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Education Project Topics

Biology Teachers’ Access and Utilization of Virtual Laboratory in Secondary Schools in Okene Local Government Area

Biology Teachers' Access and Utilization of Virtual Laboratory in Secondary Schools in Okene Local Government Area

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Biology Teachers’ Access and Utilization of Virtual Laboratory in Secondary Schools in Okene Local Government Area

CHAPTER ONE

Objective of the study

The following research hypotheses are formulated;

  1. To find out the perception of Biology teachers on access and utilization of virtual laboratory in secondary schools in okene local government area
  2. To find out the effect of virtual laboratory on performance of student on biology
  3. To find out the availability of facilities for virtual laboratory in secondary school in okene local government

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Theoretical Context

The use of virtual laboratories in teaching and learning is based on David Kolbโ€™s (1984) experiential learning theory, which is rooted in the constructivist approach and John Deweyโ€™s work (Ouyang & Stanley, 2014). Around 1938, Dewey showed that no learning happens without practice and the active involvement of students. Kolb advocated and applied Deweyโ€™s concept of โ€œlearning by doingโ€, believing that learning occurs through cognitive and experiential learning (Kolb & Kolb, 2005). The core of experiential learning theory is the individual learnerโ€™s participation and experiences (Ouyang & Stanley, 2014). The application of virtual labs in teaching ensures studentsโ€™ active learning (Evans et al., 2004). The use of virtual labs allows learners to experiment with immediate feedback and interactivity (Dyrberg et al., 2017; Tan & Waugh, 2013). Thus, virtual labs help students to learn by doing and to become more engaged in their studies (Gallagher et al., 2005; Marchevsky et al., 2003).

The Virtual Lab as a training means

This section deals with utilizing the Virtual Lab as a training tool concerning enhancing understanding, improving operational skill, promoting learning interest and inspiring innovation. The results show the Virtual Lab as a means of providing training, experience for teaching laboratories, and positive attitudes towards learning (Rong, 2005, Hatherly, et al. 2009). An illustrative example is the study of Feudner et al. (2009) who investigated whether capsulorhexis training on a surgical simulator improves wet-lab operating performance of surgical novices; the results showed that such training improved traditional lab situation. In relation to science laboratories and training, Bell and Fogler (1999) produced a sequence of VR-based laboratory accidents that allowed students to experience potential consequences of laboratory safety. A set of safety rules based upon criteria of lab situations, potential consequences, and adaptability to a virtual reality environment, were presented.

 

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.\

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

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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 Biology teachers’ access and utilization of virtual laboratory in secondary schools in okene local government area. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges ofย Biology teachers’ access and utilization of virtual laboratory in secondary schools in okene local government area

Summary

This study was on Biology teachers’ access and utilization of virtual laboratory in secondary schools in okene local government area. Five objectives were raised which included: ย To find out the perception of Biology teachers on access and utilization of virtual laboratory in secondary schools in okene local government area, to find out the effect of virtual laboratory on performance of student on biology and to find out the availability of facilities for virtual laboratory in secondary school in okene local government. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected secondary schools in okene local government. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

Conclusion

This study on Biology teachers’ access and utilization of virtual laboratory in secondary schools in okene local government area, the study concluded that Biology teachers’ self-efficacy ย in ย the ย use ย of ย virtual ย laboratory ย for ย instruction ย was ย high biology. Also, there is no significant difference between male and female Biology teachers’ in their self-efficacy in the use of a virtual laboratory for instruction. ย This showed that females are ย also ย coming ย up ย in ย matters ย concerning ย ICT ย and ย so ย should ย not ย be ย discriminated ย against. Appointments that will involve the use of ย ICT can thus be given to anybody without gender biases

ย Recommendation

Simulated environments involving the use of virtual laboratory should be encouraged and provided for teachers teaching sciences. Science curriculum should be restructured to accommodate the use of virtual laborator. Less experienced teachers, as well as the experienced, should be encouraged to adopt the use of the virtual laboratory for instruction.

References

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  • Akpan, J., & Strayer, J. (2010). Which comes first: The use of computer simulation of frog dissection or conventional dissection as academic exercise? Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 29(2), 113-138. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ885724
  • Babateen, M. H. (2011). The role of virtual laboratories in science education [Conference session]. IACSIT Press, Singapore. http://www.ipcsit.com/vol12/19- ICDLE2011E10013.pdf
  • ย Borgerding, L. A., Sadler, T. D., & Koroly, M. J. (2013). Teachersโ€™ concerns about biotechnology education. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 22(2), 133-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-012-9382-z
  • ย Borgman, C. L., Abelson, H., Dirks, L., Johnson, R., Koedinger, K., & Linn, M. C. (2008). Fostering learning in the networked world: The cyberlearning opportunity and challenge. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/32t8b4bt
  • Boulay, R., Parisky, A., & Campbell, C. (2010, June). Developing teachersโ€™ understanding of molecular biology: Building a foundation for students [Conference session]. ASCILITE 2010 โ€“ The Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education, Sydney. https://www.ascilite.org/conferences/sydney10/procs/Boulay-full.pdf
  • Breakey, K. M., Levin, D., Miller, I., & Hentges, K. E. (2008). The use of scenario-basedlearning interactive software to create custom virtual laboratory scenarios for teaching genetics. Genetics, 179(3), 1151-1155. https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.108.090381
  • ย Brinson, J. R. (2015). Learning outcome achievement in non-traditional (virtual and remote) versus traditional (hands-on) laboratories: A review of the empirical research. Computers & Education, 87, 218-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2015.07.003
  • Cavanagh, H., Hood, J., & Wilkinson, J. (2005). Riverina High School studentsโ€™ views of biotechnology. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, 8(2), 121-127. https://doi.org/10.2225/vol8-issue2-fulltext-1
  • ร‡imer, A. (2012). What makes biology learning difficult and effective: Studentsโ€™ views. Educational Research and Reviews, 7(3), 61-71. https://academicjournals.org/article/article1379665422_Cimer.pdf

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