Project Materials

CAUSES OF FAILURE IN SHORTHAND ON SECRETARIAL STUDIES STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, EDE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1: Background of the Study 

A skilled secretary is typically required in every organisation, whether public or private sector. A secretary is an executive assistant who is highly competent in office operations and can work alone with minimal oversight.

A good secretary is expected to carry out several responsibilities, but none of them can be efficiently fulfilled without receiving excellent and solid training at a university.

Shorthand (100 WPM for ND and 120 WPM for HND) and typewriting (50 WPM for ND and 60 WPM for HND) are two of the most common courses taken by secretarial students. coursework in economics, citizenship education, word processing, office procedures, and secretarial studies Among all these disciplines, students majoring in secretarial studies consistently struggle with shorthand. They consider it a stumbling block to their advancement.

When you know how to use a standard set of acronyms, you can write and capture information quickly utilising shorthand. Using this method, which is typically written in English, you can quickly and accurately record information like letters, reprints, transcribing, and so on. The outlines you write should be as brief as possible.

As stated by Canning (1981), “wholly symbolic and very largely phonetic form writing” is what shorthand is. There is evidence that shorthand existed during the days of socratis, so it’s reasonable to infer that it has been around in some form ever since people learnt to write.

Most historians, according to Russon (1968), believe that the practice of shorthand originated with Zenophon, who documented the life of Crates using an ancient Greek technique. The first Latin shorthand method, Tiro Tironance, was found to have been established by Cicero’s assistant Marcus Tullus (born 103 BC).

To create the first shorthand dictionary, two people collaborated. Many shorthand authors were born during that time. Julius Caesour, Augustus Caesar, and Titus were among those who used shorthand to record their military complexity. Following that, a plethora of shorthand systems emerged across.

Among these are the Pitman system (also known as the phonograph) and the Gregg system of shorthand, both of which were published in 1887 by Mr. John Robert and Sir Isaac Pitman, respectively. Even in many schools, the Gregg system is considered antiquated; instead, students are taught Pitman shorthand New Era.

The most torturous investigation of English phonetics led to the development of Pitman shorthand. Consequently, the pitman system provides an alternate means of writing the English language quickly.

The approach has stood the test of time because to the extensive testing it has undergone by numerous skilled writers and teachers representing a broad range of natural attitudes.

Beyond that, it continues to be a wellspring of inspiration for people in many walks of life. Despite his untimely demise in 1897, Isaac Pitman’s method of shorthand has become renowned across the globe.

This is due to both the system’s logical premises and the globalisation of the English language, which was facilitated by the expansive colonial empire of the British government.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Determining the impact of abbreviated failure on students became the primary motivation for this study. Therefore, the issues that need to be examined are the level of student attitude towards learning shorthand and the procedures that shorthand instructors should use when teaching the language.

1. Students struggle with shorthand because they do not have a strong grasp of the English language.

2. Due to a lack of motivation, students do not engage in independent shorthand practice.

3. Students of shorthand perceive it as a challenging and uninteresting topic.

4. Students feel that being graded on shorthand makes them look stupid, hence they are against giving it the most credit possible.

5. The classroom’s furniture, including tables, chairs, and space, is inadequate for shorthand.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

Discovering the answer is the primary goal of this investigation.

1. To provide a solution or solutions to the issue

2. The impact on students of a mass failure in shorthand.

3. To determine what causes a significant portion of these failures.

1.4 The significance Of The Study

Students majoring in secretarial studies will undoubtedly benefit from the investigation in terms of their shorthand skills. Even for those who think the subject is really difficult, the study’s results will make it more approachable and engaging. The student will learn shorthand with the help of this study

.
1.5 Scope or Delimitation Of The Study

Focussing on students at the Federal Polytechnic Ede in Osun State, this study examines the effects of widespread failure in shorthand on secretarial studies majors.

1.6 Research Questions

a. Is there an adequate and appropriate curriculum for learning shorthand?

b) Tell me the inherent issues with shorthand.

c. Is the high failure rate due in any part to the instructors or the students?

Limitations of the Study

Due to time constraints, it was not possible to visit all of the students who were learning shorthand, which constituted the study’s limited region.

A lack of prior research on the impact of shorthand failure on students majoring in office technology and management is another obstacle, as is the small pool of potential students.