COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SIMULATION AND DEMONSTRATION METHODS ON STUDENT'S ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN BASIC TECHNOLOGY

Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

There is a rapid development in the world today and every Nation strives to meet up with the requirement needed. She does so through science and technology. Science and technology education therefore became the factory that produces technologists, technicians, craftsmen and skilled artisans who are required to change the economy of any nation. Basic technological skills acquisition are necessary for nations to cope with the present today challenges.

Avaa (2007) pointed out that technology advancement can elevate Nigeria nation from a consumer to a producer and from developing to a developed nation. Ali (2001) defined technology as the successful application of scientific ideas, principles, laws and theories, for the purpose of developing techniques for and or providing goods and services. It is through technology that appliances such as computers, televisions, refrigerators, fan, vehicles, airplanes etc. are invented. Ali went furthers to state that science benefits technology while technology enhances the understanding of science. The contributions of science and technology to overall development of all nations cannot be emphasized. This is the reason science holds an important position in the curriculum of Nigerian educational system.

In Nigeria, science teaching and learning are emphasized in the National Policy on Education (FME, 2008). In order to inculcate the necessary scientific knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes in various development: strategies such as World Declaration on Education for Ail (EFA) are put in place in Nigeria educational system. Other strategies like the NEEDS (National Economic Empowerment goals) of MDGS (Millennium Development Goals) are put in place in orders to meet these goals. Nigeria began to update the existing curriculum to cater for the needs of the nation who is aspiring to be among the first 20 economist in the world by the year 2020. Basic technology education became the best avenue to meet the global challenges facing Nigerian Nation. Adesoji and Olatanbosun (2008) stated that it was as a result of the recognition given to basic technology in the development of the individual and the nation that it was made a core-subject among sciences and science- related courses in Nigerian education system.

Basic technology is a course of study introduced in the year 2007 into the Primary and Junior Secondary School levels of the 9-3-4 system of education presently practiced in Nigeria. It is an amalgamation of many subjects. These subjects include; electrical/electronics, metal work, simple mechanics, wood work, technical drawing, food processing, rubber and plastic technology by the Federal Government of Nigeria (2009). However, the purposes of pre-vocational training given to students at the Primary and Junior Secondary School levels are: introduction into the world of technology towards interest arousal and choice of a vocation at the end of Junior Secondary School and professionalism later in life; exposing students to career awareness by exploring usable options in the world of work; and enabling youths to have an intelligent understanding of the increasing complexity of technology, (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2007). As Comparative Education Study and Adaptation Center (2007) puts it, the objectives include:

1. To provide pre-vocational orientation for further training in technology.
2. To provide basic technology literacy for everyday living and
3. To stimulate creativity (p. vii).

In order to achieve these objectives, the syllabus and the course books are structured and written in ways that would require the use of tools and equipment in appropriate environment. Such appropriate environment may be found especially in the laboratory or workshop.

Basic technology is an indispensable pre-vocational base on which future vocational choices are made. In their separate works, Ezeji S. C. (2004), Nwachukwu, C. E. (2006), Ogwo and Oranu, R. N. (2006) and Okoro O. M. (2006) all established that pre-vocational training requires same facilities and similar curriculum components as will be required in the real vocation, though at introductory levels. These components include; general education, theory and related courses, workshop practice, industrial training/production work, and small business management and entrepreneurial training.

The quality and quantity of practical experience gained by junior secondary school pupils in basic technology is predicated on the availability of facilities and the management of such facilities. Okoro O. M. (2006) pointed out that a good quality programme is housed in physical facilities which are adequate, well − planned and properly directed to provide realistic education. UNESCO (2001) had stressed that for quality assurance in technological development to be achieved; responsible national authorities should establish criteria and standards, subject to periodic review and evaluation, to be applied to all aspects of technical and vocational education. Such criteria and standards should include physical facilities, buildings, libraries, workshop layout, quality and type of equipment, as well as safety measures meant to create a conducive learning environment. Such a recommendation requires planning of workshop facilities to enhance instructional activities and subsequent achievement of the objectives of setting up the programme.

