Effect of computer simulation on JHS two students’ performance in science in University Practice School, Winneba

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.