THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHING METHOD AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN CHEMISTRY

The Influence of Teaching Method and Academic Performance of Students in Chemistry

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out on teaching method and academic performance of students in chemistry in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. Two hundred (200) SSII students randomly pooled from five public secondary schools were first divided into group A and B. Group A in each school were taught separation technique with Discussion method while Group B were taught with lecture method; after which 10 objective questions on the topic were administered. Later, female students in each school were constituted into group A while the male students made up group B.

Thereafter, general topic “pollution” was placed before the two groups for discussion for 20 minutes after which 10 structured questions were administered to all the students. The raw scores collated in each case were subjected to independent t-test analysis. Finding revealed that students taught with discussion method performed significantly higher than student taught will lecture method. Similarly female students in group A performed better in discussion test than their male folks in group B. recommendation made is that Government should organized seminars and workshop for the teachers to enable them improve their instructional strategies and teachers should adjust their teaching method to match with the level of the learners.

THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHING METHOD AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study

The teaching of chemistry of some students by teachers is always a very difficult task because chemistry is a branch of physical science that has to do with the study of the composition, structure, properties and change of matter. It is mainly concerned with the atoms and their interaction with other atoms for example, the properties of the chemical bonds formed between atoms to create chemical compounds. Sometimes, chemistry is seen as the mother of sciences because it bridges other natural sciences like physics, geology and biology with each other. Chemistry courses are required for many university and college students especially for students who are studying science. Most students find chemistry classes and laboratory work stressful.

Education, particularly science and technical education is the factors for the production of the needed technologists, technicians and craftsmen as well as skilled artisans who are required to transform the nation’s economy and use the desired technological advancement which is required for the elevation of Nigeria from a developing nation to a developed nation (Usman, 2000 and Angyaye, 2007).

Acquisition of appropriate scientific and technological skills is necessary to cope with the challenges presented by the evolving needs of modern work place in our industries and the ever growing non formal sector. Education and training systems that respond adequately to these demands will, therefore, contribute to the efforts to overcome the growing unemployment and marginalization of majority of the populace.

According to Adesoji (2008), chemistry teaching is suppose to be result oriented and students central, and this can only be achieved when students are willing and the teaching is favourable disposed using the appropriate methods and resources in teaching the students. Students by nature are curious, they need to be actively involved in the learning process in which they are continuously equipping, testing, speculating and building their own personal construct and knowledge. It is only by personalizing such knowledge that it becomes valid, meaningful and useful to them.

THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHING METHOD AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN CHEMISTRY

In chemistry, students need to actively construct their own personal awareness and meaning. To substantiate the argument, Usma & Onocha C. O (1985) opined that brain is not a passive consumer of information, but to learn with understanding. Learning must actively construct meaning if what to be learned.

Despite the prime position chemistry occupies in our educational system and the efforts made by researchers to enhance performance, students performances in chemistry and sciences in general are not encouraging some of the reasons identified for this failure are laboratory inadequacy, teachers’ attitude examination malpractice time constraint for carrying out practical, non-coverage of syllabus, class size, non-professionalism and environment.

The method of teaching chemistry in secondary schools should be based on practical which is aimed at giving the students the opportunity to gain meaningful learning, acquired appropriate skills and attitudes that enable them live and contributed to the development of the society.

1.2   Statement of the problem

A great number of seminars and conference papers have been written on the teaching materials and academic performance of students in chemistry in recent times. Scholars are of the opinion that the teaching method used by teachers in teaching chemistry students is on the decline. It is very disappointing to note that even though there are so many activities to help students improve their performance in chemistry. Many do not perform creditably in internal and external examinations. It has also been observed that some teachers use inappropriate teaching method during their course of instruction delivery.

Moreover, it has been observed that most secondary schools do not have equipment laboratory. This is very unfortunate, but very true. It is against this background, therefore that the teaching method and academic performance of students in chemistry in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area imperative.

1.3   Purpose of the study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the teaching method and academic performance of students in chemistry in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. the study will examine the different methods used in teaching chemistry to students in senior secondary schools.

Moreso, this study will suggest measures towards improving the academic performance of students in chemistry in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. the study will seek to find out if teaching method was any effect on students academic performance.

