Abstract:
Students in University Practice North Campus JHS in Effutu Municipal were not motivated
by the methods of teaching adopted by their Integrated Science teachers. This study therefore
exploited the use of computer simulation to improve upon teaching and learning of Integrated
Science among students. It was an Action Research where quasi-experimental design was
adopted. Three research questions were raised to direct the study. The sample size of eighty eight (88) was made up of all JHS 2 students of University Practice North Campus School.
Convenience sampling technique was adopted in the selection of the students to form the
sample for the study. Five class tests, an observational checklist and opinionnaire were used
for data collection. The descriptive statistical method was used in data analysis. It was found
out that students performed poorly in Integrated Science when they were taught lessons using
traditional method and they also had negative attitude towards teaching and learning of
Integrated Science when traditional method was used to teach them. The results revealed
that, students understood the selected topics better when they were taught lessons using
computer simulations. The study revealed further that the use of the computer simulation had
improved students’ performance and enhanced their attitude in teaching and learning of
Integrated Science. The implication for teaching and learning was that computer simulation
support system made science classroom more realistic as students were actively involved;
since students observed things in their natural forms. Therefore Integrated Science teachers
should be equipped with the ICT skills to enable them to use computer simulations to teach
more topics in Integrated Science. This would enhance teaching and learning of Integrated
Science at the JHS level
Description:
A Thesis in the Department of SCIENCE EDUCATION, Faculty of
SCIENCE EDUCATION, Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
University of Education, Winneba in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for Award of the Master of Philosophy (SCIENCE
EDUCATION) Degree.
JULY, 2015