Utilization of Relia Resources for Teaching and Students Academic Performance in Biology in Secondary Schools

UTILIZATION OF RELIA RESOURCES FOR TEACHING AND STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN UKANAFUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background to the Study

Biology is one of the core subjects in senior secondary schools in Nigeria. Hence, an encouragement to learn Biology especially at the senior secondary school (SSS) level is of paramount importance. Practical work constitutes an integral part of Biology.

Ndu (2017), stated that practical work helps students to learn various skills and gives students a sense of achievement when they themselves make discoveries and arrive at scientific conclusion through their own experiments.

Relia resources are inevitable in the teaching of practical skills in Biology. It makes teaching and learning more meaningful and real. Ige (2018), defined instructional resources as modern science equipment, library, printed materials, projected media, real and stimulated aids, visual and audio visual aids, science resources and school environment.

Wuyep and Agbo (2015), stated that Relia resources include both human activities and materials. Without human resources, teaching and learning of practical skills in Biology will not take place effectively. On the other hand, human resources will not alone communicate learning.

The studies by Banu (2012), and Awoyele (2011), have shown that lack of adequate supply of science equipment and improper management and utilization of available equipment in teaching is what leads to low achievement in science.

Soyibo (2016), in his own view states that the poor performance of biology students in schools was attributed to improper utilization of the laboratory equipment by the teachers. To reverse the negative trend of this low performance in science, there is need to encourage the science teachers to be more resourceful and use the available materials in teaching and learning of biology.

Shortage of instructional resources in secondary schools is not new. What seems to be the practice is that teachers have not been able to utilize the available resources and by implementation, this resources are wasted. In view of this, the problem of this study is therefore to find out the state of Relia resources and   their utilization in teaching and learning of Biology in secondary schools in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

 

Utilization of Relia Resources for Teaching and Students Academic Performance in Biology in Secondary Schools

1.2    Statement of the Problem   

The study is motivated by the fact that students do not retain for long or understand what they are taught without effective use of Relia resources. Such learning does not encourage participation and lack interest or stimulation.

It is not based in sense experience nor does it extend their experience. Above all, such learning cannot be permanent because what they see is what they retain most. Yet, there is also evidence of low utilization and non availability of Relia resources in secondary schools. The study will therefore investigate the utilization of Relia resources  for teaching and students academic performance in Biology in secondary schools  in Ukanafun Local government Area, so that note will be taken of the hindrances and work towards promoting the use of Relia resources for teaching and learning of Biology.

 

1.3    Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study was to investigate on the effect of the utilization Relia resources for teaching and students academic performance in Biology in secondary schools, in Ukanafun Local government Area.

The study shall base on the following aims:

(i)     Determine the difference in the academic performance of Biology students taught with the use of Relia resources and those taught without the use of Relia resources.

(ii)    Determine the difference in academic performance of male and female Biology students taught with the use of Relia resources.

 

1.4    Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:

(i)     There is no significant difference in the academic performance of Biology students taught with the use of Relia resources and those taught without the use of Relia resources.          

(ii)    There is no significant difference in the academic performance of male and female Biology students taught with the use of Relia resources.

Utilization of Relia Resources for Teaching and Students Academic Performance in Biology in Secondary Schools

1.5    Significance of the Study

Relia resources have been in existence for a long time, but they are often underutilized. It is then expected that, following the identification of the hindrances to maximum performance of science students, the study will be of benefit to students, teachers and the society at large.

Discoveries from the study will guide teachers, Government, sponsoring bodies and donors on the purchase of not only Relia resources but also other resources for schools for effective teaching and learning.

1.6    Limitation of the Study

This study was faced with a number of difficulties such as difficulty in administering of the achievement tests by the researcher on the sample schools, academic work load, financial constraints   and limited time factor.

1.7    Delimitation

This study was delimited to utilization of Relia resources for teaching and students’ academic performance in Biology in secondary schools in Ukanafun Local government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Analysis was on senior secondary two (SS2) Biology students in the selected schools.

Utilization of Relia Resources for Teaching and Students Academic Performance in Biology in Secondary Schools

1.8    Definition of Terms on the Study

The following terms are defined as used in the study

Relia Resources: These are real or concrete materials that are carefully or skillfully used in the teaching and leaning of Biology in secondary schools.

Utilization of Relia Resources: This is how Relia resources are used by teachers for the teaching of Biology.

Academic Performance: It is the actual   Grade or marks or scores required by the students in test, examination and assignment which indicate their performance on that particular subject (Biology).

Biology: This is the study of life, or the study of plants and animals.