Using computer assisted instructions to improve students competencies in specimen identification, biological drawing and labeling

Abstract

The successes of students in biology in the West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations over the years have been very discouraging. Studies have specified that this is partly due to the poor knowledge of students in biological drawings, labeling and identification of specimen. Indications in the literature revealed that biological drawings labeling and identification could be used to facilitate students’ learning. This study, therefore, evaluated the knowledge of biological drawings, labeling and identification possessed by Senior High School students in Winneba Senior High School. Action research method was employed. The population for the study was all Biology students in Winneba Senior High School. A sample of 35 Biology students were used for the study. The instruments used were questionnaire, observation, interview and tests. The research was conducted in three phases, the pre- intervention phase, the intervention phase and the post- intervention phase. Three research questions were answered. Findings of the study showed that: students possessed poor of biological drawings, labeling and identification and the use of CAI was able to improve the competencies of the sampled students. The study concluded that Students’ drawing skills were improved, in that, there were no more shading, there was a reduction in the use of wavy and double lines, the correct pencils were used and also students were able to make proportional drawings. The labeling skills of students’ were also improved. Label lines were neatly drawn with rulers, label lines were no longer having arrow and label lines were not crossing each other. Students’ identification skills were also improved, they were able to identify specimen easily and faster. It was recommended that teachers should make themselves available to new technologies such as Computer- Assisted Instruction and other computer software in other to be abreast with time. They should always be around to supervise students when they are using computers to learn because some students may do something else with the computer rather than learning.