LABORATORY MANAGEMENT AND ITS EFFECT ON STUDENTS' LEARNING PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY

1.1 Introduction

The use of laboratories to be effective requires the best management. The existence of a laboratory is very dependent on its management. A laboratory in a school is important for a school to improve the quality and quality of student education. With a laboratory, it is hoped that students can more easily understand the material being studied while doing the practice. Science Laboratory Management is a valuable field of science in an effort to improve students or students to improve the quality of education and teaching. Science is all around us. Ofuebe (2007), defined science as a dynamic human activity concerned with understanding of the working of our world. Ali (2002) believes that the word science stands for a variety of information, abilities and operations about the natural environment.

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

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 make 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.

Opul, Ezeh and Ezemagu (2008) reported that much stress has been placed upon practical work for there is no substitute for it, for practical experiment must be the basis of knowledge in biology. Hence, it become imperative at this point to find out the level of academic achievement in biology practical activities, taught to biology students in Enugu, East Government Area Eya, Eze and Ani (2003), and cry about the falling standard of the science education in Nigeria over the years, Researchers have pointed accusing fingers to several factors as being responsible and prominent among these factors is the teacher factor. The neglect of the practical aspect of biology in schools has been blamed on such factors as the inability of the school authorities to provide materials and equipment for practical work, teachers’ failure to recognize the importance of practical work in science teaching.

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. In the light of the above, it should be a general concern of every Nigerian including the researchers to view this backwardness with some seriousness. There is great need to look into the issue of teaching and learning of the core science subjects - biology etc. Biologists usually study all forms of life including ourselves, other animals, plants and microscopic living things such as bacteria which is too small to see with our naked eyes. Biology is needed in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, food technology etc.

Aniodoh (2001) 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 Enugu East Local Government Area where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Laboratory Management and It’s Effect on Student Learning Performance in Biology.

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1.3 Statement of Problem

Investigation revealed that not much attention has been giving to the performance of the students in senior secondary school subjects most especially in biology and biology practical aspect of biology in schools has been blamed on such factors as the inability of the school authorities to provide materials and equipment for practical work, teachers failure to recognize the importance of practical work in science teaching.

According to Anidodoh (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 schools. Moreover, this neglect, no doubt has relegated these subjects to the background in our senior secondary certificate examination. A close look at the 2008 – 2010 SSCE result records confirms that student’s performance has been very poor generally and particularly in biology practical, failure is a great problem as it will effect the students performances in science senior secondary school; that is why the researchers have decided to look into the cause and effects of biology practical;. This increasing number of dropouts in the area of the study is a clear pointer to theme.

In the light of the above, it should be a general concern of every Nigerian including the researchers to view this backwardness with some seriousness. There is great need to look into the issue of teaching and learning of the science subjects – biology etc. Biologists usually study are forms of life including ourselves, other animals, plants and microscopic living things such bacteria which is too small to see with our naked eyes. Biology is needed in medicine, nursing, pharmacy food technology etc

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to investigate the Laboratory Management and It’s Effect on Student Learning Performance in Biology. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To find out the challenges in managing laboratory equipment in Enugu state secondary schools
2. To examine if there is biology laboratory in secondary schools in the area under study
3. To find out the effect of laboratory management on the learning outcome of biology in the area under study
4. To investigate strategies that can be used in the management of laboratory equipment so as to aid learning outcome.
5. To know whether there is any significant difference between the mean scores of male and female students taught biology using practical methods.
6. To investigate whether there is any significant difference between the mean scores of urban and rural schools students taught biology using practical methods.

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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:

• Is there any difference in the mean scores of students taught biology using practical and theory methods?
• Is there difference between the mean scores of male and female students taught biology using the practical methods?
• Is there any difference between the mean scores of rural and urban students taught biology using practical method?
• Is there is biology laboratory in secondary schools in Enugu state?
• What is the effect of laboratory management on the learning outcome of biology in Enugu state?
• What are the challenges in managing laboratory equipment in Enugu state secondary schools?
• What are strategies that can be used in the management of laboratory equipment so as to aid learning outcome?

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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 no significant difference in the scores of students taught biology using practical method and those taught using theoretical method
• H1: There is significant difference in the scores of students taught biology using practical method and those taught using theoretical method

Hypothesis Two

• H0: There is no significant difference between the mean academic achievement scores of male and female students taught biology using practical activities.
• H1: There is significant difference between the mean academic achievement scores of male and female students taught biology using practical activities.

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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 Laboratory Management and It’s Effect on Student Learning Performance in Biology using some selected secondary school in Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State as a case study.

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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

Laboratory Management: Laboratory Management is responsible for providing advice and information to scientists on health and safety, particularly on how to carry out risk assessments and on appropriate control measures

Learning Outcome: Learning outcomes are statements of the knowledge, skills and abilities individual students should possess and can demonstrate upon completion of a learning experience or sequence of learning experiences.