AN ANALYSIS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS' LABORATORY SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS AND PERCEPTIONS OF LABORATORY APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Background: Chemistry is one of the least preferred courses and is considered an abstract and difficult branch of science by students. In order to make chemistry more meaningful and interesting, it is of great importance to do more laboratory activities and to relate chemistry to daily life. When designing chemistry programs, the skills that students need to develop should be taken into account. Among these skills, laboratory perception and self-efficacy are the most prominent ones. Aim: This research was conducted to determine the perceptions of high school students regarding laboratory practices to reveal their self-efficacy in chemistry laboratories and also to determine the changes in perception and self-efficacy according to grade level and gender. Methods: The study was designed using the relational survey model. The study sample consists of 423 high school students. MANOVA test was performed to determine the effects of gender and grade level on students' laboratory perception and self-efficacy. Results: According to the MANOVA results, the gender effect is significant, but the class level effect and the gender*class level effect are not significant. However, there was a difference with respect to gender in the dimensions of the goals of the laboratory, the effectiveness of the laboratory, and the planning of the chemistry perception. It was determined that female students had higher perceptions of laboratory goals, while male students had higher perceptions of laboratory effectiveness and planning. Discussion: It is thought that examining the perceptions and self-efficacy of high school students regarding laboratory activities before they start their undergraduate education and analyzing how these factors are related to various variables can guide university-level education.Conclusions: These results indicate that high school students' perceptions of chemistry laboratory practices and their self-efficacy in the lab are at a moderate level. To enhance students' perceptions of chemistry, it is recommended that hands-on activities be incorporated into the curriculum.