The perception and practices of secondary school teachers’ using innovative teaching methods in biology at Bonga town, Kafa zone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and practices of secondary school teachers’ using in innovative teaching methods in biology at bonga town, kafa zone. To achieve the purpose of the study, descriptive survey research design was employed. To this effect, the study was conducted in four secondary schools in the year of 2016. Subsequently, 22 biology teachers, 4 laboratory technicians and 12 school principals as well as 292 students were participants of the study. Purposive sampling and stratified simple random sampling method were used in the study. The data were gathered through questionnaires, interviews and observations. The quantitative data gathered though questionnaires were analyzed by SPSS version 26, and interpreted with the help of percentage, mean value and standard deviation. Whereas, the qualitative data gathered through the open-ended questionnaire, interview and observation were analyzed by narration. The result of the study indicated that although secondary school biology teachers valued (held positive perception towards) using innovative teaching methods, practically they only used a limited percentage of teaching strategies at their classrooms. The result shows, what the secondary school biology teachers thought about application of innovative teaching methods deviate from what they were practicing in their teaching effort, it was also found that the practices of using innovative teaching strategies in biology classes were constrained by challenges such as: low utilization of internet access, insufficient availability of laboratory facilities, inadequate field project working places, absence of audio and video materials, inappropriate seats and blackboards. Finally, the study recommended teachers use different innovative strategies (approaches) depending on preferences of students learning needs, provision and fulfilling of learning resources by school administrative agencies including principals and PTA. Besides, partnerships between Bonga University and secondary schools need to be strengthened to provide professional support in the area of innovative teaching methods in biology.