ensure that each out candidates before you know what they’re capable of.
student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is receiving The playing field is also leveled for more introverted
the accommodations and/or modifications emphasized in candidates, who may not perform their best in a live or
his/her plan. Moreso, in ensuring that the IEP is accurately face-to-face assessment.
monitored, implemented, developed.  Take-home assignment promotes adequate management
of time in learners. They begin to allocate their time to
The term homework can be traced back from 1350 to play and study thus learning in order to fulfill their fixed
1400. It originates from the phrases "Medieval Latin task on time
assignamentum" and "Middle English assignment." Take-
Home Assignment is one of the most developer-friendly Poorly implemented take-homes have garnered
forms of skill set evaluation is the take-home assignment. A criticism from disgruntled candidates in the recent past. Here
take-home assignment is a work sample where candidates are is why:
asked to complete a task that is intended to showcase their  They’re Perceived as Free Labor: — A well-designed
practical skills and thought process. These tasks are take-home assignment is real work, but not the kind that
accompanied by a due-date but are completed on the you then integrate into your product.
candidate’s own time. Homework is a task that is giving to a  They’re Way Too Long: — When a candidate receives a
student by his/her teacher to be done outside the classroom, take-home that requires an entire weekend of work, the
especially at home. free-labor issue is made even worse. Can you blame
candidates for being suspicious? A well-designed take-
Take-home targeted various purposes particularly when home is concise enough to be completed in one sitting.
it is regularly done. Some of these purposes include: This levels the playing field for candidates who don’t
 Take-home assignment assists the learners to develop have as much free time. The best developers rarely have a
their efficiency lot of time on their hands and don’t stay unemployed for
 When done regularly, homework can be an avenue to long. In the worst case, your 8-hour assignment might be
preparatory efforts towards examination reason enough for a great candidate to pass on your job
 When learners undertake homework with serious opportunity entirely.
concentration it requires, he/she will be able to  They Rarely Provide Feedback — When a developer does
comprehend the specific topic. not make it past the take-home assignment, it’s usually
 Take-home assignment encourages collaborations among because they did not demonstrate the skill set that the
learners in the course of collaborated discussions. These hiring manager was looking for. Of course, there could be
group discussions assist students to cooperate with a multitude of reasons why the assessor did not believe
themselves therefore there is a deep exchange of crucial the candidate was right for the job, but providing feedback
experience. in these types of situations is often a lose-lose for the
 Take-home can be used as a means to promote or company. Still, it does not feel good to be told your
encourage boldness of students due to exposure to many performance was lackluster without any specific feedback,
topical issues. This directly promote learner’s and a quick dismissal hurts much more when you spent 8
assimilation of the topics. hours on a Saturday working on it. By making the take-
 Conventionally, homework is used as means to create homes more concise and requiring a shorter time-
mutual relationship between teachers, parents, and investment, the cold-shoulder stings a little less.

