Impact of Physical Environment on the Ideato North LGA Junior School Student’s Academic Achievement in English Language
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out the relationship between size of the classroom and the academic achievement of Ideato North students on English language
- To find out the relationship between desk in school in Ideato North local government area and academic achievement in English language
- To find out the relationship between the school building in Ideato North local government and students’ academic achievement in English language
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
Research studies on the classroom environment have revealed that physical arrangement plays a vital role in teaching learning process. It can affect the performance of both teachers and students (Savage, 1999; Stewart and Evans, 1997). The learning setting is comprised of different things i.e., learners, teachers and the physical environment (Lippman, 2010). Physical environment is simply defined as the physical characteristics of the room. It refers to the different things i.e., size of the room, lighting, degree of temperature, condition of classroom floor whether it is carpeted or just concrete etc (www.enotes.com). Physical classroom environment refers to the physical room in which teacher and learners are the main element including its spatial elements i.e., floor, windows, walls as well as other classroom equipments i.e., desks, chairs, rugs, chalkboards, tack boards, easels, counters and computer equipment but not limited to these things (Fisher, 2008). Physical environment can affect students’ comfort and also their ability to learn to some extent. Students who are comfortable are likely to get much information as compared to those who are uncomfortable. Besides, the physical atmosphere can also affect the morale of the learners. Unfavorable classroom environment can discourage the learners and they become less willing to learn (www.enotes.com). Physical environment plays a central role in any activity and makes it more conducive, successful and achievable. According to Oni (1992) and Hallak (1990), physical facilities compose a strategic factor in the operation and functioning of an organization as they determine the excellent performance of any social organization or system including education. Physical facilities are one of the stimulating factors that play a fundamental role in improving academic achievement in the school system. These include; school buildings, accommodation, classrooms, libraries, furniture, laboratories, recreational equipments, apparatus and other instructional materials. Furthermore, their availability, relevancy and sufficiency affect academic achievement positively. On the other hand, poor school buildings and overcrowded classrooms affect academic achievement negatively.
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 Impact of physical environment on the Ideato North LGA junior school students academic achievement in English Language
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 Impact of physical environment on the Ideato North LGA junior school students academic achievement in English Language. 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Ideato North local government 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.
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 Impact of physical environment on the Ideato North LGA junior school students academic achievement in English Language. 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 challenge of physical environment on the Ideato North LGA junior school students academic achievement in English Language
Summary
This study was on Impact of physical environment on the Ideato North LGA junior school students academic achievement in English Language. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out the relationship between size of the classroom and the academic achievement of Ideato North students on English language, to find out the relationship between desk in school in Ideato North local government area and academic achievement in English language and to find out the relationship between the school building in Ideato North local government and students’ academic achievement in English language. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected secondary schools in Ideato North local government. 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 administration, senior staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
It was concluded that there is significant effect of classroom physical environment on the academic achievement scores of secondary school students. Well equipped classroom with physical facilities has a significant positive effect on the academic achievement scores of secondary school students. The students of experimental group obtained high scores as compared to the students of control group. Retention of the students of experimental group was found significantly better than that of the students of control group. In addition, the students of experimental group were found more motivated, interested and attentive during the treatment. In nut shell, it is concluded that if the students feel comfortable within classroom, then they will have much concentration on the lesson taught to them and that is why they will get more information from the teachers and thus they will obtain high scores
Recommendation
- As the study revealed that classroom physical environment plays a crucial role in strengthening students’ academic achievement therefore, it is strongly recommended that classroom physical should be well structured and physical facilities should be provided to each school on priority basis.
- As it is commonly observed that blackboards are used in public schools in this modern and advanced era, therefore, it is strongly recommended that whiteboards should be used instead of blackboards as it increases teachers’ teaching efficiency.
- All the classrooms should be decorated with maps, charts, posters and murals etc as they increase the interest, attentiveness and motivational level of the students. In addition, walls of the classrooms should be well painted.
- Proper lighting system should be ensured so that teaching learning process may take place effectively. In addition, continuous power supply should be ensured. For this purpose, power generator should be given to each school.
References
- A.I.O.U (1998). Secondary Education: Study Guide M.Ed Course Code 827. Faculty of Education, Teacher Education Department, Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad. p.2
- Basit, A. (2005). Classroom Management Techniques at Secondary Level and Developing a Model for Urban Schools for District Peshawar. M.Phil Thesis, Faculty of Education, Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad. pp. 16-17
- Culp, B. (2005). Management of the Physical Environment in the Classroom and Gymnasium: It’s not That Different. Teaching Elementary Physical Education, 17 (5), pp.13–15.
- Earthman, G. I. (2004). Prioritization of 31 Criteria for School Building Adequacy. American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Maryland. pp.11-16 .
- Fisher, E. S. (2008). The Effect of the Physical Classroom Environment on Literacy Outcomes: How 3rd Class Teachers use the Physical Classroom to Implement a Balanced Literacy Curriculum. A Thesis presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School University of Missouri
- Haertel, G. D., Walberg, H. J., & Haertel, E. H. (1981). Socio-psychological environments and learning: A quantitative synthesis. British Educational Research Journal, 7, 27-36.
- Hallack, J. (1990). Investing in the Future: Setting Educational Priorities in the Developing World. Paris 1 TEP and Pergonion Press.
- Halstead, D. K. (1974). Statewide planning in higher education. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 485,505-507,
- Higgins, S., Hall, E., Wall, K., Woolner, P. and McCaughey, C. (2005). The Impact of School Environments: A literature review, The Centre for Learning and Teaching, School of Education, Communication and Language Science, University of Newcastle. . p.18, 26
