Assessing the current practices of teaching physics in the preparatory schools at kersa woreda and jimma town

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practices of teaching used by physics teachers in physics course of studies to enhance students’ performance at preparatory schools at Jimma Town and Kersa Woreda. To accomplish this purpose, a cross- sectional survey deign was employed. Data were collected from 242 randomly selected students and 6 purposively selected physics teachers . Moreover, 2 school principals and 2 Woreda Education Office (WEO) curriculum experts were participated through purposive sampling technique. The researcher used questionnaire, interview and observation tools to collect the relevant data for the study. Data were analyzed using frequency table, percentage, mean and standard deviation, besides using descriptions for the qualitative data. The results of the study confirmed that teachers were found to be less successful in using different active learning methods than dominantly applying the traditional lecture method for all physics contents. Moreover, teachers did not sufficiently engage the students in practical laboratory activities because of scarce laboratory equipment and trained lab technician to support physics lesson. The Plasma Television (TV) lesson presentation is inefficient in allocating adequate time for discussion, the improper pace in lesson presentation and the absence of active interaction between students and plasma teachers. These entangled the students’ learning. In order to alleviate those problems that arise from the teaching physics, the researcher recommends teachers to use active learning methods that combine students’ prior knowledge with the new lesson that minimize the knowledge gap and pave the way to easily understand new physics concepts. A collaborative work is recommended for school and WEO to create better learning environment, in general and for physics teaching specifically.