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Take-home assignments should not be something that computer studies concepts during computer studies
was completed once and never discussed again. Take-home is classroom activities.
the main intersection between home and school activities. It
is a widespread belief among school leaders, teachers and C. Purpose of the Study
parents that take-home is a valuable educational tool. The study found the Take-home Assignment as
Assigning take-home assignment can be seen as an Correlate to Academic Performance of Computer Studies
instrument to raise students’ effort. Cooper, Patall and Students in Junior Secondary Schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti
Robinson (2006) summarizes the education literature on take- State. Specifically, the study sought to:
home in primary and secondary education, and conclude that
take-home is positively related to academic performance,  investigate whether given Take-home assignment to
with larger effects at the secondary school level than at the students in Computer Studies is better than restricting
primary school level and none of the studies reviewed had a them only to classroom work;
well-designed approach for assigning take-home assignment.  make useful suggestions that will be based on the findings
in the act of giving Take-home assignment to the students
Assigning take-take assignment is a teacher’s policy and in Computer Studies;
at his discretion. Teacher is duly empowering to give take-  determine whether there will be any difference in the
home assignment to the students and ensure its marking and academic performance of Computer Studies Student due
correction, if needed be. Peradventure take-home assignment to the Take-home assignment.
is a substitute for in-school learning, it is particularly likely
that the home environment will influences the return of take- D. Significance of the Study
home assignment. To the extent that the home environment is The findings of this study will be of immense benefit to
essential whether the take-home assignment is done, students, teachers, parents, policy makers, society and
completed if it was done, perceived or not, students from prospective researchers.
educated parents seems to benefits more from take-home
assignment than the students from less educated parents. The study will be of help to the students in order to make
useful of their time after school hours with productive
The Nigeria society is of the opinion that the academic academic activities and it will help the students to cultivate
performance of students in computer studies has been the idea thorough thinking. The study will be of help to the
declining, and the declining in the academic performance of teachers to adopt and use appropriate methodology in
students this course could be attributed to various factors such teaching and learning process. Also, the teachers will be able
as sociological, cultural, economic and psychological. to use appropriate instructional materials that will stimulate
Although, the influence of these factors and others that and attract students to develop effective study techniques.
contribute to poor performance of students could not be The study will help the parents to understand that their wards
overruled and the important factor which has not been given engage with the meaningful academic activities after school
enough consideration is the methodological factor. When hours that will improve their academic performance. It will
methodology factor is involving, it means that the teacher and also, relief the parents of the stress after school hours. The
student who are the keys factor are considered during the study will help the school administrators because they will
teaching and learning process. see the reason to consider and improve students’ physical
academic environment for conducive, understanding and
The use of students’ private time should be employed. educational enlightenment. The study will be of significant to
To most teachers, the hour of work ends immediately the the prospective researchers because it will expose them to see
closing bell is rung. There is a form of income generating that classroom teaching only is not enough to improve
venture waiting to be taken care of after the school closing academic performance.
hour. The students on the other hand are not as committed as
of the olden days, whereas some of the students might be E. Research Hypotheses
willing to do some extra school work at home and their  There is no significant relationship between Take-home
parents appears to have prepared what they will sell when Assignment and Students’ Academic Performance in
they come back from school. Such students do not have the Computer Studies.
opportunity of private time to study on their own till next day  There is no significant relationship between Take-home
with teacher for another fresh work load. Assignment and Classroom activities of students’ in
Computer Studies.
B. Statement of the Problem  There is no significant difference between Take-home
The researcher observer that classroom teaching and Assignment and Students’ Academic Performance in
learning activities alone seems not enough for students to Computer Studies
perform optimally in computer studies. Also, it appears that  There is no significant difference between Take-home
the time allotted for each of the subjects especially computer
Assignment and Classroom activities of Students’ in
studies is not adequate to teach effectively. The researcher Computer Studies.
also, observed that the methodology explored by the teacher
seems not adequate for the students to assimilate during
computer studies classroom activities. The researcher
observed that students seems not to gain an understanding of

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
II. METHODOLOGY Variable N Mean SD df t-cal Sig.
Value
Descriptive research design of the survey type was Take-home 20 14.55 1.32 38 0.080 0.737
employed and used. The population of the study was one Assignment
hundred students of Junior Secondary School two (JSS2) out Class 20 14.80 1.40
of all Junior Secondary School in Ekiti State, using multistage Activity
sampling techniques. A self-design questionnaire title Table 2: Pearson Correlation of Take-home Assignment and
Computer Studies Achievement Test (CSAT) was used to Class Activity of Students’ in Computer Studies.
elicit information from the respondents. The first instrument Critical value at 0.05 level of significance
consisted 20 item questions to know the important of take-
home assignment on students’ academic performance. The From table 2 above showed that the significant value of
second instrument consisted 25 items on Computer Studies 0.737 is greater than the Alpha level of 0.05; the null
Achievement Test (CSAT) was administered. Both face and hypothesis is therefore Accepted. Hence, there is no
content validity were satisfied by experts after the significant difference between Take-home Assignment and
construction of the instruments. A test retest method was used Classroom activity of Students’ in Computer Studies.
through the administration of the instrument to 15
respondents outside the sample within 2 weeks to obtained Hypothesis 3: There is no significant relationship between
reliability coefficient 0.79. Take-home Assignment and Classroom activity of students’
in Computer Studies.
A. Administration of Instrument
The researcher obtained cooperation and permission Variable N Mean SD df t-cal Sig.
from the school’s principal and other staff. The researcher Value
went to the classroom to administered the questionnaire on Take-home 20 14.55 1.32 38 0.582 0.564
the students. They were required to complete the Assignment
questionnaire given to them and return immediately after Class 20 14.80 1.40
completion. Activity
Table 3: t-test Analysis of Take-home Assignment and
III. RESULT Classroom Activity of Students’ in Computer Studies.
Critical value at 0.05 level of significance
The data obtained through the research instrument were
analyzed and all the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of From table 3 above showed that the significant value of
significance. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation 0.564 is greater than the Alpha level of 0.05; the null
Analysis and t-test were used for the study. hypothesis is therefore Accepted. Hence, there is no
significant relationship between Take-home Assignment and
Testing Hypotheses Classroom activity of students’ in Computer Studies.
Hypothesis 1: There is no significant relationship between
Take-home Assignment and Students’ Academic Hypothesis 4: There is no significant difference between
Performance in Computer Studies. Take-home Assignment and Students’ Academic
Performance in Computer Studies.
Variable N Mean SD df t-cal Sig.
Value Variable N Mean SD df t-cal Sig.
Take-home 20 14.55 1.32 38 0.416 0.068 Value
Assignment Take-home 20 14.55 1.32 38 1.304 0.200
Academic 20 14.05 1.10 Assignment
Performance Academic 20 14.05 1.10
Table 1: Pearson Correlation of Take-home Assignment and Performance
Students’ Academic Performance in Computer Studies. Table 4: t-test Analysis of Take-home Assignment and
Critical value at 0.05 level of significance Students’ Academic Performance in Computer Studies.
Critical value at 0.05 level of significance
From table 1 above showed that the significant value of
0.068 is greater than the Alpha level of 0.05; the null From table 4 above showed that the significant value of
hypothesis is therefore accepted. Hence, there is no 0.200 is greater than the Alpha level of 0.05; the null
significant relationship between Take-home Assignment and hypothesis is therefore Accepted. Hence, there is no
Students’ Academic Performance in Computer Studies. significant difference between Take-home Assignment and
Students’ Academic Performance in Computer Studies.
Hypothesis 2: There is no significant difference between
Take-home Assignment and Classroom activity of Students’
in Computer Studies.

