SCHOOL AND TEACHER FACTORS AS PREDICTOR OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT IN PHYSICS
ABSTRACT
This project work was undertaken to
investigate school and teachers factors as predictor of academic performance of
secondary school in physics in Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The
study examines school and teachers factors as predictor of academic performance
in physics which includes adequate of qualified teachers, availability of
school library, and availability of reading corners.
The
study is significance to government, school, administrations, parents, and
teachers in improving the level of science / physics teaching and academic
performance of students in our out post primary institution. It is hope that the
finding of the study will help to reduce totally the problems faced in teaching
and learning of physics in secondary schools as well as elevating performance
in physics.
It
is the belief of the researcher that the findings of this study will constitute
useful data for future research. It is also of significance to policy maker
especially in curriculum planning, science development and evaluation for our
schools.
The
project enable government to be alive to its responsibility of putting in place
those teachers and school factors that will enhance the performance of students
in physics.
Recommendations were therefore made
to the appropriate authorities to provide and maintain and Government should
provide adequate instrument for teaching physics to enhance the promotion of
learning among pupils towards improved yearly performance and daily use.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Certification
Approval Page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE:
Introduction
Background to the Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Significant of the Study
Delimitation of the Study
Definition of Terms
CHAPTER TWO: Review of Related Literature
Definition of Physics
Concept of physics and its importance
Teachers’
Attitude and Quality of Learning Physics
Method of Teaching Physics
The Important of School Facilities on
Physics Teaching and
academic Performance
School Location and Student’s
Academic performance in Physics
Teaching Physics
Laboratory Adequacy and Students’
Academic performance in Physics
Practical Classes and Student
Academic performance
Summary of the Literature Review
CHAPTER THREE:
Research Methodology
Research Design
Population
Sample and Sampling Techniques
Instrumentation
Validation of Instrument
Reliability of the Instrument
Procedure for Data Collection
Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: Result and Discussion
Data Analysis
Socio – Demographic Characteristic
Discussion
CHAPTER FIVE: Summary,
Conclusion and Recommendation
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendations
Limitation of the study
Suggestion for further Research
REFERENCE
APPENDIX
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Science and technology have long been
recognized as instruments per excellent for nation building and every country
today craves for development ( Nwagbo, 2010).
Science has become such an indispensable tool that
no nation, developed or developing, wishing to progress in the socio-economic
sphere will afford to relegate its learning in schools. The role of science in
this modern era of technology is wide and profound. In line with this
reasoning, emphasized the importance of scientific knowledge in boosting
national prestige, military might, national income and international rating of
the country. In the words of, “Physics is the most utilized basic science
subject in most technology and technology- related profession”. This merely
indicates that the enormous role that Physics plays in the technological growth
of any nation must not be undermined. In spite of the great emphasis on Physics
teaching because of its central role in technological advancement, students are
observed to perform poorly in academic achievement in the subject.
Physics is very interesting and one of
the best science in the world. There is no gain saying about the fact that
physics occupies a very sensitive position in physical science and related
discipline. This informs several efforts geared toward studying physics at
higher secondary level of education. Hence, it is one of the science subjects
one must pass so as to qualify to offer some science courses at tertiary level
of education. It is however, very disheartening and heart breaking that despite
the key role and much emphasis, being laid on physics, students at higher
secondary school level of education are still performing woefully in this
subject has being an issue of great concern to stake holders in education, most
especially those in the field of science. This has been attributed to myriad of
factors such as poor parenting, poor attitude of students towards their studies
Physics
which is a branch of pure science is introduced into the curriculum content of
secondary schools because of its educational value, relevant to the need of the
individual learner and society as a whole (Ogunleye, 2012). Physics is a human
endeavor that relies on basic qualities like activity, weight, recording and
skills.
The school and teacher’s factors
which influence the academic performance of students in physics are the
classroom, libraries, quality and quantity of physics teachers, the
availability or non - availability of facilities, teaching aids school
management, teaching methods, environment and the location of the school.
Nigeria
national objectives, as stated in the national policy on education federal ministry
of education (2011), are geared towards self realization, better human
relationship, individual and national utility as well as towards social,
cultural, economics, political, scientific and technological growth. To
accomplish these objectives, it is stated in section 10 of the policy that
federal and state governments shall maintain and adequately fund the
inspectorate and education. Indeed, the relevance of science to national goals,
aspirations and economy dictates, to a large extent, the huge commitment and
support which most nations make and give to science and technological
development (Olagunju, 2010).
Physics
is commonly viewed as the “center science” as mastery of its concepts regarding
the structure of matter is prerequisite to further study in all sciences.
These
school factor remain important area that should be studied and well managed to
enhance student performance in physics.
In essence, physics performs the
function of gate keeper for the future study of both pure and applied science,
medicine, pharmacy, engineering, agricultural and all other professions at the
secondary school level.
