EFFECT OF LABORATORY INSTRUCTION PLAN ON SCIENCE EDUCATION STUDENTS ACQUISITION OF PRODUCTION SKILL IN CANDLE MANUFACTURE IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA
Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Christian Sunday Ugwuanyi
Department of Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Nmadu John
Department of Educational Foundation, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja
Oluchi Esther-Jane Uwaleke
General Outpatient Unit, Family Medicine Department Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study determined the effect of laboratory instruction plan on science education students’ acquisition of production skill in candle manufacture in federal universities in south-east zone of Nigeria. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. Quasi experimental research design was adopted for the study with a sample of 98 third year (300level) science education students’ randomly selected from two out of four federal universities that offers science education programmes in south-east zone of Nigeria. Candle Production Skills Rating Scale (CPS_RS) was the instrument used for data collection. The CPS_RS was validated by five experts (three from science education and two from educational measurement and evaluation). Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.83 was established. Treatment in the two groups lasted for four weeks. Mean, standard deviation and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used in analyzing the data. The findings revealed that students who were exposed to laboratory instruction plan attained higher production skills in candle manufacture than those taught using the conventional plan. It was concluded therefore that the use of laboratory instruction plans improved students’ acquisition of production skills in candle manufacture. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that science education lecturers should make their students become acquainted with candle manufacture using the laboratory instruction plan in order to develop production skills that will make them resourceful, selfreliant and employer/boss of labor upon graduation.
Keywords
laboratory instruction plan, science education, students, production skills, candle manufacture
