ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND LEARNING OF BIOLOGY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND LEARNING OF BIOLOGY

 AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the Influence of Environmental Factors and Learning of Biology Among Secondary School Students in Ukanafun Local Government Area. A survey research design was employed to carry out the study. The population of the study consists of all the students offered Biology as a subject in all secondary schools in the study area. The total population was three thousand two hundred and seven (3207) students. One hundred and fifty (150) students formed the sample of the study and a simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Three research questions and three research hypotheses were postulated to guide the study. The instrument used in gathering the needed data for the study was the researcher’s made questionnaire called “Environmental Factors and Learning of Biology Questionnaire (EFLBQ). The data collected was analyzed using chi-square statistical method the result of the findings revealed that there was a significant influence of the environment and the learning of Biology in secondary schools. Based on the result of findings, it was recommended among others that parent should try as much as possible to improve the home environment of the students so as to enhance their children academic achievement in school.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1            Background to the Study

Generally in the whole world, particularly in Nigeria education has been considered to be the cornerstone for development. It forms the basis for literacy, skills acquisition, technological advancement and ability to harness human and material resources towards the achievement of a societal goal, (Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004).

          Education is very important in any given society. It is a process by which the abilities and capabilities of individual are developed. These abilities might be physical, abilities, emotional abilities, social abilities, and intellectual abilities. It is the actualizing of human potential so that the individual can become something more than what he was before.

          The environment can be defined as a system within which living organisms interact with the physical element while education environment is a learning place where the learner learn and interact with learning facilities in order to be socialized and face the challenges in the society. Ausiegbe (2014) sees the environment as consisting of all elements existing around the man and which exert some influence on him. These include Physical, Biological and social attribute. The environment can also be seen as an aggregate of all the external condition and influence affecting the life and development of an organism.

          In this study, the environment includes all the external condition and influences in the school that affects the academic achievement of the student such as laboratory equipment, library facilities, qualified teachers, furniture, school building, good administrative management, teacher-student relationship and school location among others. Environmental factor for the purpose of this study can be divided into two parts, home, and school environmental factors. The environmental variable of the setting helps to a large extent in ensuring the attainability of the goals of such a setting. The environmental differences and the difference in the quality of instruction from one school to another can create differences in the level of knowledge acquisition of the students.

          Environmental influence before now has not been considered as one of the factors that affect academic achievement in secondary schools hence it has little or no attention in educational discourse and consideration. But over the past decade, remarkable studies have indicated a correlation between the environment and the teaching of biology in secondary schools. Environment plays a major role in the life of every individual whether students, teachers, employer or employee. Though some people are yet to believe that environment brings about better performance Udoh (2010) in his article “The environmental Health problems in Nigeria schools” identified some unhealthy practices in our schools. These include the setting of schools, inadequate facilities poor ventilation etc.

          Most of our schools have no light, insufficient facilities, buildings, and no ventilation. Under these conditions, the health of students and teachers according to Udoh (2010) may be adversely affected which will, in turn, reflect on students performance.

          Hence it is pertinent to critically look at the environmental factors that influences the teaching and learning of Biology, measures that can help improve them and make some recommendation because at the very heart of our educational mission is the goal of improving academic performance studies have shown that environmental factors to a large extent affect both physical and psychological potentials of an individuals. This has led to the contention that many students fail to develop their potentials due to inadequate environmental stimulation. However, there are some environmental factors which have contributed to this poor performance of student which are home background, inadequate school facilities, misuse of technology such as internet and school climate, such as teacher-student relationship etc. Given this situation, the study, therefore, seeks to find out really if environmental factors affect the learning of Biology among students in secondary schools in Ukanafun Local Government Area.

1.2            Statement of the Problem

The physical characteristics of the environment have a variety of effect on teachers students and the learning process. Poor lighting, noise, high levels of carbon dioxide in the classroom, and inconsistent temperature make teaching and learning difficult. Poor maintenance of the environment and ineffective ventilation systems lead to poor health among students as well as teachers, which lead to poor academic achievement and higher absentee rates. These factors can adversely affect students learning in secondary schools and lead to a higher level of frustration among teachers and poor learning attitude among students.

The high levels of students achievement in Biology teaching and learning may not be guaranteed where environmental factors such as home environment factors (parenting styles and social economic status) and school environmental factors (instructional space, workshops among others) are structurally defective. This study will, therefore, investigate the effect of environmental factors and the learning of Biology among secondary school students in Ukanafun Local Government Area.

1.3            Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of environmental factors on the learning of Biology among secondary school student in Ukanafun Local Government Area.

Specifically, the study sought to;  

i.       Determine the influence of school climate on the learning of Biology among secondary school students’.

ii.     Determine the influence of home environmental factors on the learning of Biology among secondary school students.

iii.  Asses the influence of technology on the learning of Biology among secondary school students. 

1.4            Significance of the Study

It is hoped that this study if implemented will provide information for parents, educators and school administrators to reflect upon various factors that help the student in achieving their academic goals both at home and in school.  In so doing, they can investigate the possibility of introducing those factors to their environment which may consequently lead to enhancing students, educational outcomes in school. The study will provide a valuable reference for other schools outside the study area for them to reflect upon the environmental factors as it affects the learning of Biology among secondary school students. The result of the finding will also serve as references materials to other researchers who may which to carry out research on this same topic.

1.5            Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study;

i.       What is the influence of home environmental factors on the students’ learning of Biology among secondary schools?

ii.     What is the influence of school climate on the students’ learning of Biology in secondary schools?

iii.  What is the influence of technology on students learning of Biology in secondary schools?

1.6            Research Hypothesis

In order to guide the research, the following research hypothesis was postulated to guide the study;

i.                   There is no significant influence of school climate on students’ learning of Biology among secondary schools.

ii.                 There is no significant influence of home environmental factors on the learning of Biology among secondary school students.

iii.              There is no significant influence of technology on students’ learning of Biology in secondary schools.

1.7            Limitation of the study

Apart from time-frame and financial constraint, the major limitation to this study is the inability of the researcher to cover the whole public secondary school in Ukanafun Local Government Area. 

1.8            Delimitation of the Study

This research work focuses on the influence of environmental factors and students learning of Biology among secondary school in Ukanafun Local Government Area. However, four public secondary schools were selected for the study.

1.9            Definition of Operational Terms

Environmental factors can be defined as the sum total of all surrounding of a living organism including natural forces and other living things which provides conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage.

Environment: It can be defined as a system within, which living organisms interact with the physical elements.

Learning: It is the act of acquiring new or modifying and reinforcing existing knowledge, behaviors, skills, values which may lead to a potential change in synthesizing information, depth of the knowledge, attitude or behavior relative to the type and range of experience.

Home Background: It is the environmental setting or home where the child was brought up.

School Climate: It is referred to as the quality and character of school life. School climate is based on patterns of students’ parents and school personnel’s experience of school life and reflects norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and organizational structure.

Technology Use: It is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools processing actions and extracting of materials.