1.4   Significance of the study 

This study will be of immense benefit to teachers, educators, students, researchers and academic institutions in the following ways:

• Explore appropriate chemistry teaching methods for use in secondary schools.
• It will facilitate students’ academic performance in chemistry.
• It will help chemistry curriculum planners and education policy makers to develop curriculum and implement policies that will enhances effective teaching method and academic performance of students in chemistry. Also, the study will serve as a spring board and reference points for future researchers in the areas of the research.

1.5   Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses were raised in line with the purpose of the study:

1. There is no significant difference between teaching methods and academic performance of chemistry students in senior secondary schools.
2. There is no significant difference between the strategies adopted in teaching chemistry and academic performance of chemistry students in senior secondary schools.

1.6   Limitations of the study

The scope of this study is limited to teaching methods and academic performance of students in chemistry in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It has nothing to do with personal characteristics of the students. The major limitations to this study included inadequate finance and time constraint.

1.7   Definition of Terms

Definitions were given to the following terms:

Method: This simply means a particular way of doing something.

Properties: Things that are owned by somebody, i.e. a possession or possessions.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the procedures, strategies and methodology utilized. Namely: The research design, research area, population of the study, sample and sampling technique, instrumentation, validity of the instrument and method of data analysis, administration of instrument. 

3.1   Research Design

The researcher adopted a quasi experimental research design in assessing the study this design was considered most appropriate between dependent variable.

The survey design is therefore described as non-experimental designed in which researcher attempted to investigate teaching method and academic performance of students in chemistry on Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State using questionnaire, interviews and observations. 

3.2   Research Area

The study was conducted in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

It is made up of a community with mineral resources, primary and secondary schools. The research area was chosen because the researcher is acquainted with the area. It was chosen for the purpose of conveniences in terms of time and finance at the disposal of the researcher. Ibiono Ibom is located in the south-south (Niger Delta Region) of Nigeria and is a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It is bounded by Cross River State, Itu, Ikono, Akechukwu (Abia State), Abak and Ini Local Government Area respectively. 

3.3   Population of the Study

The population of this study consisted of the senior secondary school students in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. This was considered appropriate for the study since they were the targets upon which information was to be gathered.

3.4   Sample and Sampling Technique

The sample population consisted of 100 chemistry students which were randomly selected for the study. Some pieces of papers were allowed to take part in the study while those who picked ‘NO’ were exempted.

The simple random sampling technique was adopted to select the size of 100 respondents from fire schools out of the whole schools and 20 students were picked from each selected school. 

3.5   Research Instrument

The instrument used for data collection was Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) based on the teaching method to be adopted in teasing chemistry in secondary schools.

THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHING METHOD AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN CHEMISTRY

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1   Summary

The study was on teaching method and academic performance of students in chemistry in Ibiono Ibom Local government area of Akwa Ibom State. In order to assess the methods used in teaching chemistry students in secondary schools, two research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study.  A quasi- experimental research design was adopted and Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) was used data collection.

The study used a sampled size of 200 respondents some recommendations were made and these include: Government should encourage and motivate supervision and provision of enabling environment for teachers to used the best method in teaching chemistry to students in order to lay the so that their academic performance will be improved basic scientific foundation for technological growth and development of the nation.

 5.2   Conclusion

Arising from the study the use of discussion method to teach the students could improve academic achievement and gender may be a factor in academic achievement if discussion method is utilized.

The research finding confirms that academic performance is enhanced if the right method of teaching is used.  The review of related literature provided important information on the teaching methods to be used while teaching chemistry in secondary schools in Ibiono Ibom local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

 5.3    Recommendations

Having successfully carried not the study the following recommendations were made:

(i)  Teachers should be flexible in their choice of teaching method and not self led with the conventional lecture methods at all times.  To discussion method to teach Chemistry in Senior Secondary school.

(ii)  The Government should encourage and motivate supervision and provision of enabling environment for teachers to used the best method in teaching chemistry to the students.

(iii)   The government should encourage and promo job training, workshops, seminars, symposia and conferences for the teachers of chemistry in secondary schools to update their knowledge on the appropriate methods of teaching chemistry.