EFFECTS OF TEACHERS' KNOWLEDGE OF SUBJECT MATTER, UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS IN BIOLOGY

1.1 Introduction

Classroom Management is about creation of positive learning environments. But the concept of positive learning environment is both broad and vague. This classroom management and control deals with how things are prepared. Classroom is the meeting point for both teachers and students where curriculum activities are implemented. Educational objectives cannot be fully achieved without the use of conducive classroom environment. The classroom is characterized by a network of interpersonal relationships directed at the attainment of educational goal. Good classroom environment must be well ventilated, fully supplied with chairs and desks have adequate spatial arrangement, have sizeable chalkboard, good floors, beautiful walls and lightening (Okeke, 2015).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

---

1.2 Background of Study

Classroom management has been highlighted across numerous research studies as a major variable that affects students’ academic performance (Marzono, 2008). The most obvious reason for this assertion is that, effective classroom management sets the stage for teaching and learning. It sets a tone in the classroom that captures students’ attention – as a necessity for effective teaching and learning (Marzono, 2008). This statement is obvious since a classroom which is chaotic and disorganized as a result of poor classroom management is highly unlikely to enhance expansive learning and students’ academic performance and might, indeed, inhibit it. In chaos, according to Idopise (2004), very little academic learning can take place. According to Walter (2006), classroom management differs from one teacher to another because of the teacher’s personality, teaching style, preparedness, and number of students in the classroom.

Biology as one of the science subject is defined as the study of life and structure of living things. Biology is the study of living things and concerns itself with the study of the structure, behaviour, distribution, the origin of plants and animals and their relationship with their environments.

Abugu (2007) stated that biology is a natural science in which we study living organisms – plants and animals. with many problems. The poor classroom management can lead to academic performance of students in biology class as indicated in the report of WAEC and National Teachers Institute (NTI) as well as the result of state common entrance examination has come a persisted public outcry as regards the falling standard of biology study. Biology as Science subjects are before now facing a problem. This is mostly in the area of availability of laboratories, effective classroom management control and other teaching facilities in their right number of students studying science. Biology is very important subject; it has to be given more priority. It enables one to understand himself and his intermediate environment. Nevertheless, the knowledge acquired in Biology subject is applied in many fields as Medicine, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Microbiology and Agriculture among others students’ performance in Biology subject. Various reasons have been attached to this problem by scholars.

Dinah (2013) concluded that, availability of text books, laboratory apparatus, better classroom management control and other learning resources contribute significantly to the performance of students in Biology. He added that, students with positive attitude towards the subject give better performance than those who had a negative attitude. Those with positive attitude are motivates to work hard and this is reflected in the good marks scored in the examination.

According to Akinsanya et al. (2014) control by teacher, parent has the highest significant influence on the academic achievement of students. This is because the child from educated family has a lot of opportunities to study hard due to his/her access to internet, newspaper, television. They can also taught extra lessons at home. Students raised from an illiterate family have limited access to that. It has been observed that the falling academic standard and the influencing factors include the economic status of the teacher and effective classroom control.

Femi (2012) in his study says, socio-economic and education background of teacher is not significant factors in students’ performance.

In this regard, so many writers and researchers have urged educators to move toward broader and more comprehensive positions on issues of classroom management in (Jones, 2006). As Jones advocates, “at its best, classroom management is not only a means to effective instruction, it has also becomes a vehicle for providing students with a sense of community and increased skills in interpersonal communication, conflict management and self control.

Nevertheless, lack of recent empirical evidence has left educators without clear direction and understandings of what knowledge and practices teachers utilize in creating and managing socially complex learning environments. It is as if educators understand the blueprints for a house, but not the tools with which to construct it. As such educators are hampered in their efforts to provide prospective teachers with the appropriate tools to implement their visions for establishing positive learning environment.

Therefore, where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effects of Teachers’ Knowledge of Subject Matter, Utilization of Resources and Classroom Management on the Academic Achievement of Students in Biology.

---

1.3 Statement of Problem

Investigation revealed that the difficulty of novices in dealing with the complexities of teaching and the social immediacy of the classroom is no small issue. This is so because most teachers are constraint by classroom management because of the dynamic nature of teaching. On the other hand, the complexity of classroom setting also impede teaching sequel to the perception by beginning teachers that classroom management is complex. This is an obstacle to effective planning for positive learning environment.

However, an observation has been associated with the non-chalant attitude and teachers’ inabilities to control their classroom in the senior secondary schools’ section, do contribute significantly to the poor performance of students in Biology. It is an obvious and glaring fact that in most of the secondary schools in Nigeria, some teachers teaching this subject do not attach its life and educational importance to their professional practices.

---

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Effects of Teachers’ Knowledge of Subject Matter, Utilization of Resources and Classroom Management on the Academic Achievement of Students. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To investigate the factors affecting classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school
2. To examine the effect of classroom management and control on the academic performance of biology students in Secondary School.
3. To identify the effectiveness of classroom management on student achievement in Secondary School.
4. To find out how classroom management influence development setting in Secondary School.

---

1.5 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 factors affecting classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school?
• What are the functions of the classroom management and control in secondary school?
• How does classroom management influence development setting in secondary school?
• What are the problems militating against Classroom managements in secondary school?
• What is the effectiveness of classroom management on students’ academic performance in secondary school?

---

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There are no significant factors affecting classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school
• H1: There are significant factors affecting classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school

---

1.7 Significance of Study

The result obtained from the study will benefit the following people: Government, Teachers and Students

1. Government: The study will help to motivate the Government to equip secondary schools with necessary practical equipment for the teaching of biology.
2. Teachers: This will assist classroom teachers in the organization of practical that would help to develop skills and knowledge in the students. It will also enable trained teachers to adopt those teaching and learning methods that would aid them in organization of their subjects matter for the students.
3. Students: When students understand more, the importance of biology practical skills, they are equipped to secure employment and this would in no small measure make them contribute meaningfully to the development of the society. Practical method of teaching can also increases the interest of the students to practical works.

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.

---

1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Effects of Teachers’ Knowledge of Subject Matter, Utilization of Resources and Classroom Management on the Academic Achievement of Students in Biology. The study is limited towards secondary school students in Delta Career College in Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State.

---

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

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. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. 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).

---

1.10 Definition of Terms

Classroom: Classroom is the meeting point for both teachers and students where cur- riculum activities are implemented.

Biology: Biology is defined as the study of life and structure of living things. Biology is the study of living things and concerns itself with the study of the structure, behaviour, distribution, the origin of plants and animals and their relationship with their environments.

School Management: This is an act of getting things done through planning, organizing, coordinating and monitoring school activities in order to achieve the school goal.

Classroom Management: This is planning and setting of rules procedures, disciplinary interventions and teacher-student Relationships in schools.