Effect of hands-on activities on students’ performances in the teaching of selected topics in biology

Abstract

In the scope of this study, the focus was geared towards evaluating the impact handson activities have on the students‘ performances on selected topics in biology. An Action research was selected as the research design for the study with the inclusion of a quantitative and qualitative study as its research design. The study chose Queen of Peace Senior High School as its study area. A total of 45 students together with 9 teachers were adopted as the sample for the study using a convenient sampling method. With intense data collection procedure which use achievement tests and questionnaire for students and teachers respectively, the study outlined that hands-on activities have a significant impact on the academic performances of students. The study used t-test, mean and standard deviation as statistical tools to answer the research questions. This means that, the low performances of students in biology in some parts of the country can be significantly attributed to their lack of participation in hands-on activities. More so, the study achieved a positive attitude of students towards hands-on activities as compared to theory based class. Also, the study identified that through the introduction of Hands-on activities, the acquisition of process skills by students improved significantly as compared to when they were taught abstractly. More so, teachers outlined, inadequate funds, delay in the release of funds, non-existence of laboratory technicians and assistance as well as lack of knowledge to operate sophisticated laboratory equipment as the main challenges that obstruct the implementation of hands-on activities in the sampled school. This in contrast to other studies illustrate that, the case is the same across the country. In view of this, the study recommends that further research must be conducted on the impact of facilitators‘ knowledge on the conduct of hands-on work.