EFFECTS OF SIMULATION GAMES ON ATTITUDE AND PERFORMANC IN MICROORGANISMS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ZARIA NIGERIA

 CHAPTER ONE

THE PROBLEM

1.1         Introduction

The importance of science as a requirement for technological development cannot be over emphasized. Science is a way of solving problems. The study of science helps us to answer the how, what, where and why of our surroundings. According to Shaibu (2008), science is defined as human activity that leads to the production of a body of universal statements called laws, theories, or hypotheses which serve to explain the observable behavior of the universe or some aspects of the universe. Science is important in the development of a country. It is also the root of economic and technology development. Science helps to eliminate ignorance and superstition among the Populace. .Science and technology are conceived as the two sides of the same coin, technology itself is the result of scientific knowledge (Ochu, 2010). National development cannot take place without emphasis on science and technology.

According to Acquaye in Oboh (2012), today apart from raising man‟s standard of living, science has enabled developed nations to improve on their desire to match the fact of advancement made in industrialized countries in all facets of development. These include health, agriculture, Shelter, communication, transportation, environment and many more. Modern development is no longer possible outside, the frame work of science and technology, hence the need to teach science in schools is in line with this observation. Some states in Nigeria such as Oyo, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto and Kaduna have established special science schools in order to popularize science and make its teaching and learning more effective.

Science generally consists mainly of the three basic science subjects via, biology, chemistry, and physics. According to Obeda (1998) and Oboh (2012), Science has contributed to human civilization by providing.

·                     Information on the care of the human  body

·                     Breakthrough in medical science by the discovery of new drugs and invention of excellent diagnostic method;

·                     Means of prevention and cure of human diseases;

·                     Breakthrough in agricultural techniques and practices, development of improved varieties of crops, control of large number of diseases and pests of agricultural plants and animals.

·                     Breakthrough in field of engineering

·                     Improvement in man‟s environment and supply of basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing as well as recreation, transportation, communication and a host of others. With the aid of science, new machines and processes have been developed, which not only help to improve the quality of living but also enable science itself to open new fields.

According to Usman (2010), Education in science is man‟s attempt of trying to understand the world he lives in for the primary purpose of survival and improvement of the quality of his life. Ukwungu (2004) observed that Science Education in Nigeria has continued to be ineffective in promoting the Socio-economic transformation of our nation. Nworgu (2001) also observed that contrary to the spirit of Science, the Science teachers still teach without the necessary activities needed for proper understanding of the concepts. It becomes necessary therefore, for the teacher to know how Science can be presented through the use of appropriate method of teaching.

Biology is the study of life. It is the science that studies living things and it is therefore very vital to man (Fatubarin, 2003). Biology like any other science subject, uses the scientific method usually characterized by accurate observation, careful analysis and faithful recording among others. The teaching and learning of science by effective use of scientific methods in solving problem, enable the students to develop scientific skills and attitudes.

The Federal Ministry of Education of Nigeria in the revised National Policy on Education (FRN, 2013), stressed the need for the teaching and learning of Science Subjects in Secondary Schools. Biology, English Language and Mathematics are made compulsory as basic Subjects that all Students must offer. This has attracted large enrolment of Students in Biology, compared to other Science Subjects in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, as was stated by Timothy (2013). As a result of this a large number of Students without interest in Biology, study and sit for the Biology examinations, which has led to Poor PerformanceinBiologyattheSeniorSecondarySchoollevel.ThisUnderperformance/Underachiev ement is evident in (Table 1.1), where Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results of Schools in Kaduna State from 2008 to 2012 are outlined below. This Examination results released revealed that there were poor performance of students in Biology especially in 2011 only 41% of the 78,616 candidates that sat for the WASSCE. May/June passed the examinations. The remaining 57% Failed, of those that sat for the Examination.

Table 1.1:         Analysis of SSCE result of science subject in Kaduna state between 2008 – 2012

Source: WAEC Office, Lagos (2014)

The need and importance of biology as a subject cuts across all aspects of human life. Biology is one of the three Science Subjects in Nigerian Educational Curriculum. It is the study of living things and how they interact with one another, and their environments. For students to function proficiently in biology and effectively in the modern society, then attention has to be given to theSecondary School Biology education, which plays a prominent role in the future careers of students (Amoo& Rahman, 2004).

Academic Performance according to Njoku (2013) is the measure of what a Learner has comprehended over a period of time during the Teaching-Learning Process. Performance is the Sum total of the number of Tests given. Level of performance is attained after being examined on a number of given Tests. Such tests are given after series of instruction and training. This poor performance of students in Biology is of major concern to all and especially those on the mainstreams of science Education in Nigeria (James, 2000). Several factors that led to poor performance in Biology at Senior Secondary School have been researched by various authors, among them was Nwosu (2004) who studied biology students and found out that teaching strategy can also influence the performance of students, positively or negatively. Examination result released from 2008 to 2012 by WAEC revealed that there were poor performance of students especially in 2011 only 41% of the 78,616 candidates that sat for the WASCE May/June passed the examinations. The remaining 57% failed, of those that sat for the examination. (See Table 1.1).Isah (2011) observed that many science students experience difficulty in science courses due to lack of understanding of the method and process of science.

Attitude is a way of feeling, thinking or behaving. Pearson (2003) reported that attitude is a way of feeling, thinking or behaving towards a particular thing. Once the attitude of a student is known, suitable instructional materials can be devised to meet the interest of the student. In this study therefore, attitude deals with the interest, aspiration and behavior exhibited by secondary school students towards the studying and learning of biology. Positive attitude is described as interest which influences choice of subject, particular activities or areas in a given subject area. Attitudes have both perceptual and affective components. A child may acquire certain attitudes about a particular subject through the parents, teachers and adults.

Gender is another variable in this study. Gender is the state of being male or female (with reference to social or cultural differences). The role of gender in academic Performance has led a lot of Researchers to carry out studies on it. According to Ezeliora (2004), gender difference in science can be attributed to the fact that, from birth the girl child is exposed to avoid science. The societal set up did not give her the opportunity to experience the environment which is the pre-requisite to learning of science; rather, she is kept in doors to do the house work, while her brother is left, to explore the environment. Several Studies have shown that one of the variables affecting learning in general and Science in particular is gender. According to Ishaya (2003), they stated that females are not only under-represented in science but their levels of achievement in Science and Technology is low compared to their male counterpart. Evidence

Evidence of gender differences in science (Seeappendix ix, Table 4 item 1.3.3) Gender balance in Chief examiner‟s reports. From 2009-2013, percentages of females to male, are 62.8, 59.6, 57.8, 57.3 and 55.5 while for males they are 37.2, 40.4, 42.2, 42.7 and 44.5. That is to say, that females are enrolling in larger numbers in science than males. In 2011 females performed better than males with more ABC grades of 61.8% while male was 55.5% failure for females. For females, 3.0 and for males it was 4.7 (Chief Examiner‟s Report, 2011 Table 10). i.e. comparison of Achievement by lettered grade between female and male students.

It is therefore based on this, the study attempts to use the effects of Simulation game Strategy to investigate if Attitude and Performance in Biology among Senior Secondary Schools, has any gender difference.

The desire to improve science through more effective instructional strategies and the increasing awareness in recent years of learner- centeredness has led to selecting other teaching methods like Simulation games strategy and Lecture Method for study on their effectiveness. Meaningful learning and teaching of scientific and technological development nee