The Effects of Physics Practical on High School Students’ Achievements in Physics in Rubaga Division, Kampala Central Uganda.
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Date
2018-10
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Kampala International University, School of Education, Open and Distance and E-learning
Abstract
In Ugandan secondary education schools, physics is compulsory to all students from form one to
form four (Ordinary Level) but optional at the advanced level where students choose subjects to
form combinations that will determine which courses they will take at the higher levels. Majority
of students most especially female lack motivation for most activities related to the subject.
The conventional teaching method has often been reported as the main cause to this problem.
This study investigated whether structured practical work can aid the process of learning the
subject. Specifically, the study sought using intensive practical activities and those taught using
conventional teaching methods. The findings were analyzed overall and gender wise. It involved
two groups from sampled average performing high schools in Rubaga division, Kampala central
Uganda. Two groups were formed i.e. the experimental group which was taught by intensive
practical activities and control group which has taught theoretically. Both pre-test and post-tests
were done on them. The study period covered term two from June to August (three months). The
end of term one physics examination scores formed the pre—test. The cumulated results on the
chosen topics at the mid of term two formed the post-test results for both groups. The
instruments used to collect the data were end of term one exams, performance tests on the chosen
topics, questionnaires and interviews. The performance on the pre-test result was comparable for
both experimental and control groups. The results of the post-test were analyzed using the Z-test
and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Experimental group recorded better performance than the
control group. The study helped to determine the importance of experimentation in physics
instruction. The performance of the male students was better than that of the female but still,
there was an improvement in the performance for female students after experimentation and their
interest in physics was also increased. The findings are formed on the basis of dynamic and
creative instructional strategies since good learners’ intelligence and skills can be expressed if
better instructional methods are put in place
Description
A Research Report Submitted to the College of Education, Open Distance And U-Learning in Partial Fulfillment of the Bachelors of Science with Education Degree of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Effects of Physics Practical, High School Students’ Achievements in Physics, Rubaga Division, Kampala Central Uganda.