1.1 Introduction
Biology is the study of plants and animals which partly provides scientific literacy required for national growth, stability and development, the effects of the microbes and how to control them. Biology is a broad field covering the minute working of chemical inside the cells to a broad scale concept of ecosystem and global climate change. It is one of the requirements for studying science related courses in the tertiary institutions. According to Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) in the National Policy on Education NPE (2014), learning of Biology will provide the students with suitable laboratory and field skills in Biology, meaningful and relevant knowledge in Biology, scientific knowledge that is applicable in health, agriculture, personal and community daily life matters and development of functional scientific attitudes.
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
Science is the firm base upon which modern advances in technology depends. Many breakthroughs that man has recorded in the quest to improve his life were achieved through the knowledge of science. Science has been of great importance worldwide for suitable and socio-economic development as well as for technological advancement of the nations. The importance of science as a requirement for technological development cannot be over emphasized. Science is a way of solving problems (Oboh, 2012).
Apart from raising man’s standard of living, science has enabled developed nations to improve on their desire to match the fact of advancement made in industrialized countries in all facets of development. These include health, agriculture, Shelter, communication, transportation, environment and many more. Modern development is no longer possible outside, the frame work of science and technology, hence the need to teach science in schools. Science generally consists mainly of the three basic science subjects via, biology, chemistry, and physics.
Today, Biology pervades literally every field of human endeavor, and plays a fundamental role in educational advancement. This is seen in all the technological advancement in the world today, which is because of scientific investigations. The study of Biology provides students with basic life skills and a process that helps to prepare them become productive members of the society Azuka (2015) for this reason there is need for teachers to teach it effectively.
Biology is one of the science subjects that senior secondary school students offer at the senior levels in the Nigerian secondary schools, (FRN, 2013). According to Ahmad and Sani Yau (2018) stated in their studies that the importance of biology and biology education for sustainable national development cannot be overemphasized as its finds its way in agriculture, pharmacy, ethno-botany, medicine, biotechnology, biochemistry, and many others.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Computer Simulation and Tutorial on Students' Academic Performance in Biology.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the Problems associated to poor delivery of biology instruction Identified include;
- Low morale, and poor preparation of teachers,
- Overcrowded classroom /inadequacy of laboratory and workshop facilities,
- Poor attitude of students to work,
- Gross under funding and inadequacy of rewards for excellence in Science teaching and Learning (Obomanu& Nbina 2010).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Effect of Computer Simulation and Tutorial on Students' Academic Performance in Biology. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out to prepare students to acquire:
- Adequate laboratory and field skills in biology;
- Meaningful and relevant knowledge in biology;
- Reasonable and functional scientific attitude; and
- Ability to apply scientific knowledge to everyday life in matters of personal and community health and agriculture.
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:
- Does computer simulation of biology affect student’s academic performance?
- Is Student’s poor academic performance caused by simulation biology subject in a computer system?
- How does computer simulation and tutorial of biology affect student’s academic performance?
- What are the effects of computer simulation and tutorial on student’s academic performance 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 performance of students who were taught biology with computer simulation and tutorial and those who were not
- H1: There is a significant difference in the performance of students who were taught biology with computer simulation and tutorial and those who were not
Hypothesis Two
- H0: The method of teaching biology subject has no effect on student’s academic performance
- H1: The method of teaching biology subject has effect on student’s academic performance
1.7 Significance of Study
This study when completed, it will be beneficial to the Educational Instructor, Students, school Ministry of Education, the society, and Lab Technologist. Also, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Effect of Computer Simulation and Tutorial on Students' Academic Performance in Biology using Warri-South Local Government Area in Delta State as a case study.
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.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- 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 the study of plants and animals which partly provides scientific literacy required for national growth; stability and development; the effects of the microbes and how to control them.
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