CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Biology is a natural science subject concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, identification and taxonomy. Modern biology is a vast field, composed of many branches and sub-disciplines. However, despite the broad scope of biology, there are certain general and unifying concepts within it that govern all study and research, consolidating it into single, coherent field. In general, biology recognizes the cell as the basic unit of life, genes as the basic unit of heredity, and evolution as the engine that propels the synthesis and creation of new species.
The importance of biology in the social and economic development of any nation cannot be over emphasized. Today USA, RUSSIA, and many other countries are regarded as the most highly developed countries, simply because of their knowledge of science, of which biology is one them. For this purpose, the Federal Ministries of Education under the National Policy on Education (FRN, 2004) vividly stressed that the study of science will provide knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the physical world, the forms and the conduct of life, cultivate inquiring, knowing and democracy, all these are the importance of science of which biology is one of the.
Many biology, therefore, innovations are coming up, so that nobody can escape being caught up in the learning of biology. Therefore, the need to acquire new skills, new attitudes and new values for effective teaching of biology in our secondary schools cannot be over – emphasized. Skills should be developed on how to handle practical works on biology. Okeke (2019) observed that the main hope for the developing countries to attain to rapid rate of economic advancement, to raise the standard of living in the future, lies in our will to enhance or improve the rate of learning in the secondary schools, and to motivate students by giving the high points to the development of science.
The increasing demand of service by our biological industries like pharmacological industries, the agro– biological industries etc, can only be met by training capable teachers who will enhance the rate of learning in the secondary schools, and motivate students to specialize in the subject. Most students participate actually in some science subjects like biology and they assume that other science subjects are not easy to handle, such ideas should be discouraged as the science subjects work hand in hand when handling any scientific innovation. The new trend towards social, ethical and humanistic values of biology, demands that the government should equip laboratories for practical purpose and create the right attitudes of teaching the subject, so that the students can inject their experiences into the scientific practices.
Iloeje (2018), in his report for success in practical works in biology, stated that students must be giving opportunities to participate in what ever practice that is going on in the laboratory. He said that, teachers should expose the students to the rudiments of practical activities in biology. They should encourage the need to equip the laboratory for the practical purpose. These will help students to understand and assimilate some of the biology terms, and theories will be made easy to them, so that they will have interest in the study of biology and will wish to continue with it in future.
Onah (2019) emphasized that teaching g involves more than talking all time time. Resources such as diagrams, field works and real objects, when effectively used to explain the subject matter very well of better than lecture. The proper place for effective practical activities is the laboratory. Biology being one of the science subjects cannot be taught or learnt effectively in the absence of practical. Iloeje (2015), in his lesson for effective biology practical activities stated that, of all the five sense organs used, the sense of sight is the highest of them. Kildare and Okoro (2012), established that students understand better when they involve themselves in practical experiment during practical and obtain their results such students can not only remember the procedure involved but also feel proud of themselves of obtaining the correct results, thus stressing the need match theory with practical.
obidiwe (2020), while discussing science curriculum in Nigeria said that, whatever project is selected, theory and practical should go hand in hand. According to him, a practical aspect of biology is neglected so much and when taught at all, the students are almost preparing for their senior secondary certificate examination. As a result, students fail biology in their S.S.C.E. Confirming the above situation Chukwu (2013), observed that practical periods, which are very necessary for successful study of biology are not enough. He highlights the need for the students to be exposed to series of practical activities. The theory and practical aspects of biology need not to be separated but taught as component parts of a subject and not as a separate entity.
Biology is a practical science. Practical activities are not just motivational and fun: they also enable students to apply and extend their knowledge and understanding of biology in novel investigative situations, which can aid learning and memory, and stimulate interest. High quality, appropriate biology experiments and investigations are the key to enhanced learning, and clarification and consolidation of theory. Practical activities are not just motivational and fun: they also enable students to apply and extend their knowledge and understanding of biology in novel investigative situations, which can stimulate interest and aid learning and retention. Crucially, practical work gives students an understanding of how biological knowledge is generated by experiment and observation.
Science is the study of the natural things around us (Modern Biology). Biology being a branch of science involves the study of living things. Biology is the scientific study of living things. Traditionally, biology is divided into two branches viz; botany, the study of animals.
