Effect of hands-on activities on students' performance in acids, bases and salts a study at Ye Senior High School

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hands-on activities on the performance of students in acids, bases and salts. The design used for the study was action research. Fifty students were sampled using the purposive sampling technique. Teacher-made-test (pre-test and post-tests) and questionnaire were instruments used to collect the data. Four research questions guided the study. Pre-test and post-test were used to assess students’ performance before and after the intervention respectively. The test was also used to determine students’ acquisition of science process skills after the intervention. Furthermore, questionnaire were used to determine students’ perceptions of hands-on instructional approach. Intervention strategies with regards to hands-on approach were implemented within 4 weeks. Findings obtained from the study revealed that senior high school students had conceptual difficulties in acids, bases and salts. It also came to light that students’ performance was enhanced after the implementation of hands-on activities. It was also discovered that there was a significant improvement in students' science process skills (measuring, observation, manipulation, and recording). Majority of students found the hands-on method engaging, enhancing participation, understanding, and retention of scientific concepts. It was therefore, recommended that science teachers should make sure that students’ difficulties in science concepts are identified before appropriate interventions are implemented. Also, the school authorities should provide enough teaching and learning materials to facilitate hands-on method of teaching science to enhance the skills acquisition of senior high school students. Further training programs are required to plan and develop for both teachers and their students in hands-on method of teaching to provide a better perception of students on the use of the hands-on approach in teaching science concepts.