THE EFFECT OF LABORATORY AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN WEST AFRICAN SCHOOL
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the availability of laboratory and science equipment on student performance in the West African School Certificate Biology examination in some selected secondary schools in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The research was based on three hypotheses, two of which were accepted and one was rejected. Those who were accepted were:
Schools with laboratories and appropriate science equipment outperform schools without laboratories and appropriate science equipment in the West African school certificate biology examination.
Schools where students use more laboratory and science equipment in their biology classes outperform schools where students use less laboratory and science equipment in their biology classes.
The hypothesis that schools with laboratory and science equipment, as well as schools with laboratory and science equipment but untrained biology teachers, were rejected. The data for this study were gathered using questionnaires and records from the West African school certificate biology examination (2003-2010).
According to the findings of the study, the availability and regular use of biology laboratory science equipment results in better performance of students in biology at the West African school certificate examination.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Every human being possesses an element of curiosity, which, when combined with interest, leads to an individual becoming involved in the act of inquiry.
However, the extent to which this act of curiosity develops in each individual branch of science. James B.C. (1980), an American scientist, defines science as an interconnected series of concepts and conceptual schemes that have developed as a result of experimentation and observation and are faithful to further observation and experimentation.
Oguntonade C.B. defines science as “rational inquiry generated by a desire to explain the phenomena of human experience,” adding that “any claim to a satisfactory or acceptable discipline in general.”
Regardless of one’s feelings about science, there is no doubt that it is here to stay as an essential component of our well-being. As a result, it is important for any country to embrace science in its educational pursuits.
As Professor Babs Fafunwa correctly observed, “a nation that has surpassed the significant truism of science in our age has her own peril.” Science, in our day and age, has clearly become a necessary tool for good living, health, homemaking, and leisure, all of which contribute to national defense.
Biology for the certificate year a millennium text sees biology as a branch of science that deals with the study of living things, but it can also be seen as a very important part of science that helps science fulfill the major role that science plays in the life and well-being of any nation.
Curriculum planets have become aware of the importance of biology as an integral part of science over the years and have attempted to give biology as well as other sciences proper attention in secondary school education; however, the teaching of biology as a subject in our secondary schools is more of a theoretical knowledge.
Indeed, no attention has been paid to developing biology as a way of thinking or as a product.
One way biology teaching and learning can be viewed as a way of thinking, an attitude, or a product is by emphasizing the importance of the laboratory and, of course, the availability and use of the necessary science equipment in the school science laboratory.
Pinchas Tamir defines the laboratory as “a place where students engage in hands-on activities such as observations and experiments.” He goes on to say that a laboratory must be used not only to verify but also to find her investigation and enquiry.
This study will attempt to provide a broad base for the need to make the teaching and learning of sciences in general, and biology in particular, to be seen as a way of thought, attitude, or product.
THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENTS
The primary goal of this study was to investigate the potential impact of laboratory and science equipment availability on student performance in the West African school certificate biology examination. As a result, a survey of this problem served as the foundation for this study.
THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE
It is also worth noting that educational planners in this country recognize the importance of science in the education of their country’s children. It is required that any science subject be taught or learned as a way of thinking, an attitude, or a product. This increased emphasis on practical work in the teaching and learning of biology and other sciences will enable teachers and students alike to achieve the goal.
This study will thus be critical for curriculum designers, principals, science teachers in general, biology teachers in particular, parents/guardians, and students.
The study will assist curriculum designers in seeing the need for structuring the science curriculum in order to meet the nation’s desire of producing students who can live effectively in our modern age. This is precisely the goal of the 6-3-3-4 educational system.
This study is important for school principals, science teachers’ parents, and guardians because it will help them see the importance of having a well-equipped and effectively used laboratory.
It is critical to have good teachers who know how to use the laboratory and science equipment.
A good teacher, it is said, makes teaching and learning appear simple. The availability of laboratory and science equipment will motivate a good teacher to make effective use of them.
The study will help students recognize the importance of developing their own creative thinking as well as their own manipulative skill or ability.
The net effect of these, however, is that the government stands to realize her long-desired goal of producing individuals capable of acquiring the necessary skills, abilities, and competence, both mental and physical, which serve as a tool for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of his or her society.
Students’ performance in the West African school certificate biology examination will also improve.
HYPOTHESIS
The following hypothesis will be tested in this study:
1. Schools with both laboratory and appropriate science equipment outperform schools without laboratory and appropriate science equipment in the west school biology examination.
2. Schools with laboratory and science equipment trained biology teachers outperform schools with laboratory and science equipment but untrained biology teachers in the WASCE.
3. That schools where students use more laboratory and science equipment in biology classes outperform schools where students use less laboratory and science equipment in biology classes.
TERMS DEFINITION
A laboratory is a location that allows for experimentation, observation, or practice in a specific field of study.
Science equipment: In this context, it refers to all of the materials and supplies required for secondary school biology teaching and learning.
Experimentation is the process of carrying out an operation under controlled conditions in order to discover an unknown effect of law, test or establish a hypothesis, or illustrate a known law.
The curriculum refers to the range of institutional activities planned and provided for students by the local school or school system.
Inquiry: the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
Observation: A methodical, careful examination of events based on measurement.
Trained teacher: In the context of this study, he is a teacher who has completed an academic program in a science (biology) and educational principles and practice at a higher education institution such as a College of Education or a University.
Untrained teachers: A teacher who has completed an academic program in any of the sciences but has not completed a course in educational principles and practice from a higher education institution such as a college or university.
W.A.S.C.E. West African school certificate examination: an examination taken by all eligible final year students of a secondary school, i.e. S.S.3 in Nigeria and other West African countries.
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THE EFFECT OF LABORATORY AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN WEST AFRICAN SCHOOL
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