Some of the usefulness of biology were cited by Sarojini (2001), as follows: it helps in (i) scientific research and development of new tools and techniques which invariably improve the quality of our lives, (ii) finding applications in medicine, dentistry, vetenary science, agriculture and horticulture; (iii) biotechnology which include fields like genetic engineering and hybridoma technology (i) dealing with ecological problems such as over population, food shortage, erosion, pollution, disease etc.
Practical biology is the scientific study of the life and structure of plants and animals and their relative environments in real or experimental set-up rather than dwelling in the theory and ideas (Opuh, Eze and EzeMagu; 2008). On its preamble to the international senior secondary school certificate examination syllabus; West African Examination Council WAEC (1998-2003), buttresses the need for biology practical in teaching and learning of biology in the secondary schools. The syllabus was designed to assess candidates in; understanding of the structure and functions of living organisms as well as appreciation of nature. Acquisition of adequate laboratory and filed skills in order to carry out and evaluate experiments and projects in biology.
Acquisition of necessary scientific skills. Example observing, classifying and interpreting biological data etc. It is obvious understand that biology practical lesson is most essential for effective teaching and learning of biology in secondary schools. Hence this study intends to investigate effects of Biology practicals on the academic performance of students in secondary schools. A case study of selected schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state.
Statement of Problem:
Generally, secondary schools students find the study of biology very hard to cope with, some of them drop the subject for other simple subjects. This is of course one of the reasons for poor performance in biology in WAEC and other examinations. In view of the permeation and diverse applications of biology in human endeavors, the defective teaching of biology in secondary schools as demonstrated in the performance of students in biology examinations and advanced studies in life sciences is a serious concern to stakeholders and threat to the future of the subject and this call for urgent attention. Educators are seeking for alternative ways to teach biology so as to change this situation. The problem is, how can practical activities of teaching improve student’s academic achievement in biology? Therefore, this study is poised to examine effects of Biology practicals on the academic performance of students in secondary schools, a case study of selected schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state.
Purpose of the Study:
The general objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Biology practicals on the academic performance of students in secondary schools, a case study of selected schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state. Its specific objectives are:
i. Ascertain the effects of Biology practicals on Biology students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools.
ii. Scrutinize the influence of Biology practicals on students’ interest in Biology in senior secondary schools.Examine the impacts of Biology practicals on teaching and learning.
Significance of the Study
This study will be of significance to many individuals and concerned experts in academic industry. The result of this research will help to alert students, teachers and educationist on the challenges of teaching and learning of Biology practicals in senior secondary schools and equally proffer solutions to the nagging problem. It will expose guidance and counseling personnel and the school administration to the need of establishing guidance programme in schools so as to guide students in establishing good and regular study habit in learning biology using practicals. It will motivate parents to contribute to solving the challenges facing the teaching and learning of biology practicals. It will convince the Biology teachers that improvisation in biology lessons can solve some of the problems in teaching and learning of biology. Parents will be better informed on how to encourage and help their wards to create interest in biology practical.
It will help curriculum planners in designing teacher education curriculum in order to solve the problems confronting learning of biology. It will make the government through the ministry of education to realize the need for provision of biology equipment to schools and posting of qualified biology teachers to secondary schools. The study could be beneficial to curriculum planners who would design functional curriculum by taking into considerations practical activities.
Scope of the Study
This study was limited to public senior secondary schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state. It involves teachers offering Biology as a subject.
Research Questions
The following research questions were raised to guide the study:
1. What are the effects of Biology practicals on Biology students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools?
2. What is the influence of Biology practicals on students’ interest in Biology in senior secondary schools?
3. What are the impacts of Biology practicals on teaching and learning in senior secondary schools?
Definition of Terms
The following terms were operationally defined in this study:
Teaching: This is the process of transferring ideas through methods by the teacher to the students’ in order to ensure learning.
Learning: This is the process of acquiring new ideas which involve change in behavior after acquiring new concept.
