An Investigative Study on the Views of Biology Students on the Problems of Laboratory Management and Safety in Secondary Schools
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of the study is to investigate the view of biology students on the problem of laboratory management and safety in secondary schools, but to aid the successful completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following specific objectives:
- To ascertain the effect of poor management of laboratory equipment on student performance in biology
- To investigate the role of biology teachers in the management of laboratory equipment
- To ascertain the role of student in the management of laboratory equipment
- To examine the relationship between improvised teaching materials and student performance in biology
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
It is a well-known issue today that science influences man in all aspects of life including feeding, clothing, shelter, health care, communication, transportation, space exploration, as well as leisure. Ayodele,(2000) and Elechi, (2010) inferred that the most obvious effect of science has been its medical and technological applications, with the accompanying effects on health care, lifestyles, and social structures. Science also influences culture in many modern societies by playing a major role in shaping cultural world views, concepts, and thinking patterns (Abimbola, 1998). It is important to note that science is useful in the world today. Almost all aspects of man’s life are influenced by science either directly or indirectly (Eze, 2003). Man needs to be scientifically literate to exist comfortably in his environment. This informs the need for inclusion of scientific literacy in the goals of education in Nigeria (FME, 2008). The relevance of science in development of the nation cannot be over emphasized. Scholars (Ajayi, 2008), agreed that the growth of any nation to the standard of the 21st century technology should be anchored on the scientific based knowledge of her subjects. The growth of any nation is a measure of its advancement in science. Science is a major subject taught in schools all over Nigeria, and any nation that hopes to develop must not neglect the teaching of science in its schools (Fakorede, 1999). One of such science subjects is Biology. Biology can be defined as the science of life (Ogunleye, 2002). It is a science subject offered in all the senior secondary schools in Nigeria, which is compulsory for both the science, and Arts oriented students. Odogwu (1998) pointed out that, the teaching of biology is important because, it equips the students to comprehend the world around them and equips them with necessary skills to build a progressive society. Similarly, Odogwu (1998) observed that, biology provides a platform for teaching students the ability to apply learning of science concepts and principles in solving everyday’s problems. Biology remains one of the basic sciences whose teaching and learning is universally known to be efficient and successful, if only undertaken simultaneously with the help of adequate instructional resources and facilities. Biology plays a vital role in the field of biochemistry, medicine, physiology, ecology, genetics, and molecular biology and as such, biology has been made a central focus in most human activities including being a solution to the problem of food scarcity, health, hygiene, family life, poverty eradication, management and conservation of natural resources, biotechnology, ethics, various social vices and as well lack of appropriate infrastructural materials. Biology is one of the science subjects that senior secondary students offer in senior secondary certificate examinations in Nigeria (FRN, 2004). Interestingly, it is a popular subject among students and its popular nature among other science subjects has made it distinct choice for all students (Lawal, 2011). Biology is a very important science subject and a requirement for further studies of other science related professional courses such as medicine, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology, genetic engineering, etc. Biology is the key to economic, intellectual, sociological, human resource development and well being of any society. It is of importance in many ways for both individual and societal development as seen in biotechnology and genetic engineering (Chukwuneke, 2005). Based on these assertions on the importance of biology, there is need for it to be properly taught in the secondary schools to improve students’ achievement in the subject.
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 examine the views of biology students on the problems of laboratory management and safety in secondary school.
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, things the researcher is interested in getting information on the study an investigative study on the views of biology students on the problems of laboratory management and safety in secondary schools. 200 students of secondary school in Ogun state was 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.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to investigate the view of biology students on the problems of laboratory management.
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 laboratory management in secondary schools
Summary
Based on the discussion of the results on the use of the biology laboratory in teaching the subject especially the practical aspects, the researcher observed that: Most of the secondary schools surveyed in the three Education zones of Ogun State did not have well equipped laboratory laboratories. Those schools that have laboratories lacked qualified Biology teachers and untrained laboratory Assistants. For the teachers to perform very well in their teaching career, the school authorities and the Government should build and equip the chemistry laboratories
Conclusion
It is evident from the finding of this research that the use of biology laboratory equipment is directly linked to students’ improved performance. When students are exposed to the use of this equipment, they tend to perform better than they would have done without these facilities
Recommendations
Based on the finding of this research and the conclusion drawn, the following recommendations were made;
1) Supervisors and inspectors from the Ministry of Education should strictly monitor the frequency of use of laboratory equipment by both teachers and students. This will ensure a hitch free utilization of the available science laboratory equipment in teaching and learning of Biology and such process will encourage students to do science of biology instead of learning about it
2) Secondary Education board should ensure that laboratory technicians as well as laboratory technologists are employed and posted to all public secondary schools in the State. They will complement the effort of the subject teachers especially where such teachers may not be knowledgeable on the operations of modern equipment.
3) Secondary Education Board, professional bodies like STAN should organize seminars, workshops and refresher courses for biology teachers. In such fora, specialists like educational and laboratory technologists, laboratory technicians, computer experts and so on should be invited to train Biology teacher
Reference
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