The Role of Laboratory Facilities on Students Academic Performance
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the role of laboratory facilities on students’ academic performance. Other specific objectives of this study are:
- To determine the level of impact of laboratory on students’ academic performance.
- To determine the frequency of usage of laboratories in secondary schools.
- To examine the challenges faced when using laboratories in secondary schools.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Utilization of laboratory facilities and students’ academic performance; Availability, adequacy and utilization of laboratory facilities and students’ academic performance in Chemistry Literature and researches on the extent of utilization of laboratory facilities and academic performance in Chemistry seem to be relatively limited and scanty. Utilization of laboratory facilities is the frequency with which the available laboratory facilities are used during laboratory experiments. Laboratory facilities can be available, adequate but not utilized during science teaching. The experiences gathered so far indicate that there is still much research to be done on the extent of utilization of laboratory facilities in secondary school science teaching and learning. This is why it becomes expedient to find out if teachers and students are actually utilizing laboratory facilities during Chemistry teaching. Jatau (2008) analyzed the extent of utilization of laboratory facilities and students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Pankin. The finding was that science teachers possessed adequate knowledge of the utilization of laboratory facilities for teaching science in secondary schools. Oriade (2008) in a separate study investigated the utilization of laboratory facilities in Biology. Results revealed that most laboratory facilities were not adequately utilized during Biologyteaching and learning in secondary schools, while some of the facilities were seldom adequate in schools. Mathew (1998) examined the utilization of laboratory facilities and students’ academic performance, and discovered that utilization of laboratory facilities had a positive relationship with students’ academic performance towards science teaching and promotes good academic performance in the subject. An earlier work by Adeniyi (1983) drew attention to the relationship between utilization of laboratory facilities and students’ academic performance in Chemistry and found that the utilization of laboratory facilities was not significantly related with students’ academic performance in the subject. Olarewaju (1994) working on the extent of utilization of laboratory facilities and students’ academic performance, explained that utilization of laboratory facilities as a process of “doing science” through practical procedures, was a manipulative process of learning which promoted good academic performance in Chemistry teaching and learning. Olarewaju, added that among other factors, when laboratory facilities were adequately utilized by students, it elicited desired behavioural change in the learners. Utilization of laboratory facilities is an activity-oriented instruction, student centred and leads to self-reliant instruction. Edet (2008) investigated the influence of utilization of laboratory facilities and students’ academic performance in Biology. Using a sample of two hundred (200) Senior Secondary School one (SS I) students taught by utilizing laboratory facilities and the control group taught without utilizing laboratory facilities during Biology teaching. The results showed that students taught using laboratory facilities frequently achieved higher than those taught without utilizing laboratory facilities during Biology lessons.
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
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 role of laboratory facilities on students academic performance. 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 role of laboratory facilities on students academic performance
Summary
This study was on the role of laboratory facilities on students academic performance. Three objectives were raised which included: To determine the level of impact of laboratory on students’ academic performance, to determine the frequency of usage of laboratories in secondary schools and to examine the challenges faced when using laboratories in secondary schools. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from students of King’s College. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The study showed the importance and significant role played by the utilization of laboratory facilities on students’ achievement in chemistry. The study revealed that laboratory facilities do not significantly contribute to the variance in academic performance in chemistry. Students’ variance in achievement as attributed to other variables. Laboratory facilities allowed students to interact and understand chemistry concepts.
Recommendation
Adequate laboratory equipment’s must be provided if the teaching and academic performance of students offering chemistry in schools must be enhance
References
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- Chukwuemaka, P. C. (2008). Efficacy of utilization of laboratory resources on the acquisition of science process skills among primary science pupils. Paper presented at the 49thannual Science Teachers’ conference STAN, Nsugbe, August 3-5.
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- Jatau, A. A. (2008). Identification of level of utilization of STME curriculum instructional resources among science teachers in Pankshin. Proceedings of the 47thannual conference of STAN, Calabar, August 3-7.
