The Potential of integrating ICT into the Teaching and Learning of Chemical Bonds in Senior High Schools in Ghana - A Case Study

Authors

  • Ruby Hanson  Department of Chemisty Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
  • Victor Antwi  Department of Physics Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
  • Gertrude Ayim   Department of Chemisty Education, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

Keywords:

Chemical Bonding, Conceptual understanding, ICT. Secondary education

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the potential of integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the teaching and learning of chemical bonding. Chemical bonding is a topic which is abstract in nature and requires the introduction of tangible elements to enable students build mental models for conceptual understanding. Nowadays, students spend more time with technological tools and prefer to use them in performing tasks and so this was tapped upon. Thirty students of Keta Senior High School in Keta, Ghana, who were randomly selected and three chemistry teachers purposely chosen, participated in the study. It employed both qualitative and quantitative methods for collection of data through pre- and post-tests, and the administration of an opinion questionnaire to assess improvement in performance after a chemistry software was used to teach the concept of chemical bonds. The integration of ICT into the teaching and learning of chemical bonds had the potential to reduce its abstraction while allowing students the premise to apply technologies that they were familiar with. Majority of the students (about 95%) had higher marks during the post test.

References

  1. D. Gabel, "Improving teaching and learning through chemistry education research: A look to the future," Journal of Chemical Education, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 548-554, 1999.
  2. N. Yildrim, S. Kurt and A. Ayas, "The effect of worksheets on students' achievement in chemical equilibrium," Turkish Science Education, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 44-58, 2011.
  3. Z. Zakaria, L. Latip and S. Tantayanon, "Organic chemistry practices for undergraduates, using a small lab kit," Procedia-Social and Behavioural Sciences, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 508-514, 2012.
  4. J. Pernaa and M. Aksela, "Problems of education in the 21st century," Chemistry Teachers' and Students' Perceptions of Practical Work Through Different ICT Learning Environments, vol. 16, pp. 80-89, 2009.
  5. F. Mikre, "The Roles of Information Communication Technologies in Education," Review Article with Emphasis to the Computer and, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 1-16, 2011.
  6. D. Stevenson, "Information and communications technology in UK schools:," Information and communications an independent inquiry March 1997. Independent ICT in Schools Commission., 1997.
  7. E. I. Mwengah, "Pedagogical Issues and E-learning Cases," Integrating ICTs into Teaching and Learning Process, 2009.
  8. L. M. Triona and D. Klahr, "Point and click or grab and heft: Comparing the influence of physical and virtual instructional materials on elementary school students' ability to design experiments," Cognition and Instruction, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 149-173, 2003.
  9. N. Pachler, "Using the Internet as a teaching and learning tool," Learning to teach using ICT in the secondary school, pp. 51-70, 1999.
  10. V. Tinio, "ICT in Education:UN development programme," 2002. [Online]. Available: https://ju.edu.et/ejes/sites/default/files/The%20role%20of%20ICT%20in%Education.pdf.
  11. A. Hofstein and V. N. Lunetta, "The laboratory in science education: Foundations for the twenty-first century," Science Education, vol. 88, no. 1, pp. 28-54, 2004.
  12. R. Kozma and J. Russel, "Students becoming chemists: Developing representational competence," in Visualisation in science, Dordrecht, Springer, 2005, pp. 121-146.
  13. M. Aksela and J. Lundell, "Computer-based molecular modelling: Finnish school teachers' experiences and views," Chemistry Education Research and Practice, vol. 9, pp. 301-308, 2008.
  14. I. Eilks, Teaching chemistry- A study book, London: Sense Publishers, 2013.
  15. M. Volman, "Variety of roles for a new type of teacher: Educational technology and the teacher profession," Teacher and Teacher Education, vol. 21, pp. 32-44, 2005.
  16. S. A. Jegede, "Curriculum studies," International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 46-58, 2013.
  17. D. L. Lowther, F. A. Inan, J. D. Strahl and S. M. Ross, "Does technology integration work when key barriers are removed?," Educational Media International, vol. 45, pp. 195-213, 2008.
  18. C. Bhukuhani, L. Kusure, V. Munodawafa, A. Sana and I. Gwizangwe, "Preservice teachers' use of improvised and virtual laboratory experimentation in science teaching," International Journal of Education and Development using Information Technology, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 27-38, 2010.

Downloads

Published

2017-04-30

Issue

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

[1]
Ruby Hanson, Victor Antwi, Gertrude Ayim , " The Potential of integrating ICT into the Teaching and Learning of Chemical Bonds in Senior High Schools in Ghana - A Case Study, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011, Volume 3, Issue 3, pp.198-210, March-April-2017.