Problems Relating to the Acquisition of Practical Laboratory Skills in Physics and Associated Cognitive Learning in College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to Problems Relating to the Acquisition of Practical Laboratory Skills in Physics and Associated Cognitive Learning in College of Health Technology, Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. In pursuance of this purpose, three research questions were raised from which three null hypotheses were formulated. Ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 165 Physics year one students from three departments in the College of Health Technology, Calabar of Cross River State. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 83 physics students from the three departments and three physics lecturers was also select using purposive sampling technique. Two research-designed instruments were used in this study for data collection: Practical Physics Achievement Test (PPAT) and a structured questionnaire titled “Problems Relating to the Acquisition of Practical Laboratory Skills in Physics (PRAPLSIP)”. This was developed by the researcher and validated by two experts in measurement and subject matter content. All the analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 computer programme and all the hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance. Independent t - test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the data analysis. The following findings were obtained: teachers’ motivation of teachers do significantly influence the acquisition of physics laboratory practical skills, There was significant difference between teachers with high, moderate and low motivation (p = 0.006, p < 0.05), on the acquisition of physics laboratory practical skills. Student’s absenteeism do significantly influence the acquisition of physics laboratory practical skills, Student’s absenteeism (p = 0.003, p < 0.05) do significantly influence the acquisition of physics laboratory practical skills and Laboratory learning Space do significantly influence (p = 0.006, p > 0.05) the acquisition of physics laboratory practical skills. The major implication in this study is that, the acquisition of physics laboratory practical skills can be improved through teacher’s motivation, provision of functional equipment in the college physics laboratory and provision of a good laboratory with enough learning space. Based on the findings, government and school authorities should provide colleges with spacious and good standard physics laboratory.