Students: someone who is studying at a university, school etc
Classroom: a room that you have lessons in at a school or college
Teacher: someone whose job is to teach, especially in a school
School: a place where children are taught
Biology is a natural science subject concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, identification and taxonomy. Modern biology is a vast field, composed of many branches and sub-disciplines. However, despite the broad scope of biology, there are certain general and unifying concepts within it that govern all study and research, consolidating it into single, coherent field. In general, biology recognizes the cell as the basic unit of life, genes as the basic unit of heredity, and evolution as the engine that propels the synthesis and creation of new species.
The importance of biology in the social and economic development of any nation cannot be over emphasized. Today USA, RUSSIA, and many other countries are regarded as the most highly developed countries, simply because of their knowledge of science, of which biology is one them. For this purpose, the Federal Ministries of Education under the National Policy on Education (FRN, 2004) vividly stressed that the study of science will provide knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the physical world, the forms and the conduct of life, cultivate inquiring, knowing and democracy, all these are the importance of science of which biology is one of the.
Many biology, therefore, innovations are coming up, so that nobody can escape being caught up in the learning of biology. Therefore, the need to acquire new skills, new attitudes and new values for effective teaching of biology in our secondary schools cannot be over – emphasized. Skills should be developed on how to handle practical works on biology. Okeke (2019) observed that the main hope for the developing countries to attain to rapid rate of economic advancement, to raise the standard of living in the future, lies in our will to enhance or improve the rate of learning in the secondary schools, and to motivate students by giving the high points to the development of science.
The increasing demand of service by our biological industries like pharmacological industries, the agro– biological industries etc, can only be met by training capable teachers who will enhance the rate of learning in the secondary schools, and motivate students to specialize in the subject. Most students participate actually in some science subjects like biology and they assume that other science subjects are not easy to handle, such ideas should be discouraged as the science subjects work hand in hand when handling any scientific innovation. The new trend towards social, ethical and humanistic values of biology, demands that the government should equip laboratories for practical purpose and create the right attitudes of teaching the subject, so that the students can inject their experiences into the scientific practices.
Iloeje (2018), in his report for success in practical works in biology, stated that students must be giving opportunities to participate in what ever practice that is going on in the laboratory. He said that, teachers should expose the students to the rudiments of practical activities in biology. They should encourage the need to equip the laboratory for the practical purpose. These will help students to understand and assimilate some of the biology terms, and theories will be made easy to them, so that they will have interest in the study of biology and will wish to continue with it in future.
Onah (2019) emphasized that teaching g involves more than talking all time time. Resources such as diagrams, field works and real objects, when effectively used to explain the subject matter very well of better than lecture. The proper place for effective practical activities is the laboratory. Biology being one of the science subjects cannot be taught or learnt effectively in the absence of practical. Iloeje (2015), in his lesson for effective biology practical activities stated that, of all the five sense organs used, the sense of sight is the highest of them. Kildare and Okoro (2012), established that students understand better when they involve themselves in practical experiment during practical and obtain their results such students can not only remember the procedure involved but also feel proud of themselves of obtaining the correct results, thus stressing the need match theory with practical.
obidiwe (2020), while discussing science curriculum in Nigeria said that, whatever project is selected, theory and practical should go hand in hand. According to him, a practical aspect of biology is neglected so much and when taught at all, the students are almost preparing for their senior secondary certificate examination. As a result, students fail biology in their S.S.C.E. Confirming the above situation Chukwu (2013), observed that practical periods, which are very necessary for successful study of biology are not enough. He highlights the need for the students to be exposed to series of practical activities. The theory and practical aspects of biology need not to be separated but taught as component parts of a subject and not as a separate entity.
Biology is a practical science. Practical activities are not just motivational and fun: they also enable students to apply and extend their knowledge and understanding of biology in novel investigative situations, which can aid learning and memory, and stimulate interest. High quality, appropriate biology experiments and investigations are the key to enhanced learning, and clarification and consolidation of theory. Practical activities are not just motivational and fun: they also enable students to apply and extend their knowledge and understanding of biology in novel investigative situations, which can stimulate interest and aid learning and retention. Crucially, practical work gives students an understanding of how biological knowledge is generated by experiment and observation.
Science is the study of the natural things around us (Modern Biology). Biology being a branch of science involves the study of living things. Biology is the scientific study of living things. Traditionally, biology is divided into two branches viz; botany, the study of animals.