The
selected factors therefore include school location, school type, laboratory
adequacy and frequency of practical classes.
The
issue of poor performance of students in physics in Nigeria secondary schools
has been of much concern to the government, parents and even students
themselves. The quality of physics do not only depends on the teacher as
reflected in the performance of their duties, but also in the effective
coordination of the school factors.
The
school factors includes instructional spaces planning, administrative places
planning, teaching methods, location, availability of qualify teachers, school
programme, facilities and as well as the students themselves are essential in
teaching learning process.
According
to Williams, Persuade and Turner (2012), the extent to which student learning
physics could be enhanced depends on their location which the school compounds
the structure of their classroom, availability of instructional facilities and
accessories. It is believed that a well-planned school will gear up expected
outcomes of education that will facilitates good social, political and economic
emancipation, effective teaching and learning process and that of physics
performance of the students.
Glassman
(2013), assert that the physical characteristics of the school have a variety
of effects on teachers, students and the learning process. Poor lighting,
noise, high levels in classrooms and inconsistent temperatures make teaching
and learning difficult. Poor maintenance and ineffective use of school
facilities and teaching aids among school students and teachers lead to poor
performance in the teaching and learning physics in our secondary schools in
Nigeria.
Beyond
the direct effects that poor facilities have on student ability to learn, then
combined with frustrating behaviour by students including poor concentration
which creates a stressful, set of working conditions for lowered teacher
enthusiasm, it is possible that the afore mentioned characteristics of school
factors has an influence on the academic performance of student in physics. The
importance of the above school factors is enormous as succinctly put by Strain
(2012) the success in physics learning is dependent not only on the quality and
intensity of instruction and absence of impediments to learning, but also on
the make up of the teacher methods and materials.
Statement of the Problem
However, despite the relevance of
physics in the field of science subject as a medium of actualization of
millennium technological breakthrough in the country as well as the efforts
made by different scholars, researchers, government at levels of education to
improve the learning of physics in schools, the performance of student in West
African senior school certificate examination and other external examinations
are very appalling, corroborating the above stand point Ogunleye (2011)
reported that only an estimated twenty percent of the population of the country
readily understand physics as an important science subject.
Another problem is that, many school
factors have been significant determinant of academic performance of students
such factors include the qualified and quality of teachers, conducive
atmosphere for learning, students enrolment, availability of teaching aids.
Jegede (2010) in explaining the role of the school facilities stated that it
heightens motivation for learning, making learning move stimulating as well as
intellectual rewarding.
Also we should understand that it is
pertinent to note that the level of academic performance of students in physics
in West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination varies from
school to school, while some schools record some degree of success, to others
records very poor result. This study was therefore an attempt to look at some
school factors that influence the academic performance of student in physics.
Purpose of the Study
The
purpose of this study is to investigate school and teachers factors as
predictor of academic performance of secondary school student in physics in
Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
The
study examines school and teachers factors as predictor of academic performance
in physics which includes adequate of qualified teachers, availability of
school library, availability of reading corners etc.
Research Questions
The following research questions were
raised for the study:
1. Does the availability of school
facilities influences students’ academic performance in physics?
2. Does the school location influences
students in academic performance in physics?
3. Does the academic qualification of
teachers affect the academic performance of students in physics?
Research Hypotheses
1. There is no significant relationship
between the availability of qualified school facilities and students’ academic
performance in physics.
2. There is no significant relationship
between school location and students academic performance in physics?
3. There is no significant relationship
between the qualification of teachers and students academic performance in
physics?
Significant of the Study
The
study will be of much significance to government, school, administrators,
parents, and teachers in improving the level of science / physics teaching and
academic performance of students in our post primary institution. It is hope
that the finding of the study will help to reduce totally the problems faced in
teaching and learning of physics in secondary schools as well as elevating
performance in physics.
Also,
it is the belief of the researcher that the findings of this study will
constitute useful data for future research. It is also of significance to
policy maker especially in curriculum planning, science development and evaluation
for our schools.
The
project will enable the government to be alive to its responsibility of putting
in place those teachers and school factors that will enhance the performance of
students in physics.
Delimitation of the Study
The
study is delimited to the senior secondary school students in Ikere local
government area of Ekiti State.
The study is delimited to examining
the school and teacher factors; as a predictor of student’s academic
performance in physics in the senior secondary schools in Ikere Local
Government Area of Ekiti State.
Definition of Terms
School Factors:
- These are things that influence or affect the performance of students in
various subjects depending on their availability and their effective use.
Academic performance - This refers to the performance of student in physics examination
Secondary school: - is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final
stage of schooling known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a
specified age, take place.
Urban School:
- These are schools located in place where there is availability of modern
conveniences like good and accessible roads, pipe-borne water, electricity Etc.
Rural School:
- These are schools situated in places where there is absence of good road,
pipe-borne water, electricity etc.