Some author (Olatoge and Atuwape (2004), Adesoji and Ogini (2012) blamed the poor achievement in basic technology to the poor academic background of students in Basic sciences taught at the Junior secondary schools classes (JSS 1-3) level. The main aim of teaching is to transfer knowledge to the learners. For effective teaching and learning to take place, the teacher needs to use different methods and techniques in teaching. Unfortunately poor basic technology achievement has been attributed to poor teaching methods used by teachers (Zimmerman in Nbina (2010), Angela and Ugwuegbulam (2011) and Rasari (2004). The present Nigeria basic technology classroom does not provide the fun, hands- on, challenging, interactive and collaborative environment needed by new generation of students who have be exposed to internet, computer usage, hand-set and other sophisticated gargets. The problem of this nature can only be solved by the use of simulation.

Simulations are tools that facilitate learning through representation and practice in a repeatable, focused environment (Aldrich 2004).

According to Goldsim (2011) simulation helps to identify and understand factors which control the system and or to predict the future behaviour of the system. Simulation programmes can be applied to chemistry by providing real life settings for the application of chemical concepts. Simulation includes role plays, games, computer programs that encourage students to become active participants in basic technology classroom. Simulation can be inferior substitute, imitating an original or a display of not real behaviours Simulations can be classified in many way:

− Physical simulation: Here the physical object is presented on a screen and the students learn about it.

− Process simulations: Processes that are not visible can be demonstrated using process simulations.

− Procedural simulations: Here procedures as follows in order to understand sequence of events.

− Situational Simulations: This has to do with attitudinal and behavioural changes of people. The students use this simulation to explore the effects of different approaches to a problem. (Tippler, 2003)

Simulation has three types namely:

· Live Simulation: This shows human behaviour in real life. Examples is training of soldiers in war games.

· Virtual simulations: Simulation occurs in a computer controlled setting. For example a pilot flying and air craft but is controlled from the control room.

· Constructive simulations: This does not involve humans or equipment but by proper sequencing of events. For example weather changes like wind directions. (Institute of Simulation and Training (IST) University of Florida (2002).

In this thesis life simulation will be used since humans (student) are involved. Simulation in teaching and learning of basic technology helps understanding of abstract and difficult concepts by allowing the students to experiment on the variables that form the concept than demonstration. Computer simulation helps students to develop their own understanding of basic technology concepts over demonstrations. It also helps the students to be independent problem solvers. Chen and Howard (2010) observed that the use of simulations to teach basic technology gives positive results over demonstration time. It is important to determine whether male and female students will benefit equally with the use of simulation in teaching basic technology.

Gender is any physical and behavioural difference between males and females which are social culturally based, (Okeke 2008, Ezeh 2013). Ogunleye and Babajide (2011) observed that science subjects such as basic technology are given masculine outlook by many educationists. That means that women and girls grapple with a lot of discriminations and difficulties (Okeke, 2008). Applying feminist theory in Science Education which stated that by changing the science curriculum and how science is taught with make a significant change on women participation in science. This study will then see the influence of simulation in students’ achievement in senior secondary school basic technology.

Many theorists had advocated for active participation of the learner in the learning process. Vygotsky (1978) emphasized on social interaction as the best ways of learning. To him a child learns better in collaborative activities than when he/she learns alone. Vygosky social theory is applied in this study since simulation involves role plays and computer programs that encourage students to become active participants in the application of basic technology concepts. Students are able to learn better when they have social interaction among themselves and the relevant learning resources. Simulation provides co-operative work skills and cognitive apprenticeship needed in the study of basic technology. The teacher provides simulated experiences which helps in demonstrating concepts to students and makes for the students understanding of the concepts. Many researchers had used simulation successfully.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

