Extent Of Availability And Utilization Of Laboratory Equipment In Teaching And Learning Of Biology In Secondary Schools In Ahiazu Mbaise Lga Of Imo State

ABSTRACT

This study investigated extent of availability and utilization of laboratory equipment in the teaching and learning of biology in secondary schools in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. Four research questions were formulated that guided the study. The Study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study population comprises 4,285 students and 31 biology teachers from the Junior Secondary Schools in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA. A sample size of two hundred and four (204) students and twelve (12) Biology teachers were subjected to a questionnaire and checklist which was used for the study.. The instrument was validated by specialists and reliability co-efficient of 0.71 was established. Arithmetic mean and standard deviations were used to analyze the answer research questions and data presented in frequency tables. The findings of the study showed the extent of available laboratory equipment. The study also revealed that despite the availability they are not being utilized effective in teaching and learning of biology. The study also showed that difficulties in controlling student behaviours, insufficient fund, inadequate planning and lack of qualified teachers and laboratory technicians hinders effective teaching to a high extent. Based on the findings, the study concluded that schools in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA have laboratory equipment which were not being used effectively; difficulties in controlling student behaviour, insufficient fund, inadequate planning and lack of qualified teachers and laboratory technicians hindered effective teaching and learning in the sense that inexperienced technicians cannot conduct effective practical for students which leads to failure of students.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, the researcher provides a concise overview of this work with subheadings; background of the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study, purpose of the study, significance of the study and the research questions.

Background to the Study

The relevance of science to nation building has become obvious in the economics and national development of developed countries for developing nations to match p with the trends of scientific and technological development. Science must be stepped up beyond acquisition of knowledge from junior secondary schools and somoe colleges of education in utilization of scientific knowledge in the logical understanding of what science entails is primarily studies in the laboratory. Therefore this emphasizes the importance of laboratory exercises to the appreciation of reality of science.

Onyegbu (2011) stated that as scientist, it is agreed that quality of scientific knowledge is simple not ambiguous and highly organized. It is gotten through experiment, observations, measurement and other processes of science and this is the framework of modern science studies. Thus, the role of the use of laboratory equipment in the laboratory will become a key component in understanding basic science. The use of laboratory equipment in the laboratory, field and rooms will provide students with opportunities to questions, observations, samples, experiences and experiments with scientific phenomena in the quest for knowledge of living things and non living things. Laboratory equipment are those apparatus or instruments and materials that are used in the laboratory; it is used to carryout practical in the laboratory, it is either used to perform experiments or take measurements or gather data. Laboratory and the use of laboratory equipments have been demonstrated to be an effective means for quick understanding, comprehension and application of scientific knowledge.

Biology and technology is one of the approved subjects for Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme introduced in 1999 in order to meet up with the global education standards. The UBE Act was passed into the year 2005. Biology is a subject in UBE in response to competitive demand for science and technology all over the world to promote cognitive, affective and psychomotor domain of the learners.

Elvesor and Itie (2015) asserted that all over the world, attention has been focused on science and technology so that there can be social, economic and even political development in which Nigeria is no exception to this drive. Teachers use of laboratory equipment cannot be undermined in the teaching of biology in Nigeria, schools because it is significant aspect of biology curriculum preparing students for senior secondary school takes place in the laboratories for teaching and learning, not only during practical classes, but also during classroom teaching. Biology adopts laboratory method of teaching scientific skills which can only be effectively developed if biology laboratory equipments are effectively utilized.

Utilization of laboratory equipments for teaching biology in Nigeria faces a lot of challenges. These problems that affects utilization of laboratory equipment in teaching, according to Olaitan (2010) includes, lack of laboratory equipment, lack of awareness of the utilization of laboratory equipments and apathy of teacher to innovation. It is against this backdrop the study seeks to examine the extent of availability and utilization of laboratory equipment in teaching and learning of biology in Ahaizu Mbaise local government area of Imo State.

Statement of the Problem

In order to achieve the education aims and objectives of biology in the junior secondary schools, adequate and appropriate laboratory equipments should be supplied and efficiently utilized in teaching and learning processes.

Obialor (2018) asserted that regrettably, studies have shown that laboratory equipments are not effectively supplied and utilized in teaching and learning processes especially in the developing countries like Nigeria. Most schools follow traditional methods instead of the use of laboratory equipment. The inadequate supply and poor utilization of the laboratory equipment in schools will make biology teaching and learning difficult because some of the topics which are supposed to be taught effectively with laboratory equipments cannot be effectively understood by learners/students without laboratory equipment. It is against this backdrop, the study seeks to examine the extent of availability and utilization of laboratory equipment in teaching and learning of biology in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.

Purpose of the Study

Generally, the purpose of the study is to examine the extent of utilization of laboratory equipment in teaching and learning of biology in secondary schools in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA of Imo State. Specifically, the study intends;

1. To find out the available laboratory equipments used in teaching and learning of biology in senior secondary schools in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA
2. To determine the extent laboratory equipment are being used in teaching and learning of biology in secondary schools in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA

• To determine the adequacy level of laboratory consumables in the teaching and learning of biology

1. To find out the major factors militating the effective use of laboratory equipments in teaching and learning of biology

Significance of the Study

This study will be beneficial to junior secondary school students, parents, teachers and schools administrators.

Students: The findings of this study will help students to understand the subject matters as more concepts and principles that are difficult to them will now be demonstrated and practicalized in the laboratory using laboratory equipments.

Parents: The findings of this study will make the parents to be motivated towards allowing their children to participate actively in practical lessons by providing them with the entire necessary requirements for exercise.

Teachers: The findings of this study will make the teachers lesson effective, interesting and minimizes the rate of talking and chalkboard use.

School Administrators: the findings of this study will provide concrete and reliable information to avoid problems in relation to methodologies to foster meaningful teaching and learning of biology via the use of laboratory equipments.

Research Questions

The following research questions were posed to guide the study;

1. What are the available laboratory equipment used in teaching and learning of biology in secondary schools in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA?
2. To what extent are these available laboratory equipments adequate in teaching and learning of biology in senior secondary schools in AHiazu Mbaise LGA?
3. What are the adequacy levels of consumables in the teaching and learning of biology in schools in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA?
4. What are the factors militating against the effective use of laboratory equipments in the teaching and learning of biology in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA?
   

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   Pages:  76

   Category: Project

   Format:  Word & PDF         

   Chapters: 1-5                                                      

   Material contains Table of Content, Abstract and References.

   

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