Some of the usefulness of biology were cited by Sarojini (2001), as follows: it helps in (i) scientific research and development of new tools and techniques which invariably improve the quality of our lives, (ii) finding applications in medicine, dentistry, vetenary science, agriculture and horticulture; (iii) biotechnology which include fields like genetic engineering and hybridoma technology (i) dealing with ecological problems such as over population, food shortage, erosion, pollution, disease etc.
Practical biology is the scientific study of the life and structure of plants and animals and their relative environments in real or experimental set-up rather than dwelling in the theory and ideas (Opuh, Eze and EzeMagu; 2008). On its preamble to the international senior secondary school certificate examination syllabus; West African Examination Council WAEC (1998-2003), buttresses the need for biology practical in teaching and learning of biology in the secondary schools. The syllabus was designed to assess candidates in; understanding of the structure and functions of living organisms as well as appreciation of nature. Acquisition of adequate laboratory and filed skills in order to carry out and evaluate experiments and projects in biology.
Acquisition of necessary scientific skills. Example observing, classifying and interpreting biological data etc. It is obvious understand that biology practical lesson is most essential for effective teaching and learning of biology in secondary schools. Hence this study intends to investigate effects of Biology practicals on the academic performance of students in secondary schools. A case study of selected schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state.
Statement of Problem:
Generally, secondary schools students find the study of biology very hard to cope with, some of them drop the subject for other simple subjects. This is of course one of the reasons for poor performance in biology in WAEC and other examinations. In view of the permeation and diverse applications of biology in human endeavors, the defective teaching of biology in secondary schools as demonstrated in the performance of students in biology examinations and advanced studies in life sciences is a serious concern to stakeholders and threat to the future of the subject and this call for urgent attention. Educators are seeking for alternative ways to teach biology so as to change this situation. The problem is, how can practical activities of teaching improve student’s academic achievement in biology? Therefore, this study is poised to examine effects of Biology practicals on the academic performance of students in secondary schools, a case study of selected schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state.
Purpose of the Study:
The general objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Biology practicals on the academic performance of students in secondary schools, a case study of selected schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state. Its specific objectives are:
i. Ascertain the effects of Biology practicals on Biology students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools.
ii. Scrutinize the influence of Biology practicals on students’ interest in Biology in senior secondary schools.Examine the impacts of Biology practicals on teaching and learning.
Significance of the Study
This study will be of significance to many individuals and concerned experts in academic industry. The result of this research will help to alert students, teachers and educationist on the challenges of teaching and learning of Biology practicals in senior secondary schools and equally proffer solutions to the nagging problem. It will expose guidance and counseling personnel and the school administration to the need of establishing guidance programme in schools so as to guide students in establishing good and regular study habit in learning biology using practicals. It will motivate parents to contribute to solving the challenges facing the teaching and learning of biology practicals. It will convince the Biology teachers that improvisation in biology lessons can solve some of the problems in teaching and learning of biology. Parents will be better informed on how to encourage and help their wards to create interest in biology practical.
It will help curriculum planners in designing teacher education curriculum in order to solve the problems confronting learning of biology. It will make the government through the ministry of education to realize the need for provision of biology equipment to schools and posting of qualified biology teachers to secondary schools. The study could be beneficial to curriculum planners who would design functional curriculum by taking into considerations practical activities.
Scope of the Study
This study was limited to public senior secondary schools in Surulere local Government Area of Lagos state. It involves teachers offering Biology as a subject.
Research Questions
The following research questions were raised to guide the study:
1. What are the effects of Biology practicals on Biology students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools?
2. What is the influence of Biology practicals on students’ interest in Biology in senior secondary schools?
3. What are the impacts of Biology practicals on teaching and learning in senior secondary schools?
Definition of Terms
The following terms were operationally defined in this study:
Teaching: This is the process of transferring ideas through methods by the teacher to the students’ in order to ensure learning.
Learning: This is the process of acquiring new ideas which involve change in behavior after acquiring new concept.
Students: someone who is studying at a university, school etc
Classroom: a room that you have lessons in at a school or college
Teacher: someone whose job is to teach, especially in a school
School: a place where children are taught
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