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