AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR TEACHING CHEMISTRY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR TEACHING CHEMISTRY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the resources available for teaching chemistry in secondary schools in Ikere local Government Area of Ekiti State.

Five research questions were raised for this study. Literature of various area of relevance to the study were reviewed. The population for the study were chemistry teachers in the local Government Area, chosen for the purpose of the study, sample of forty – four chemistry teachers were selected across the local government, A twenty item questionnaire was used to gather information for the study. For the purpose of data analysis all the stated hypotheses were tested at p -= 0.05 level of significance. Using pearson product moment correlational analysis and chi square goodness of fit methods of analysis.

The findings of the study revealed that most of the schools selected for the research work have available resources but in many of them the resources available are not adequate and the ones available are not adequately maintained.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:

1) The government should equip chemistry laboratories with adequate modern resources/equipment.

2) The Ministry of Education should organize seminars and workshops for teachers from time to time.

3) The school administrators should make sure that chemistry laboratories is well established.

Suggestion for further studies.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Abstract

Table of contents

CHAPTER ONE

Background of the study

Statement of the Problem

Research Questions

Research Hypothesis

Significance of the study

Delimitation of the study

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Resources for teaching chemistry in secondary schools

The uses of resources for the teaching of chemistry

Effect of using resources for teaching chemistry

Strategies for teaching chemistry

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODS

Research design

Population of the study

Sample and sampling techniques

Research Instrument

Validity and Reliability of the instrument

Administration of instrument

Data Analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 33

Summary

Conclusion

Recommendations

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Interest in chemistry is increasing in all the countries of the world. Each country is striving towards producing more and better corps of chemists.

Chemistry has lately assumed, the importance of the foundation of national power and productivity. For a country like Nigeria to produce future generation of competent chemist, it is necessary to form a sound basis for science education in our youths by strengthening the teaching of chemistry especially at secondary school level.

For sometimes now there have been a movement away from chemistry to the extend that the proportion of secondary school students studying chemistry as a subject in comparism with total numbers of students studying arts and commercial subjects have been very low indeed.

However, this may be attributed to many factors, among them are non – availability and improper use of the available resources necessary for the teaching and learning of chemistry. Experts in the field of teaching and relevant field have been finding the best way to make learning situation interesting, stimulating and pleasurable.

Moreover, because of this, provisions have been made by technologist in term of resources like audiovisual materials which have helped to enhance teaching and learning situation, but there are still some problems of these materials not being used by the teachers or totally absent in the schools.

In the teaching of chemistry, the resource play a key role in making learning effective. Seweje and Jegede (2012), “resources in chemistry teaching play a key role in the design and use of systematic instruction. Resources are defined as materials that facilitate learning and make things clearer to the leaner and aids teachers to impact knowledge effortlessly”. Such aid have sensory impact on the learners and allow for better understanding.

In this sense resources in science teaching are classified as follows:

HUMAN RESOURCES: The teachers, invited Guest speaker, qualified supporting staff e.g. laboratory assistance and technologist.

NON – HUMAN RESOURCES: It is sub – divided into material resources and audio visual resources. They are materials that appeal to both sense of learning and sight. They include real materials written and printed materials (Textbooks, chalk, diagrams, teacher’s guide etc) and other physical facilities.

The resources are of a fact not teachers’ aid but pupils’ aid. They are aids to learning rather than to teaching. They make more work for the teachers instead of making it lighter. That is why few teachers use them as they like.

Statement of the Problem

The fall in the academic performance of students in chemistry in senior secondary schools in Ikere local Government Area might not be unconnected with the availability and utilization of educational resources in the teaching of the subject. The following questions were therefore raised for the study.

What relevant educational resources are available for the teaching of chemistry and how adequate are they in Ikere local Government?

How are these available resources maintained? Also, to be examined are the attitude of the teachers to using these available resources in teaching chemistry in Ikere local Government Area?

Research Questions

The following research Questions will be critically examined in this study.

1) Is there any significant difference between the expected number of resources and those available for chemistry teaching in secondary schools in Ikere local government?

2) Is there any significant relationship in the utilization of available resources for the teaching of chemistry among male and female teachers?

3) Is there any significant relationship in the utilization of available resources for the teaching of chemistry among teachers with low, medium and high socio economic status.

4) Is there any significant relationship in the utilization of available resources for teaching chemistry among graduate and non –graduate teachers in Ikere local government?

5) Is there any significant difference between the performance of students taught with the available resources and those taught without resources in chemistry in secondary schools in Ikere local government?

Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will be tested at P = 0.05 level of significance in this study.

1) There is no significant difference between the expected number of resources and those available for the teaching of chemistry in secondary schools in Ikere local government?

2) There is no significant relationship in the utilization of available resources for the teaching of chemistry among male and female teachers in secondary school in Ikere local government.

3) There is no significant relationship in the utilization of available resources for the teaching of chemistry among teachers with low, medium and high social economic status in secondary schools in Ikere local Government.

4) There is no significant relationship in the utilization of available resources for the teaching of chemistry among graduate and non – graduate teachers in secondary schools in Ikere local government.

5) There is no significant difference between the performance of students taught with the available resources and those taught without resources in chemistry in secondary schools in Ikere local government area.

Significance of the Study

It will not be out of place if the investigation of the educational resources available for the teaching of chemistry in secondary schools is given due consideration.

Teachers of chemistry would find the result of this study helpful to them. It would serve as a source of knowledge in solving whatever problems that might be responsible for the poor performance of students in chemistry as a result of inadequate availability of educational resources.

The study is significant as it will go a long way to help the government, the community and the parents to see more areas where assistance should be provided for the school and teachers. Also, this study will help the learners most especially in their academic pursuit; so that their objective in passing chemistry and their choice of future career would always be achieved.

Potential researchers would also find the result useful to them and would serve as stepping stone for further research studies.

Delimitation of the study

This study is restricted to only eleven secondary schools in Ikere local government area of Ekiti State.

The schools are:

Eleyo High School Ikere – Ekiti

Bobas High School Ikere – Ekiti

Ajolagun High School Ikere – Ekiti

Demonstration Staff School Ikere – Ekiti

Ekiti State Government College Ikere – Ekiti

St Louis Grammar School Ikere – Ekiti

Annunciation Grammar School Ikere – Ekiti

African Comprehensive High School Ikere – Ekiti