The Problems of Teaching Biology Practicals in Senior Secondary Schools
Chapter One
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
Based on the background and problems of this study, the main purpose underlying the project is to investigate the problem of teaching biology practical in senior secondary schools (SSIII) in Yaba Local Government Area in Lagos state. The study specifically seeks to;
1. To determine the problems of teaching biology practical in senior secondary in Yaba Local Government Area in Lagos District IV, Lagos state.
2. To determine how equipped the biology laboratory with necessary apparatus are.
3. To determine the performance of male and female in the learning of biology practical in senior secondary schools in Yaba Local Government.
4. To determine whether the urban secondary schools perform better than rural senior secondary school.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Conceptual Framework
Biology
Biology is one of the fields in the natural sciences that studies living things. The word ‘Biology’ is come from Greek words; Bios meaning life, and logy (logia) which means study (Ezemoka, 2011). Thus the concept of biology is concerned with the study of life. Miller and Levine (2012) state that biology in addition, is the study of life, structure, function, growth, origin, evolutions distributions, interrelationships, problems such as diseases, and adaptation of things and proposes solutions where possible. However biology is the branch of science that studies life using inquiry methods and discoveries.
Inquiry process involves asking question that stimulate students to think critically which enables students to develop scientific knowledge and scientific habit such as curiosity, creativity, and open minded etc that is needed for understanding biological concepts. Biology as science of life provide potentials for the use of many inquiry method. Abugu (2007) stated that biology is natural science in which we study living organisms’ plants and animals. The knowledge of biology helps in checking environmental degradation such as desertification, erosion, water hyacinth, land, air and water pollution.
The Cardinal Objectives of Biology Education
The cardinal objectives of biology education are to prepare students:
- To acquire adequate laboratory and field skills in biology. Develop skills in manipulation, processing of science information and conducting scientific investigations.
- To acquire meaningful and applying relevant knowledge in biology. Ability to apply scientific knowledge to everyday life in matter of personal and community health and agriculture and lastly reasonable and functional scientific attitudes (Federal Ministry of Education 2004).
- To equip students with useful concept principles and theories that will enable them face the challenges before and after graduation. Practical biology is the scientific study of the life and structure of plant and animals and their relative environment in real or experimental set-up rather than dwelling in the theory and ideas (Opuh, Eze, & Eze Magu, 2008).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine the problems of teaching biology practical in senior secondary schools. Staff of selected secondary schools in Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos District form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the problems of teaching biology practicals in senior secondary schools. 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 the problems of teaching biology practicals in senior secondary schools
Summary
This study was on the problems of teaching biology practicals in senior secondary schools. Four objectives were raised which included: To determine the problems of teaching biology practical in senior secondary in Yaba Local Government Area in Lagos District IV, Lagos state, to determine how equipped the biology laboratory with necessary apparatus are, to determine the performance of male and female in the learning of biology practical in senior secondary schools in Yaba Local Government and to determine whether the urban secondary schools perform better than rural senior secondary school.. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from staffs of selected secondary schools in Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos District. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Concluded that practical method was more effective method of teaching biology in senior secondary schools in Yaba local government area of Lagos State compared to lecture method. Also, practical method is a teaching method that benefits male compared to female students in Yaba local government area of Lagos State
Recommendation
The use of practical activities approach to the teaching and learning of Biology should be made mandatory to all Biology teachers.
Gender stereotyping should be discouraged and girls should be encouraged to study Biology.
Government should build and equip all laboratories in all the secondary schools.
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