ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING DIFFICULTIES IN CHEMISTRY STUDENTS PRACTICAL SKILLS ACQUISITION AT THE SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL

Chemistry practical skills is of often regarded as difficult to acquire, an observation which sometimes repels learners from continuing with studies in chemistry. As a result of this, this research work investigated the difficulties experienced by senior secondary school students in learning practical acquisition skills acquisition. A descriptive survey research method was used for this study in order to obtain detailed factual information. This was achieved with the aid of two instruments namely Questionnaire for students’ opinions on Learning Difficulties in Chemistry Practical Skills Acquisition, Teachers’ questionnaire to find out the Teaching Methodologies employed in Chemistry class and their attitude. One hundred questionnaires were administered on the students and ten questionnaires were also administered on the teachers. Hundred percent of the questionnaires distributed were returned. Analysis of the responses on the questionnaires clearly showed that students experience some difficulties in acquiring chemistry practical skills. The areas of difficulties from the outcome of the study showed that students do not have enough time for their class work and their course materials are not covered most of the time due to broad school curriculum, lack of quality science teachers and possibly large school population. It was also discovered that few science teachers are being employed. The study also established that teacher-related factors also contribute to some of these difficulties. Suggestions are made based on these factors on how to minimize the learning difficulties in chemistry student’s practical skills acquisition at the senior secondary school level.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One: Introduction

1.0       Background to the Study

1.1       Statement of Problem

1.2       Purpose of Study

1.3       Research Questions

1.4       Significance of the Study

1.5       Scope of the Study

1.6       Definition of Terms

Chapter Two: Literature Review

2.1       Learning

2.1.1    Areas of Learning Difficulty in Chemistry Practical Acquisition Skills

2.1.2 Institutional related factors affecting acquisition of Chemistry Practical Skills

2.1.3 Students related factors affecting skill acquisition in Chemistry

2.1.4 Teachers related factors affecting acquisition of skills

2.2       Relevance of Learning Resources in supporting Skill Acquisition

2.3       Reducing Obstacles to Learning

Chapter Three: Research Methodology

3.0       Design of the Study

3.1       Population of the Study

3.2       Sample and Sampling Technique

3.3       Research Instrument

3.4       Method of Data Collection

3.5       Method of Data Analysis

Chapter Four: Results

4.1       Analysis of the Respondents Demography Characteristics

4.2 Analysis of Respondents Perception on Learning Difficulties of Practical Acquisition Skills

4.3       Analysis of the Teachers’ Questionnaire

Chapter Five: Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1       Discussion

5.2       Conclusion

5.3       Recommendations

5.4       Suggestion for further studies

References

Appendix