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Volume 6, Issue 11, November – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
IV. DISCUSSION completed once and never discussed again. It should be
continuous activities in other to keep the students busy
The study investigated the Take-home Assignment as doing profitable things after the school hours
correlate to Academic Performance of Computer Studies  Parents have crucial responsibility to discharge to assist
Students in Junior Secondary Schools in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti their children in learning situation. Studies reveal that
State. The results showed that there was no significant students perform better in school if their parents are
relationship between Take-home Assignment and Students’ involved in their education. By becoming familiar with
Academic Performance in Computer Studies. The study also the curriculum, parents can determine what is being
revealed that there was no significant difference between taught in the courses their daughters and sons are taking
Take-home Assignment and Classroom activity of Students’ and what they are expected to learn. This awareness will
in Computer Studies. The study equally revealed that there enhance parents’ ability to discuss their children’s work
was no significant relationship between Take-home with them, to communicate with teachers, and to ask
Assignment and Classroom activity of students’ in Computer relevant questions about their children’s progress.
Studies. The study further showed that there was no  Teachers should implement different instructional,
significant difference between Take-home Assignment and assessment, and evaluation strategies, that would provide
Students’ Academic Performance in Computer Studies. numerous opportunities for students to develop a range of
skills and knowledge, including knowledge of computer
V. IMPLICATION OF FINDINGS studies concepts, structures, and processes, that will allow
them to participate more effectively in their communities
Take-home Assignment server as parameter through as responsible and active citizens.
which Academic performance of students are measure. The
result showed that Take-home assignment has no significant REFERENCES
correlation on the Academic performance of students’ in
Computer Studies. The findings revealed that students [1]. Cooper, H., Patall, E.A & Robinson, J.C (2006). Parent
background with the parent’s educational status do enhance Involvement in Homework: A Synthesis of research,
students’ academic performance as such parent do influences Manuscript in preparation.
seriousness of their children in academic activities. It was [2]. The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 10 to 12 Computer
also observed that Take-home assignment affect academic Studies, 2008 (revised)
performance of students in such a way that it motivates the [3]. Tracy, P. (2019). The Pursuit of the Well-Designed Take-
reading culture of the students and thereby increase their Home Coding Assignment.
academic performance. The findings showed that extra
curriculum activities engaged by the students do affect their
academic performance in Computer Studies as anything
outside the curriculum may retard the process of education.
The findings of the study further showed that teachers and
students do not take Take-home assignment serious, this may
be as a result of wrong perception of students especially when
special consideration is given to domestic duties given to
them after school hours either by their parents, guidance and
relatives.

VI. CONCLUSION

Based on the findings of this study, the following

conclusion were drawn:
 There was a direct and positive relationship between
Take-home assignment and academic performance of
Junior Secondary School Students in Computer Studies in
Ado Local Government.
 Take-home Assignment are useful practice strategies for
the improvement of students performance when important
factor are adequately considered.

RECOMMENDATION

Based on the findings of this study, the following

recommendations were made for the assigning of Take-home
assignment to the students of Computer Studies in Junior
Secondary School in Ado Local Government in other to
improve their academic performance.
 Take-home assignments should not be something that was

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