Teaching of Practical in Biology in Selected Secondary Schools in Kakamega County of Western Kenya: A Case of Digital Educational Technology Media Resources
Keywords:
Availability, Biodiversity, Biology, DETMRs, PSS, Pedagogy, Practical, Teacher-education, Virtual Specimens.Abstract
This study aim was to establish the availability and use of Digital Educational Technology Media Resources (DETMRs) for the teaching of practical in Biology using virtual specimens. This necessitated by environmental changes caused by human activities and climate change affecting the availability of living things for the teaching of practical in Biology. This survey study carried on the teachers of Biology for the teaching of practical in Biology in 36 Public Secondary Schools (PSS) in Kakamega County, Western Kenya. The study guidance based on the constructivist theory of learning. Thirty-six PSS were randomly sampled, three from each of the twelve sub-counties of Kakamega County for data collection. For each sample school, the respondents were the Principals, Heads of Department (Science) and three teachers of Biology. The data was collected by interviewing of the Principals, while a questionnaire for the teachers of Biology and direct classroom observation schedule. The data collected analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics, Chi-Square (X2) at a level of 0.05 of the statistics of significance. The findings indicated that there were no adequate DETMRs in the PSS; the teachers lacked knowledge and skills towards the use of DETMRs in the teaching of practical in Biology. The study may benefit curriculum planners, teacher-education preparation programme developers and stakeholders in science education in improving the teaching strategies of practical in Biology.
This may enhance conservation of the Biodiversity of living things for a future generation without destruction of the natural environment by collecting diminishing species of living things for the teaching practical in Biology. The recommendations are: there is need to provide DETMRs to PSS and support technologies by the government; the curriculum developers to provide enhanced intensive teacher-education preparation programmes incorporating DETMRs for professional development of teachers of Biology.
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