An Investigation Into Ss2 Student’s Difficulties in Learning the Ecological Aspects of Biology
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To investigate why SS2 student find it difficult to learn the ecological aspect of biology in secondary
- To ascertain the relationship between biology teacher and academic performance of SS2 student on biology
- To ascertain the relationship between instructional materials on biology and academic achievement of SS2 student on biology
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Factors that affect students ‘achievement in Biology
Researchers defined achievement as a function of many interrelated variables: students’ ability, attitude and perceptions, socioeconomic variables, school-related variables, parent and peer influences. Many of these variables are home- and family related and thus is difficult to change since they are outside the control of educators. Whereas school related variables can be influenced and changed by educational interventions (Singh, Granville, and Dika, 2002). Walberg (1981) advanced educational productivity theory which determines achievement by nine factors in three sets:
1) Student variables such as ability or prior achievement, motivation, and age or developmental level;
2) Instructional variables such as time and quality;
3) Variables of psychological environments of the classroom, home, peer group, and mass media.
Fraser, Walberg, Welch and Hattie (1987) reported that previous achievement, family and home environment, motivational variables, instructional time and also academic time affect achievement. Young, Reynolds, and Walberg (1996) investigated the influence of school and individual factors on determination of Biology learning of 10th grade students. The dependent variable was the Biology achievement while the independent variables were in two levels. Student-level independent variables were sex, attitude toward Biology, prior achievement, motivation, instructional time, home environment, peer characteristics, and 10 mass media; school-level independent variables were instructional quality and classroom environment. Results of their study showed that most of the variance was dependent on the individual level rather than on the school level. Previous achievement had most influence on achievement however initial Biology attitude, instructional time, home environment, and exposure to mass media also had significant student-level influences on Biology achievement. On the other hand, at the school level, classroom environment was found to be significant. Singh et al. (2002) examined the effects of school-related constructs, motivation, attitude, and academic engagement on 8th grade students’ mathematics and science achievement. Motivation construct was twofold; attendance of school and classes, and participation and preparedness for classes.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to investigation into ss2 students difficulties In learning the ecological aspects of biology
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items or things. The researcher is interested in getting information investigation into ss2 students difficulties in learning the ecological aspects of biology. 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Uyo were selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain an investigation into ss2 students difficulties In learning the ecological aspects of biology. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of investigation into ss2 students difficulties In learning the ecological aspects of biology.
Summary
This study was on An investigation into ss2 students difficulties In learning the ecological aspects of biology. Three objectives were raised which included: To investigate why SS2 student find it difficult to learn the ecological aspect of biology in secondary, to ascertain the relationship between biology teacher and academic performance of SS2 student on biology and to ascertain the relationship between instructional materials on biology and academic achievement of SS2 student on biology. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staffs of selected secondary schools in Uyo. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made principals, vice principals adm, teachers and junior staffs students were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies.
Conclusion
The results indicated that most of the students find biology difficult. It is therefore worthwhile to develop a test to measure students’ formal reasoning ability on biology and therefore determine whether biology is at the level of high school aged people.
Recommendation
Nigeria ministration of education should employ qualified teachers that can handle biology for the betterment of the achievement of student
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