USE OF MODELS AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE IN BIOLOGY IN OBIO/AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

This study investigated the use of models by teachers to facilitate effective teaching and learning of Biology in secondary schools in Obio/Akpor local government area. Three research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Discriptive survey and Quasi-experimental designs were adopted for the study. Using intact classes, 200 SS II students and 56 Biology teachers formed the sample size. Instruments for data collection were Questionnaire on Teachers’ Use of Models (QOTUM) and Biology Performance Test (BPT). Using Cronbach’s Alpha and Kuder-Richardson formula 20 (R-20), reliability coefficient of 0.81 and 0.76 were obtained for QOTUM and BPT respectively. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while student t-test was used to test the only null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Result shows that Biology teachers do not utilize models to facilitate the effective teaching and learning of Biology in secondary schools. The use of models enabled students participate effectively in the teaching/learning process of Biology in secondary schools. Also there was significant difference in the academic performance of students taught with models and those that are taught without models in favour of those taught with models. It was recommended among others that Biology teachers should ensure that models are used whenever necessary in the teaching of Biology.