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Effective Teaching of Chemistry Practical in Secondary Schools: A Panacea for Functional Chemistry Education in Nigeria

Akintola T, Sunday O.A, Nafiu A, Adeiza A.A

Abstract

The poor performance of students in O’ level chemistry practical has been attributed to many factors. Some of these factors are lack of science equipments, inability of students to identify colour of gases, inability of students to express facts and thought explicitly in writings, lack of knowledge of underlying principles of qualitative analysis, and rationale for common laboratory practices and inability of students to apply basic principles of mathematics correctly. This paper highlights some ways and steps in teaching practical chemistry effectively. To ensure effective practical teaching, it is recommended that government should ensure that schools have functional laboratories, qualified and well-trained science teachers, provide good textbooks and to ensure periodic supervision of schools. The teachers on their part, should use correct teaching method, teach correct concepts and should expose students to practical early enough to avoid the fire brigade approach towards passing WAEC or NECO examination and also avoid overcrowding of students during practical. Key Words: Practical, Equipment, qualitative, laboratory, analysis

Keywords

PracticalEquipmentqualitativelaboratoryanalysis

References

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