ABSTRACT

The study examined the impact of wireless technology in a learning environment. The main research instrument used is through the administration of questionnaires. The feedbacks were analyzed, the result showed that Information Technology has positive effect on learning environment. In conclusion, the study has shown that Information Technology has extensively improved the communication links between students, teachers and parent alike. This has greatly enhanced teachers teaching method by practically demonstrating how stuffs work and be able to communicate together in a small global village.

In effects, the research work show the importance of wireless technology as a mean of teaching aids that allows dissemination of information within a wider coverage in no time.

In operational efficiency, this has reduced running cost, reduced transaction time, swift response in

Service delivery and student/teacher satisfaction to mention a few.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page I

Declaration II

Certification III

Acknowledgement IV

Abstract V

Table of contents VI

List of Tables IX

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem 3

1.3 Research Questions 4

1.4 Purpose of the Study 4

1.5 Significance of the Study 5

1.6 Scope of the Study 6

1.7 Research Method 6

1.8 Definition of Terms 6

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Wireless Technology has enhanced the use of communication equipment. It has replaced the conventional use of fixed wired technology which is somehow getting out-dated. The possibility of expansion of communication link across the nation and over the sea is now a reality. This technology affect all human endeavour and social life of every of its citizen. It used virtually in all fields ranging from medical, science, government parasatal, aviation, sport, transportation, military, hospitals, banking, and Educational Sector. The impact of this study in relation to a school or learning environment is of a great benefit to the present day scenario. As we are in computer age, many of the gadgets now used are wireless in nature ranging from the use of Bluetooth, wifi, Infra red rays and radio links. All these modern device enhances communication skills which is being used in learning environment. It is now possible for a student to send complete work and assignment to his teacher and vice –versa, Assignment are being done on the net, marked and grade. To buttress my point some international schools are doing away with the normal convection of writing with marker on the board and have now resorted into the use of smart and intelligent board which are connected to the internet, thereby enabling communication link with other international schools for online teaching and response at the same time. This study therefore proposed to examine the impact of wireless technology in a school environment. Using a case study of Christ The King International School, Gbagada, Lagos.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

Christ The King International school, Gbagada, A private secondary school that runs Day & Boarding, is situated along Oshodi-Gbagada Express way. It is located on 1 hectare of land in atunrase Estate. The school was founded in October 1990. It has undergo tremendous growth and changes. Some of the changes include the school facilities which has improved drastically from the normal conventional one to a modern facilities.
As communication is an essential ingredient in any school environment, the school deem it fit to installed a state-of art communication device. Which replaces the old fashion of writing on board, to a more advance form of using smart electronic board connected to the internet. All the students are advised to make use of internet connected- laptops using the wi-fi device. And teachers are to communicate with each other with their laptops and Pabx.
Parents/teachers /students relationship is also been enhanced through communication link on the school website. Report card, School fees and other vital sensitive issues are now been communicated through the use of phones, SMS and the school website.
This new trend of communication has both negative and positive impacts on the students and their teachers. The challenges facing the institution are hereby stated. 1. Teachers who are not computer literate find it difficult to blend with the new approach to information 2. Students who are not computer literate cannot make use of the laptops, some are too young especially the Js 1 students who may just be 8 years old. 3. Wireless technology employed doesn’t have enough bandwidth to connect all the laptops at once – A situation where over 250 students are to be online. 4. ISP intermittent fluctuation in server peak period and downtime 5. Irregularities of power supply 6. High cost of equipments maintenance 7. Slow internet connections due to heavy traffic on the wireless Lan.

In order to achieve this, the following research questions would be answered.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What is the profile of the schools included in this study?

2. What are the characteristics of the respondents included in this study?

Hypothesis 1

1. Information Technology- wireless electronic has not contributed to the profitability, growth and productivity of learning environments in public schools.

Hypothesis 2

2. Information Technology has not contributed to the profitability, growth and productivity

of learning environments in private schools..

1.4 Purpose of the Study

The proposed aim of this study is to assess the impact of wireless technology on a school environment how it affects the students learning and the teachers performance in impacting knowledge on the students through the use of modern visual and teaching aids. How information can be disseminated, secured, shared, and printout through the use of internet thereby making the school environment a global village. In other to achieve these objectives the following are consider:

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a) Identify the effect and impact of wireless technology in learning environment

b) Compare the performance indices of public and private schools in the use of wireless device

c) Identify further areas where the application of Wireless digital Technology will be of

benefit in schools

d) To offer suggestion on areas government can assist schools especially public schools to achieve

Optimal utilization of wireless digital Technology facility.

1.5 Significance of the Study
This study tends to assist teachers and students to have full understanding on how it is possible to make use of mobile and wireless technology in impacting knowledge and skills in their giving tasks 1. Teachers will be able to teach effectively with enough material online, samples and research work 2. Students will be able to make effective use of laptops, desktop and communication equipment in other to get new and latest information online on their giving subjects or assignments. 3. Teachers teaching methodology will be greatly improved and interested. 4. Students will have a hand-on practical on what they are learning through visual aids and thereby increasing assimilation and retention. 5. Time saving factors will be greatly improved as assignment can easily be done 6. Information can easily be stored, retrieved, updated and reproduced without much ado 7. Parents/teachers/students communication links will be greatly enhanced.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The research shows the impact of Wireless digital Information Technology on private and public schools mainly because of the emergency of the imminent needs for such technological innovation across the global economy, especially in this current dispensation of computer age where information needs to travel like a speed of light. It also reveals the level of I.T compliance in which most of the schools in Nigeria are operating. And what can be done to improve the quality assurance of learning in most of our schools which is lagging behind in the area of technology advancement.

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1.7 Research Methods

The research method apply in this study is the application of questionnaires to acquire

facts and figures on the effect of Wireless digital communication Information Technology over the wired technology on the productivity level of public and private schools

1.8 Definition of Terms

There is a need to define some fundamental terms in the study in order to have better understanding of the project. The explanations of terms are in accordance with the

content of the research topic. The terms are namely:

a. Information Technology: The link up of computers with communication to enhance the application of computers to storage, retrieve. Processing and dissemination of data.

b. Private schools: These are schools owned by non-governmental parasatals. Most of the time it is own by a proprietor who may have board of directors.
c. Public schools: These are government establishment were students who cannot afford private schools attend. It is much more cheaper than the private schools.

d. Wifi: is a popular technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data wirelessly (using radio waves) over a computer network, including high-speed Internet connections. The Wi-Fi Alliance defines Wi-Fi as any "wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards".[

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