dc.description.abstract |
Physics is an important subject in Kenya's secondary school curriculum because of its
role in the society and if taught effectively can propel the country's development goals
as envisaged in the vision 2030. Empirical studies world over has underscored the
important role of computer simulations as an instruction resource in enhancing
teaching in schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of computer
simulation instructional packages in enhancing the teaching of physics in Uasin Gishu
County secondary schools. The specific objectives of this study were: to find out the
availability of computer simulation instructional packages, examine how physics
teachers use computer simulation instructional packages, explore the attitudes of
physics teachers towards the use of computer simulation instructional packages,
determine the nature of technical support physics teachers get in the use of computer
simulation instructional packages, and to identify the challenges teachers face in using
computer simulation instructional packages. This study was guided by the
Constructivist learning theory; used descriptive survey design, and adopted mixed
method approach. The target population included all the 210 secondary schools in
Uasin Gishu County. Purposive sampling method was used to select 30 secondary
schools while both purposive and simple random sampling methods were used to
select 60 physics teachers, 30 heads of physics and 30 laboratory assistants. Data
collection instruments used included the questionnaire, checklist, interview and
observation schedules. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics
while qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented inform of verbatim
quotations. The findings on computer simulation instructional packages in secondary
schools were: Availability 44.5% , usage 43.2%, 65.4% of physics teachers depicted
a positive attitude towards the use, 53.2% of physics teachers lacked technical
support, and 70.2% of schools had challenges on internet connectivity and 57.4%
lacked trained laboratory assistants. The study findings on physics teachers feelings
on use of computer simulation instructional packages were: viewed by majority of
teachers that the resource was inadequate, majority of teachers hold that they were not
supported by laboratory assistants as required, majority of teachers agreed that
schools lack internet services and training for laboratory assistants. The study
concludes that majority of secondary schools had a limited use on computer
simulation instructional packages in enhancing and teaching of physics. This study
recommended the following: that school's Board of Management should finance the
provision of computer simulation instructional packages and internet resources
promote and strengthen teachers on the use computer simulation instructional
packages and lastly empowerment of laboratory assistants through in-service training. |
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