IMPACTS OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT ON BIOLOGY STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL

1.1 Introduction

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 at- tainment of educational goal. Good classroom environment must be well ven- tilated, fully supplied with chairs and desks have adequate spatial arrangement, have sizeable chalkboard, good floors, beautiful walls and lightening (Okeke, 2015). These are subjected to good management in order to encounter a great achievement height of educational set-objectives.

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

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.

In all the sciences, biology geared towards simplifying theoretical content, so as to enhance effective instruction and learning of the subject. Allan, Rob and Jonathan (2000), stated the reason for emphasizing practical activities in biology like a realization of practical; work to be predecessor to real science knowledge. Practical work stimulates learner interest in the science subject they are studying, when they are made to personally engage in useful activities; knowledge obtained through practical; work and experience, promote long term memory that theory alone cannot do, from this reason, it becomes obvious that a learner acquired more in any science lesson, if giving the opportunity to do activities, ranging from manipulating apparatus, classifying, designing, experimenting, hypothesizing to maker inferences and verifying results. Hence, there is an urgent and serious need to justify the exposition of the students biology practical activates as well as studying its effect on student’s achievement in biology. Unfortunately, the ugly situation observed in the majority of our secondary school and students in lack of exposure of the students to practical activities. This contributes to persistent poor performances in biology.

Ambuno, Egunifomi, Osakwe (2008) noted that, with science, the world today wouldn’t have been what it is. Technological advancement has completely changed the world. This has permeated into all spheres of our lives which include communications, health, agriculture, building etc. Exploration of the universe and improvement in conditions of living in our homes, schools, roads etc are all based on science in terms of modern equipment and materials. In fact, with the world changing very fast as a result of human activities and population growth, what may save our planet earth is scientific inquiring for solutions to prevailing problems and those we may face in the future. Some biological research has been carried out by scientists leading to many discoveries in medicine, technology, agriculture and genetics. For further information on the positive impacts of science, Aniodoh (2001) supported the above view which he said that through science and the help of technological know-how, man is able to construct shelter of various kind as dwelling, markets, schools, hospitals etc.

Aniodoh (2001) in his study noted that a sound theoretical and practical knowledge of biology is needed for the management of our natural resources, provision of good health facilities, adequate food supply and favourable life environment. Thus, the teaching and learning of biology has to be encouraged in the school. Aniodoh (2001) also observed that effective teaching and learning require accurate and exact observations, carefulness and thoroughness of technique and logical interpretation of data. He emphasized that practical work is the part of the study of biology and should go hand in hand with theory.

Therefore, in Obio Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impacts of classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school.

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1.3 Statement of Problem

Investigation revealed that classroom teachers become tired of using verbal instruction in attempts to establish effective classroom management, but this method alone does not produce desired results. Many teachers use corporal punishment to instill fear and discipline in the classroom yet there are prevalence of disruptive behaviors in the classroom. A lot of teachers waste time and energy in intensive classroom supervision so that the classroom climate could be conducive for lessons. Some classroom teachers delegates authority to deserving prefects such as time – keeper, noise prefects, class prefects, etc. to share in the responsibility of ensuring a conducive learning atmosphere in the classroom.

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 educa- tional importance to their professional practices.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Impacts of classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school in Obio Akpor L.G.A of Rivers State. 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 determine how the use of instructional supervision could affect students’ academic performance.
3. To find out if classroom management enhance students’ academic performance on biology.
4. To evaluate how delegation of authority to learners could affect students’ academic performance.

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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:

• Are there factors affecting classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school?
• Does the use of instructional supervision affect students’ academic performance?
• Does classroom management enhance students’ academic performance on biology?
• Does delegation of authority to learners affect students’ academic performance?

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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 are no significant factors affecting classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school in Obio Akpor Local Government Area
• H1: There are significant factors affecting classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school in Obio Akpor Local Government Area

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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.

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1.8 Scope of Study

The study focuses on the Impacts of classroom management on biology students academic performance in secondary school in Obio Akpor L.G.A in Rivers 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).

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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.