Volume 15

MICROSOFT WORD AS A TOOL FOR IMPROVING WRITING SKILLS OF PUPILS IN IKWERRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF RIVERS STATE

ANYA, Ulunma Ukamaka Ph.D & IRIMOREN, Tina Ph.D

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of Microsoft Word as an instructional tool for improving the writing skills of primary school pupils in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The study was motivated by persistent challenges in pupils' writing performance, particularly in grammar, spelling, organisation, coherence, and vocabulary development, which are inadequately addressed by conventional teaching methods. A quasi-experimental research design employing a pre-test–post-test non-equivalent control group was adopted. The population comprised Primary Five pupils in public primary schools within the Ikwerre Local Government Area, from which a sample of 589 pupils was selected using multistage sampling techniques. The experimental group received writing instruction using Microsoft Word, while the control group was taught using traditional chalk-and-board methods. Data were collected using a researcher-developed Writing Skills Achievement Test (WSAT) and an Instructional Package on Microsoft Word (IPMW). The reliability coefficient of the WSAT was established at 0.78 using the test–retest method. Data were analysed using an independent samples t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed a significant difference in the overall writing skills of pupils taught with Microsoft Word compared to those taught using conventional methods. Specifically, Microsoft Word significantly improved pupils' spelling accuracy, grammatical accuracy, and the organisation and coherence of written compositions. The study concludes that Microsoft Word is an effective digital tool for enhancing pupils' writing skills and recommends its integration into the primary school English language curriculum, alongside adequate teacher training and provision of ICT facilities.

Keywords

Microsoft Word, Writing Skills, Spelling Accuracy, Grammatical Accuracy

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