TOPIC

IMPROVING SHS TWO STUDENTS’

ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LEARNING
OF SCIENCE USING PRACTICAL
ACTIVITIES IN AME ZION GIRLS’

C H AP T E R O N E

INTRODUCTION
This chapter discusses the reason that prompted the researcher to

under take the study. The problems that the researcher observed

about the students, the purpose of the study, the significance of the

study, the researcher questions for the study, and some limitations

of the study and abbreviations.

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Over the past several years, I have had students in my junior classes who were not
performing well and did not seem to understand the importance of quality class work and
homework. The students’ study skills were not evolved to the point where they could be
successful in college or the workplace. I wanted the students to understand that they
needed to take on the responsibility for learning and acquiring new skills which is
expected in college work and in today’s changing and evolving workplace.
Metacognition and motivation by the students for new study skills are important to me as
a teacher. I want to enable students to succeed beyond high school by teaching them
skills that will transfer to college and to the workplace. My hope is that the students will
take on the responsibility for their own learning – that they would realize they have
control over their actions.

The success or failure of students’ educational progress depends

much on the attitude of the learners towards that discipline of study.

Though a teacher might possess all the necessary experiences and

qualifications that will be necessary and sufficient for classroom

teaching and learning he might not be able to make an impact on

learning if the students themselves do not have the right attitude to

appreciate his /her effort and commit themselves to that study.

The few months I spent in the classroom as a science teacher in

AME Zion Girls Senior High School at Winneba, made me aware that

the students lacked the opportunities of practical activities in the

school. Most students developed lackadaisical attitude to the

subject. They had wrong perception for science claiming that

science is a difficult subject and was meant for pure science

students only even though integrated science forms part of the core

subjects of the syllabus.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Science in its integrated form is a knowledge needed at all levels of

life both at home and at workplace. It is therefore studied

compulsorily in all Ghanaian Basic and Secondary Education and

examined by WAEC.

The actual problem is that often provision is not made for students

to undertake practical work. The study sought to verify the

existence of this problem by improving students’ attitude to science

by integrating practical activities such as experimental learning,

group work, experiential learning and techniques in teaching.

P U RP O S E O F T H E S T U D Y
The purpose of this research is to provide an intervention to improve

students’ attitude to science using practical skills in the study of

science. It will also show how experiential learning helps individuals to generate

understanding and transfer knowledge in a manner different from the traditional didactic method of teaching

where teachers simply transfer knowledge upon their students. Experiential learning allows students to

engage their own experiences and reflect upon those experiences to further synthesize and analyze

information.

In a ‘learning by doing’ atmosphere individuals can strengthen their skills in a meaningful way that helps to

promote life-long learners. Group work and ICT (multimedia presentation) can be

used to improve students’ attitude to science.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study provides information about practical teaching activities

such as ICT to improve students’ attitude to science.

The result of this study is hoped would contribute toward a clear

understanding and knowledge of what is actually happening in

respect to students’ attitude towards science in senior high school.

RESEARCH QUESTION

The following research questions will guide the study;

I. T o w h a t e x t e n d c a n t h e a t t i t u d e o f s t u d e n t t o w a r d s c i e n c e

be improved through ICT?

 II. What type of teaching and learning materials may be used

to improve students’ attitude towards the learning of

science?
III. To what extent does the school encourage the learning of

science?

IV. How adequately is the school equipped in textbook and

other necessary materials for the learning and teaching of

science?

V. Will the use of rewards improve the attitude of the

students to science?

VI. Will the formation of science clubs and involvement of the

pupils in club activities improve the attitude of the

students toward science?

LIMITATION

A study of this nature is not devoid of limitation. This section

therefore outlines the limitations to guide future researches.

In this study there was a problem with using large sample of

students due to very limited time, space and period for the

research.

This resulted in random sampling for the selection of the one

hundred and thirty students this would have been avoided if

possible.