ABSTRACT: This study examined Demonstration Method and Students’ Academic Achievement in Biology in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State. Three null hypotheses were formulated in line with the specific objectives to guide the study. The quasi experimental research design was adopted for the study. The target population was 523 SS2 students who offered Biology. A sample size of 120 SS2 students who offered Biology was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was “Biology Achievement Test (BAT)”. The data collected were analyzed using independent t-test. The result showed that students taught using class demonstration performed significantly better than their counterparts taught without. It also found that students taught using groups demonstration method performed significantly better than those taught without. The finding further showed that student taught using individual demonstration method performed significantly better than those taught without. It was recommended among others that Biology teachers should adopt demonstration teaching method in teaching to facilitate students understanding of concept taught and improve their academic achievement in the subject. It was concluded that demonstration teaching method has a significant positive effect on students’ achievement in Biology.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Teaching is an activity driven exercise. It involves the passage or transfer of knowledge or ideas by the teacher to the learner. Teaching and learning do not happen by chance, it takes processes, methods and strategies. As the teacher sets out to implement the curriculum contents at the classroom level, he uses a number of methods and methods that will facilitate the learners’ understanding of the concept taught. It is however, incontestable that realization of the objectives of teaching any concept or subject matter to a learner or group of learners will be illusion if the teacher fails to use appropriate methods and methods. Therefore the role of teachers’ teaching method in the teaching-learning process cannot be over- emphasized.
The availability of qualified teacher in schools does not only guarantee the success of teaching and learning, but also the methods and methods adopted by the teachers in imparting knowledge to the learners and their application (Dyer, 2009). In preparing for lessons, a teacher should not be only concerned about what to teach but also how to teach what he has to teach in manner that will guarantee proper understanding among the learners. Students’ negative attitude towards some schools subjects might not be unconnected with the teacher’s method of instruction. Not fully appreciated by most teachers is the importance of teaching methods in the teaching-learning process. Although there are teachers with good mastery of subject matter, the learners ability to comprehend the knowledge imparted by the teacher depends on a large extent on the instructional method adopted by the teacher.
Foster (2008) maintained that several methods of instruction have been employed by teachers to facilitate students’ understanding of instruction for not much success have been recorded due to their wrong application by teachers. Tawari (2010) observed that the use of teaching methods that encourage students’ centred activities are conspicuously lacking among teachers. Hence, for effective teaching to take place, the teacher should stimulate, encourage and maintain active participation of the learners based on the selection of appropriate teaching method. This will ensure a perfect balance between what is taught and how it is taught.
Demonstration Method and Students’ Academic Achievement in Biology in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It an indisputable fact that one of the challenges facing the teaching-learning process in schools over the years is the decline in the level of academic achievement among students. The abysmal achievement of students in schools has become a recurring decimal especially might not be unconnected with certain factors within the school system such as teachers’ methods of instruction.
It has been observed with dismay that most teachers in schools are still using uninspiring and inappropriate teaching methods and methods to impart knowledge to their students. They rely on methods and methods that are easy but mostly inappropriate to the subject matter. There is no gain saying therefore, that the realization of the dream of improving academic achievement of students at all levels of education will remain an herculean task if the teachers fail to adopt teaching methods and method most suitable to a particular subject matter. It is against this background therefore, that this study “Demonstration Method and Students’ academic achievement in Biology in Calabar municipality of Cross River State” become imperative.
Originally posted on May 19, 2021 @ 1:15 am
