An investigation into the teaching of Biology and Physical Science practical works in senior secondary schools in the Zambezi region, Namibia
| dc.contributor.author | Liswaniso, Liswaniso Joseph | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2019-06-10T06:10:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2019-06-10T06:10:49Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2019 | |
| dc.description | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (Science Education) | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed at investigating the teaching of Biology and Physical Science practical works in Senior Secondary schools in the Zambezi Region, Namibia. The study was guided by four questions: 1. Did the teaching of Biology and Physical Science practical works in Senior Secondary schools in the Zambezi region follow the learning objectives outlined in the subjects’ curricula?; 2. What practical skills do the Biology and Physical Science teachers aim to achieve from the practical works being taught in the Senior Secondary schools?; 3. What assessment criteria are used by the Biology and Physical Science teachers to assess the practical skills acquired by the learners? 4. What are the opinions of the Biology and Physical Science teachers on the things that should be done to improve the teaching of Biology and Physical Science practical works in Senior Secondary schools in the Zambezi region? Mixed method research design involving both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were employed to collect data. A sample consisting of seven Biology teachers and seven Physical Science teachers were selected using the purposive sampling method. Data were collected through questionnaires, observation schedules, interview schedules and document analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data while thematic analysis method was used to analyse the qualitative data. The findings from the questionnaires and interviews analyses indicated that the majority of Biology and Physical Science teachers taught practical works. Classroom observations and document analyses however, revealed that the teaching of Biology and Physical Science practical works in senior secondary schools in the Zambezi Region was neglected and did not follow the learning objectives outlined in the subjects’ curricula. The findings also revealed that the Biology and Physical Science teachers assessed practical skills but gave a higher assessment weighting to the following sequence of instructions; handling apparatus; applying scientific knowledge and understanding to make interpretations and to draw appropriate conclusions from practical observations and data. The findings also showed that the materials necessary for teaching practical works were not adequate in both Biology and Physical Science classrooms and laboratories. This situation needs to be seriously addressed if the teaching of Biology and Physical Science practical work is to follow the learning objectives outlined in the subjects’ curricula. The Ministry of Education should provide resources, equipments and training workshops for Biology and Physical Science teachers on how to teach practical work. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11070/2515 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | University of Namibia | en_US |
| dc.subject | Biology | en_US |
| dc.subject | Physical science | en_US |
| dc.title | An investigation into the teaching of Biology and Physical Science practical works in senior secondary schools in the Zambezi region, Namibia | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |