Effects of Virtual Laboratory Simulation Package and Demonstration Instructional Strategy on the Achievement of Secondary School Students in Biology

Abstract

This study investigated the Effects of Computer Laboratory Simulation and Practical Demonstration Instructional Strategy on the Achievement of Secondary School Students in practical Biology. The research design adopted for the study was Pretest-Posttest experimental group design. The population is all secondary school students in Minna Metropolis. The purposive sampling technique was used to select two secondary schools in Minna metropolis, Niger State Nigeria. The two schools were randomly assigned to the experimental group (computer simulation group) and control group (Demonstration teaching methods) respectively. Finally, stratified simple random sampling technique was used to select the 60 SSII students. The experimental group had 30 (15 males – 15 females) students and control 30 (15 males – 15 females) students. A Computer simulation laboratory Package (CSLP) was developed treatment instrument for this study. The instrument that was used in collecting data for the study was the researcher's adopted Biology Practical Achievement Test (BPAT). The instrument was pilot tested and its reliability coefficient determined as 0.74 using Kuder Richardson (KR-21). The data collected were subjected to analysis using a t-test at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The results revealed that there is a significant difference between the experimental groups and control group. The experimental group had a significant improvement in performance after they were exposed to treatment and was also found to be gender friendly Based on the findings it was recommended that Computer Laboratory Simulation Package should be adopted by biology teachers in teaching practical biology at secondary schools since it has been found to improved academic performance.