CHALLENGES OF STUDENTS IN CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE PHYSICS PRACTICAL IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Today we are living in the age of science and technology. Scientific inventions and discoveries have revolutionalised our lives. Science is nothing but knowledge so obtained by observations, readings, experimentation and realization.

Science subjects constitute a major part of the subjects being offered in most post primary institutions in Nigeria today. These subjects are so important that the Federal government National Policy on Education (2004) in specific terms states that “the secondary school Education shall provide trained manpower in the applied sciences and technology’’.

The importance attached to science by the Federal government could be due to the general belief that science is capable of improving and changing skills, attitudes, and cognition by increasing pupil’s store of knowledge about themselves, their environment and their world. The development of any nation which depends on science and technology, hinges on science Education, science has been viewed as an instrument that can aid development in many countries. It plays important and dominant roles in spear heading technological advancements, promoting national wealth, improving health, and accelerating industrialization (Validya, 2003).

Physics as one of the science subjects is basic for understanding the complexities of modern technology and essential for technological advancement of a nation. This aspect of science is making significant contributions to many of the inventions that are shaping modern day, and has helped to explain many of the events being encountered in everyday life. Physics is one of the pre-requisite subjects for the study of engineering technological, medical and other applied science courses, in the University. Physics provide training for a vast range of carriers where it is either employed directly or where the skills developed can be applied in innovative ways in other fields. Despite its importance, physics remain the least favored science subject among students generally, only a few students choose to study physics at O. Level and subsequently at higher degree. Students performs poorly in physics, lack of practical work may be an important reason for students for poor content knowledge and understanding of physics at secondary school level in Nigeria (Millar, 2004).

There is a serious shortage of students and teachers of physics in Nigerian secondary schools, this is generating concern among science educators, and researchers are increasingly exploring why students avoid the subject, over the years student of physics in secondary school have found it extremely difficult to perform well in the subject (Nelkon & Ogbon, 1988).

Physics as a course of study is perceived to be experimental, the understanding of practical aspect may help students to learn physics concepts. The educational objectives of physics education cannot be fully realized if student’s performance in both physics theory and practical are not balanced (Aina, 2011).

For the mere fact that physics has been severally labeled as the most conceptually difficult subject, particularly the practical aspect of the subject, it is important to explore the underlying difficulties that might impede quality learning in the subject, in the context of Nigerian school environment. The aim of this study is to identify problems associated with conducting effective physics practical in senior secondary schools in Sokoto metropolis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to make a critical appraisal of the problems hindering the conduct of physics practical and advance suggestion that will enhance the effectiveness, and efficiency of the conduct of physics practical in senior secondary schools within Sokoto metropolis.

A close look at the ways physics practical is handled in most of our secondary schools indicate that probably students were made to merely see physics as a collection of rules. However, it is assumed that proper conduct and involvement of students in physics practical has became less valued, physics students are likely to be passive listeners even in the laboratory, as they watch teachers carry out the teaching theoretically or carry out demonstration or experiments (Anele, 2011).

Other assumed problems may include that students are not encouraged to consider practical work useful for the development of scientific skills and attitudes. Another problem confronting the learning and conduct of physics practical in schools is the lack of equipment and facilities and their inadequacy (in some case) which hinder the effectiveness of learning physics in schools (Jegede & Okebukola, 1995; Nwaokolo, 1998; Anikweze, 2000; Anele, 2001).

Allocation of time to physics practical in school lesson time table is insufficient, activities to be undertaken therefore suffer. This constitutes an enormous problem to the proper conduct of physics practical in school (Mistler, Dackson & Butler, 2000; Polman, 2000).

Physics teachers stress is another problem confronting the conduct of physics practical in schools. A stress results when the teacher’s experience is unpleasant, given rise to tension, frustration, anger, anxiety, and depression, poor working conditions resulting from lack of practical equipments for conducting effective physics practical have been identified as the source of stress in some part of the world (Akpan, 2001). This is not a unique case in the Nigerian context. Physics teachers in Nigeria find these poor working condition stressful (Jegede & Okebukola, 1995).

Other problems encountered by students in conducting physics practical in senior schools include:

1. Lack of good practical supervision
2. Lack of practical manuals.
3. Inadequate qualified physics teachers in secondary schools.
4. Lack of motivation
5. Poor laboratory condition
6. Poor physics practical apparatus
7. Problems in setting apparatus
8. Problem in relating physics practical with physics theory.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to identify the Challenges of Students in Conducting Effective Physics Practical in Senior Secondary Schools. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To identify the problems facing students in conducting effective physics practical in senior secondary schools.
2. To find out the possible solutions to the problems facing students in conducting effective physics practical in senior secondary school.
3. To find out the relationships between insufficient physics practical equipments and the conduct of effective physics practical in senior secondary schools.

1.4 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there relationships between insufficient physics practical equipments and the conduct of effective physics practical in senior secondary schools?
• What are the problems facing students in conducting effective physics practical in senior secondary schools?
• What are the possible solutions to the problems facing students in conducting effective physics practical in senior secondary school?

1.5 Significance of Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.6 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Challenges of Students in Conducting Effective Physics Practical in Senior Secondary Schools using Delta Career College, Warri as a case study.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:

1. Time Constraint:

   The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.

2. Establishment Policies:

   Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.

3. Financial Constraint:

   Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

4. Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents:

   A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.