EVALUATING SECONDARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY TEACHERS PERCEPTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOTS THROUGH BLENDED LEARNING

1.1 Introduction

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTs) as the extended use of mind to face new challenges through critical thinking and creative thinking. Both critical thinking and creative thinking are teachable and learnable components of HOTs. On the other hand, Marzano identifies eight variables in HOTs explicitly comparing, classifying, inducing, deducing, analysis, constructing, analyzing perspectives and abstracting (Anderson et al., 2001). Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes that matter undergoes. It is a branch of science which deals with the study of the nature, composition and properties of matter and the changes matter will undergo under different conditions (Akpan, 2016). Chemistry is an experimental science whose study involves exploration of relationship between theory and experiment (Otor, 2013).

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.

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1.2 Background of Study

Teacher's Perception of Values of Education is a detailed practice or conduct of human life consisting of positive and civilized attributes which lead to a high culture in our lives. Noble values are not only to be learned, but also, more importantly, to be understood in order to form a human nature with integrity (Sufean, 1995). Cultivation of noble values is important in the development of the students especially because it is associated with the development of self, personal and family, the environment and the relation to the self and the society.

The factors that affect academic achievement in chemistry have been identified by scholars. According to Usman and Memeh (2012), the factors that negatively affect chemistry achievement include students’ background, their self-efficacy, lack of interest and negative attitude towards chemistry. Teacher related factors like poor teacher preparation, inadequate teacher qualification, inadequate instructional materials and adoption of poor teaching methods also play a role. In Nigeria, efforts are being made by researchers, government and non-governmental organizations to improve cognitive outcomes among chemistry students. Some of these efforts includes organization of conferences, seminars and workshops for both students and teachers, organization of quizzes for students as a motivational approach to learning, equipping the laboratory with modern laboratory equipment’s and facilities among others.

Hamm et al. in Lavy and Schlosser (2007), argued that, “for many students, friendships are critical interpersonal vehicle that move them towards psychological growth and maturity, allowing social compassion which influences the development of self-evaluation”. The above statement suggests strongly, the unprecedented effect of peer group in almost all facet of adolescent’s growth. Such effect could be seen in social and emotional lives of young people, which does not end at the above mentioned, but could also manifest in their attitude towards educational activities and careful consideration of these elements has shown that they reflect in the academic performance of students.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Evaluating Secondary School Chemistry Teachers Perception on the Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning.

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1.3 Statement of the Problem

The study of Chemistry as a subject at the secondary school level helps students in developing basic science skills, knowledge and competence required for problem solving in their environment. It is observed that secondary school students in Nigeria perform very poorly in Chemistry yearly. The dismal achievement of students in Chemistry over the years is a cause of serious concern. WAEC Chief Examiner’s Report (2012-2017) showed consistent poor academic achievement of students in Chemistry over a period of six years. Efforts have been made by educational researchers to improve students’ academic achievement especially in chemistry but adequate attention has not been paid to an affective component of learners such as test anxiety.

The problem of this study, therefore, is the perennial poor academic achievement of secondary school students in chemistry despite robust efforts of teachers and researchers for an improvement. This could be due to the fact that the impact of an affective component of learners such as test anxiety on their academic achievement in the subject has not been examined. Therefore, this study on test anxiety as correlate of chemistry achievement among secondary school students in Imo State is considered imperative. The findings of this study will be of immense benefits to secondary school Chemistry students, Chemistry teachers, parents, administrators, government and future researchers. However, only senior secondary class II students in public secondary schools were involved in the study. Respondent variable is delimited to gender.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to evaluate the Secondary School Chemistry Teachers Perception on the Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the performance of secondary school students in chemistry during Blended Learning
2. To determine the Secondary School Chemistry Teachers Perception on the Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning
3. To determine the relationship between Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning and their chemistry achievement scores
4. To investigate the effect of Peer Pressure Students Academic Achievement in Secondary School Chemistry in Delta State

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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:

• Does poor performance of secondary school students in chemistry caused by Blended Learning?
• Is there any relationship between Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning and their chemistry achievement scores?
• What is the Secondary School Chemistry Teachers Perception on the Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning?
• What are the effects of Peer Pressure Students Academic Achievement in Secondary School Chemistry in Delta State?

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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 is negative impact in Secondary School Chemistry Teachers Perception on the Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning
• H1: There is positive impact in Secondary School Chemistry Teachers Perception on the Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant relationship between Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning and their chemistry achievement scores
• H0: There is significant relationship between Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning and their chemistry achievement scores

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1.7 Significance of Study

The findings of this study will be beneficial to secondary school Chemistry students, Chemistry teachers, parents, administrators, government and future researchers. However, only senior secondary students in Delta State were involved in the 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.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on Evaluating Secondary School Chemistry Teachers Perception on the Development of Higher Other Thinking Skills (HOTS) through Blended Learning in Warri-South District, Delta State.

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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).