1.1 Introduction
Science is a great enterprise which nations depend on, in-order to advance technologically. Science therefore, is receiving much emphasis in education because of its significance and relevance to life and society. Science is both a process (scientific method) and a product (knowledge, fact and principles) (Ezeh, 2013). Both the process and product of science are acquired through education and this is specialized type of education such as science education. Science plays important roles in the society because it relates to our daily life and career. Biology is one of such subject introduced. Ofuebe (2007), defined science as a dynamic human activity concerned with understanding of the working of our world. The word science stands for a variety of information, abilities and operations about the natural environment (Ali, 2002).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Biology as one of the science subject is defined as the study of life and structure of living things. Biology is the study of living things and concerns itself with the study of the structure, behaviour, distribution, the origin of plants and animals and their relationship with their environments. Abugu (2007) stated that biology is a natural science in which we study living organisms – plants and animals.
Biology is defined as the study of life and structure of living things. Biology is the study of living things and concerns itself with the study of the structural, behaviour, distribution, the origin of plants, and animals and their relationship with their environment (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 2009). Abugu (2007) stated that biology is natural science in which we study living organism plants and animals. The knowledge of biology helps in checking environmental degradation such as desertification, erosion, water hyacinth, land, air and water pollution.
Practical activities in biology provide opportunities for students to actually do science as opposed to learning about science. Nzewi (2008) asserted that practical activities can be regarded as a strategy that could be adopted to make the task of a teacher (teaching) more real to the students as opposed to abstract or theoretical presentation of fact principles and concepts of subject matters. Nzewi maintained that practical activities should engage the students in hands on, mind on activities, using varieties of instructional material/equipment to drive the lesson home.
Nwagbo (2008) stated that the use of practical activities (approach) to the teaching of biological concepts should therefore be a rule rather than an option to biology teachers, if we hope to produce students that would be able to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and competence needed to meet the scientific and technological demands of the nation.
Opul, Ezeh and Ezemagu (2008) reported that much stress has been placed upon practical work for there is no substitute for it, for practical experiment must be the basis of knowledge in biology. Hence, it become imperative at this point to find out the level of academic achievement in biology practical activities, taught to biology students in Enugu, East Government Area Eya, Eze and Ani (2003), and cry about the falling standard of the science education in Nigeria over the years, Researchers have pointed accusing fingers to several factors as being responsible and prominent among these factors is the teacher factor.
In the light of the above, it should be a general concern of every Nigerian including the researchers to view this backwardness with some seriousness. There is great need to look into the issue of teaching and learning of the core science subjects – biology etc. Biologists usually study all forms of life including ourselves, other animals, plants and microscopic living things such as bacteria which is too small to see with our naked eyes. Biology is needed in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, food technology etc. The neglect of the practical aspect of biology in schools has been blamed on such factors as the inability of the school authorities to provide materials and equipment for practical work, teachers’ failure to recognize the importance of practical work in science teaching.
Therefore, in Enugu East Local Government Area where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Influence of Biology Practical on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that not much attention has been giving to the performance of the students in senior secondary school subjects most especially in biology and biology practical aspect of biology in schools has been blamed on such factors as the inability of the school authorities to provide materials and equipment for practical work, teachers failure to recognize the importance of practical work in science teaching. Most instructional approaches such as lecture and demonstration used in teaching biology in the classroom or laboratory promote rote learning and lack of opportunity for students to manipulate materials and reflect on what they do during teaching and learning processes. Student interaction during practical activities in the laboratory could play a key role towards concretizing learning.
The inappropriate instructional approaches used by secondary school biology teachers tend to raise doubts about the possibility of realizing the objectives of biology education in Nigeria secondary school as stated in the National Policy on Education (Federal Ministry of Education, 2004).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Influence of Biology Practical on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Enugu East Local Government Area. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the influence of gender on academic achievement of students in biology;
- To determine the influence of biology practical activities on academic achievement of senior secondary students in biology;
- To determine how teacher’s incompetence in the use of laboratory equipment affects student’s achievement in biology;
- To determine how the student attitude towards biology practical affect their achievement in biology;
- To know whether there is any significant difference between the mean scores of male and female students taught biology using practical methods; and
- To investigate whether there is any significant difference between the mean scores of urban and rural schools students taught biology using practical methods.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Is there any difference in the mean scores of students taught biology using practical and theory methods?
- Is there difference between the mean scores of male and female students taught biology using the practical methods?
- Is there any difference between the mean scores of rural and urban students taught biology using practical method?
- How does teacher’s incompetence in the use of laboratory equipment affects student’s achievement in biology?
- How does student attitude towards biology practical affect their achievement in biology?
- What is the influence of gender on academic achievement of students in biology?
- What is the influence of biology practical activities on academic achievement of senior secondary students in biology?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant difference in the scores of students taught biology using practical method and those taught using theoretical method
- H1: There is significant difference in the scores of students taught biology using practical method and those taught using theoretical method
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant difference between the mean academic achievement scores of male and female students taught biology using practical activities.
- H1: There is significant difference between the mean academic achievement scores of male and female students taught biology using practical activities.
1.7 Significance of Study
The result obtained from the study will benefit the following people: Government, Teachers and Students
- Government: The study will help to motivate the Government to equip secondary schools with necessary practical equipment for the teaching of biology.
- Teachers: This will assist classroom teachers in the organization of practical that would help to develop skills and knowledge in the students. It will also enable trained teachers to adopt those teaching and learning methods that would aid them in organization of their subjects matter for the students.
- Students: When students understand more, the importance of biology practical skills, they are equipped to secure employment and this would in no small measure make them contribute meaningfully to the development of the society. Practical method of teaching can also increases the interest of the students to practical works.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Influence of Biology Practical on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Biology: It is defined as the study of life and structure of living things. Biology is the study of living things and concerns itself with the study of the structural, behaviour, distribution, the origin of plants, and animals and their relationship with their environment (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 2009).
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