In the year 2007, the Universal Basic Education scheme introduced basic technology to replace introductory technology, with a desire to achieve what could not be realized through introductory technology. Same teachers of introductory technology and other workshop staff are used to implement basic technology. Workshops used for introductory technology are still being used for basic technology. According to Toby, (2000), students cannot learn skills of their chosen occupation at maximum efficiency with poor and obsolete equipment, neither will the students develop positive attitudes towards the use of tools and equipment of their trade if the laboratories / workshops are not properly managed and facilities inadequately maintained. Therefore the problem of this study, is to compare and analyze simulation and demonstration methods on student’s academic achievements in basic technology in ogba egbema ndoni lga of rivers state, and put in question, is “How will basic technology workshops be learn to improve the student academic achievement in the secondary schools in Nigeria?

1.3 Purpose Of The Study

The general purpose of the study is to analyze by comparing the two dependent variable simulation and demonstration methods of teaching on students’ its academic achievement in basic technology.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. Analyze the difference in academic achievement of students taught basic technology using simulation method with those taught using demonstration method.
2. Determine the difference in the pre-test and post-test mean scores of students after being taught basic technology with simulation method of teaching.
3. Determine the difference in the pre-test and post-test mean scores of students after being taught basic technology with demonstration method of teaching.
4. Find out the means learning the students appreciate more with understanding.

1.4 Significance Of The Study

This thesis is significant in various ways to various sectors, as will be seen below; it will present in a precise manner, the importance of the simulation and demonstration methods in learning. It is believed that the findings of this research work should provide detailed information on the use of simulation and demonstration methods in obtaining a high student achievements and performance. It is also expected that the study will benefit teachers, basic technology students, researchers and the society in general.

The findings of the study should be useful to teachers. It is expected that the findings will expose the basic technology teachers to the importance of using the various informal and innovative instructional methods (such as the simulation method) which is more of student centered and commercially driven. By this exposure the teachers could acknowledge the advantage over the traditional teaching methods such as demonstration, which is teacher centered. It is possible that by this outcome the basic technology teachers would realistically adjust to the application of simulation method of teaching for effective instruction. In turn, the students would have real focus for better performance and achievements in their studies.

Subsequently, it will go a long way to enhance the basic technology students’ effectiveness in the society by being capable of carrying out what they have learned, thereby contributing to the building up of the society at the local, national and international levels.

The research will also be beneficial to the researcher. This is because the study will expose the researcher to so many related areas in the course of carrying out his research. This will enhance the researcher’s experience, knowledge and understanding on simulation and demonstration methods in learning.

1.5 Scope Of The Study

This thesis will cover the simulation method of teaching, its academic achievements on students, demonstration teaching method, equally with its academic achievements on the students, a comparative analysis of both means and effects of gender on student achievements in basic technology studies. The Study concentrate on areas of design and construction of gadget that offer both theoretical and practical experience to the students. The study will be restricted to only schools (junior secondary school) where basic technology are taught in ogba egbema ndoni lga of rivers state.

1.6 Research Questions

For a better understanding and comprehension of this research thesis, in carrying out this study effectively, the following research questions guided the study.

1. What is the difference in academic achievement of students taught basic technology with simulation method and those taught with demonstration method?
2. What is the effect of simulation on students’ academic achievement in junior secondary school basic technology?
3. Is there any differential effect of simulation on male and female students’ achievement in basic technology?
4. What is the difference in the pre-test and post-test mean scores of the students after being exposed to simulation method of teaching basic technology?
5. What is the difference in the pre-test and post-test mean scores of the students after being exposed to demonstration method of teaching basic technology?

1.7 Research Hypothesis

The researcher formed some of the hypothesis which will be tested to support this study. The hypothesis will be tested at 0.05 level of significance.

The research hypothesis are as follows.

1. There is no significant difference between the mean achievement of students taught basic technology with simulation and those taught using the conventional methods.
2. There is no significant difference between the mean achievement of male and female students in Achievement Test in Simulation (ATIS).