Effect of Student Perception to Chemistry Practicals on Performance in Chemistry Subject
Author: Ronoh Obadiah Cheruiyot
Abstract: Experimental practices in Chemistry are vital as an instructional method for better understanding of concepts. The study was done to establish the effect of student perception to chemistry practicals on performance in chemistry in secondary schools. The objective of the study was to evaluate how the perception of students to chemistry subject, teacher and the school affected their performance. The research was done in Narok County of Kenya. The County was chosen for study for the reason that the outcomes in summative evaluation in Chemistry subject was below the standard and variable as from 2012 to 2017. Research philosophy was Pragmatism where both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized in data handling. A descriptive survey design was used where a sample size of three hundred and seventy-seven respondents were selected in a random manner from teachers who instructed chemistry and Form three students all from public secondary schools. Information was gathered using questionnaire, interview and observation schedule. Documents were also analyzed to get additional data crucial for the study. Analysis of data was done using statistical package for social science (SPSS) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA. The findings of the study indicated that Students liked chemistry subjects and the teacher to a small extent affecting the development of a positive attitude. They perceived chemistry practicals to be difficult to handle and had a negative attitude. Students were not well motivated during practical sessions The ANOVA result indicated that student’s perception is significant to performance in chemistry (P<0.05). The study concluded that the way the student perceived the subject, teacher, and school affected the performance on practicals and the entire subject Chemistry. It recommended that teachers should develop a positive attitude towards the subject to enable them to transfer the same to the students for easy learning and motivation to both and this will better the performance. The results obtained will benefit the government, Donors, teachers, students and researchers to realign measures to enhance student change of attitude for better performance.