IMPROVING THE CONCEPTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCESS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS TO SECOND YEAR SCIENCE STUDENTS OF ABETIFI PRESBYTERIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL: THE USE OF THE MODEL OF THE LEAF AND ANIMAT

ABSTRACT 

Photosynthesis is a biological process which is critical for producing food for all living organisms. The study explores the results of learners’ performance with regard to photosynthesis and suggests ways and procedures to help the learners to perform at their maximum level. The targeted group consisted of 30 students in Abetifi Presbyterian Senior High School on the Kwahu Ridge in the Eastern region.  The release of 2013 WASCE examination results, for example, was followed by public outrage as expressed in the newspapers especially concerning poor performance in Biology, and also in other subjects. This was affirmed on the difficulty in understanding most concepts in the area of biology on the parts of students and the teaching methods used in delivering these concepts to students. And according to Nellist students tend to forget whatever they hear, they remember what they see and whatever they are to do, they understand. Hence it is important to use audio visual aids (animation and simulation) to bring difficult topics like the concept of photosynthesis to the level of understanding students. This motivated the researcher to find out what aspects of photosynthesis posed conceptual problems for learners. A pre- and post –test was used to collect data for proper statistical analysis. The test consisted of thirteen questions taken from previous WASCE examination. The questions were analyzed to determine the cognitive demands according to Bloom’s taxonomy. The questions were found to be integrated and tested lower and higher order cognitive levels according to Bloom’s taxonomy. The learners’ achievement scores showed that the test discriminated well among those learners who studied well and those who did not know their work.  The results would then be used to improve the teaching of photosynthesis in the school involved in the study and can extend to other schools on the ridge or to the nation as a whole. The study addressed questions like, the cognitive level of students, what misconceptions do students have on the concept of photosynthesis, what effect has the use of animation and simulation had on the teaching and learning of the concept of photosynthesis.