USE OF OPEN SOURCE APPLICATIONS IN HIGHER LEARNING BY PROSPECTIVE COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS IN ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA UNIVERSITY, BAUCHI

Abstract

This study investigated the use of open source application in higher learning by prospective computer teachers. Colleges and universities are increasingly aware of the necessity to use technology to meet both the business and academic mission of the institution. Often, open source software (OSS) and Free Source Software (FSS) are seen as viable options for meeting these challenges. Many Institutions are recognizing the importance of the interplay or overlap between FSS and OSS as an important feature for providing high quality teaching and educational experiences. Descriptive survey research design was used, which typically employs the use of questionnaire, sampling random sampling was adopted, where 79 respondents were as the sample size of the study. The finding of the research shows that the prospective teachers of computer education in ATBU are aware of the open source application, but lack of awareness about the uses and benefits of open source software, is a large factor towards less use of open source software.Factors inhibiting the optimal utilization of open source Application by prospective computer science teachers are: Unfamiliarity, Complex licensing situation, backward compatibility issues, Component and architecture incompatibilities and Migration and usage. The Findings of this study serves as the basis for making the following recommendations: Educational institutions should not spend huge money on proprietary software and Universities should replace the proprietary software by open source software for saving the money of license renewal fee, up gradation charges etc. to encourage the use, accessibility and benefits of Open Source Software by student, The school website should be linked to Datamation which highlights a list of open source software related to a particular category such as security, cloud computing, small businesses, big data, games, etc.

References……………………………………………………………………………34

5.4       Recommendations……………………………………………………………32

5.3       Conclusion……………………………………………………………………31

5.2       Summary……………………………………………………………………..31

5.1       Introduction…………………………………………………………………..31

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.2       Data Analysis and Presentation………………………………………………...25

4.1       Introduction……………………………………………………………………25

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA

3.9              Method of Data Analysis………………………………………………………..23

3.8              Method of Data Collection………………………………………………………23

3.7              Validity of the Instrument………………………………………………………23

3.6              Instrument for Data Collection………………………………………………….23

3.5              Sampling Techniques and Sample Size…………………………………………22

3.4              Population of the Study…………………………………………………………21

3.3              Area of Study…………………………………………………………………...21

3.2              Research Design………………………………………………………………...20

3.1              Introduction……………………………………………………………………..20

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

2.5              Challenges of Open source Application…………………………………………18

2.4              Utilization of Open source Application………………………………………….16

2.3              Types of Open Source Application………………………………………………14

2.2              Awareness of Open Source Application by Students…………………………….8

2.1              Introduction………………………………………………………………………8

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

1.7  Definition of Terms………………………………………………………………..6

1.6  Scope and Limitation……………………………………………………………...6

1.5  Significance of the Study………………………………………………………….5

1.4  Research Questions………………………………………………………………. 5

1.3  Research Objectives………………………………………………………………..4

1.2  Statement of the Problem…………………………………………………………..4

1.1  Background to the Study…………………………………………………………..1

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………..................xi

List of Abbreviations………………………………………………………………………..x

List of Tables and Figures…………………………………………………………………...ix

Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………..vii

Dedication………………………………………………………………………….............vi

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………….v

Approval Page ………………………………………………………………………….....iv

Certification Page…………………………………………………………………………..iii

Declaration Page …………………………………………………………………………...ii

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………..i

Table of Contents

Appendices…………………………………………………………………………..36