PROBLEMS OF TEACHING BIOLOGY PRACTICAL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary (2000) defined “problem” as a thing that is difficult to deal with or to understand effectively.
Oxford advanced learner dictionary (2000) defined practical as an idea, a method or a course of action, right or sensible, likely to be successful.
Practical work is very essential to the effective teaching of biology in schools. Everybody will be able to participate more effectively in any life situationcan speak out on questions that involve both biology principles and human welfare, such knowledge will out come not from bookwork, but from practical application of the materials learnt to real life situation.
As Nigeria tries to make a mark in technical development, the teaching of biology has advocated for in recent times by the Federal Government. This is because of the realization that biology and technology where the bed rock from which developed industrialized countries of the world evolved.
All other aspects of human life revolve around science that is to say without biology all aspects of life will be meaningless. Biology is quite interesting in advanced countries of the world where practical work is given the priority and students are able to see for themselves what is taught in the class.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Science learning is expected to produce individuals that are capable of solving their problem as well as those of the society. Such individuals are expected to be autonomous, confident and self reliant. Science and technology constitute the basis of advancement in nearly all fields of human endeavors. Obiekwe (2008) reported that all is not well with science instruction in Nigerian secondary schools, and noted that science teaching lays extreme emphasis on content and the use of “chalk and talk” method neglecting the practical activity method which enhances teaching and learning. This negligence and ‘shy-away’ attitude from activity oriented- method of teaching has led to abstraction which makes the students less active and more prone to rote memorization. Based on this, the Federal Government of Nigeria is emphasizing “the teaching and learning of science process and principles which will lead to fundamental and applied research in the sciences at all levels of education” (FRN, 2004: 29). A lot has been done to improve science teaching in secondary schools in Nigeria. In spite of that, students continue to perform poorly in science subjects, of which biology is one. This situation has created the need for more effective teaching method.
