This study is concerned with the persistent underperformance of secondary school students in Nigeria in physics. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase one was a survey of difficult concepts in physics, while phase two explored the potency of culturo-techno-contextual approach (CTCA) in breaking the barriers to meaningful learning of refractive indices, which ranked the most difficult concept in phase one of the study. A total of 1621 SS3 students from Nigeria and Ghana participated in the survey phase. The second phase employed a mixed-methods approach (quasi-experimental and interviews) with a total of 205 SS1 students. The control group was taught with the lecture method and had 96 students (54 males; 42 females), while the experimental group, taught with CTCA, had 109 students (65 females; 44 males). Both groups had a pretest and posttest using the achievement test in refractive indices; treatment lasted four weeks. Data gathered in the survey were analyzed using mean rank analysis, and refractive indices was perceived as the most difficult to learn. Phase two data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA since intact classes were used. The result obtained showed that the experimental group performed better (mean for experimental = 15.49; control 11.97; F (1, 202) = 64.48; p < 0.01)) than the control group. Implications of the study are highlighted and the need for further studies is recommended.
Student’s learning in physics takes many forms. Equations, diagrams, graphs and words all can be used to describe physical phenomena. Constructing descriptions of physical situations with these representations and focusing on their correct usage led to this study which investigated physics students’ knowledge of multiple representations and problem-solving abilities using multiple representations learning strategy and problem-solving learning strategy as an intervention. The pretest-posttest, control group quasi-experimental design with a 3x2x3 factorial matrix was used. A total of 294 Senior Secondary School-two (SSII) Physics students selected from six purposively sampled co-educational schools in Education Districts V of Lagos State formed the sample. Test of Knowledge of Multiple Representations Abilities in Projectiles and Equilibrium of forces (TKMRA-PE), Multiple Representations Abilities Assessment Instrument (MRAI) and Problem-Solving Assessment Instrument (PSAI). The reliability coefficient of the TKMRA-PE, MRAI, and PSAI were 0.83, 0.75 and 0.70 respectively. Data gathered were subjected to statistical techniques of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significant. Findings from the results showed significant effect of multiple representations learning strategies on problem-solving abilities; F (2, 291) = 4.440; p< 0.05, Ƞ2 =0.030. The descriptive statistics revealed the magnitude of problem-solving abilities across the groups. Students exposed to multiple representations learning strategy had the highest problem-solving abilities (x= 3.83), than their counterparts in problem-solving learning strategy( x = 29.4), and those conventional strategy group had the least problem-solving abilities(x =22.3). The finding showed that irrespective of gender and ability level, multiple representations and problem-solving strategies facilitate learning and should be recommended for teaching and learning of physics in senior secondary schools in Nigeria.
This study determined the extent to which ICT resources are adequately provided and utilized by computer science lecturers for instructional delivery in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Thirty science educators were randomly selected from the faculties of science and science and technology education in two universities in Lagos state. Teacher’ utilization of ICT resources questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using bar chart and percentage. The finding shows that ICT resources are not adequate and many of the educators rarely use the available ICT resources for relevant instructional delivery. Suggestions were made for improvement.
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