THE IMPACT OF PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES ON TEACHING AND LEARNING OF BIOLOGY AT BIRIM CENTRAL MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT 

The study investigated the impact of activities on teaching and learning of Biology at the Birim Central Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The sample population was made up of one hundred students and twenty five (25) biology teachers from the five (5) selected Senior High Schools. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and analysed data were converted into frequency counts and percentages. Findings of the study revealed that, biology teachers in the municipality do not have academic qualification and/or certificate pertaining to biology. Also, teacher-centered approach was used in teaching biology practical lesson. Again, though some SHS in the Birim Central Municipality have science laboratories and equipment, they cannot function as expected. Moreover, biology teachers were unable to use practical activities in their lessons as a result of small size of the laboratory, inadequate biology apparatus and large class size. Similarly, teachers should be more innovative in preparing teaching and learning materials to help them modify their teaching strategies in order to embrace the benefits of interactive teaching, including longer and increased students’ conceptual understanding.