Animation And The Restructuring Of The Junior Primary School Basic Science Curriculum In Rivers State
Abstract
This study was on animation and the restructuring of the junior primary school basic science curriculum in Rivers state. The following objectives of the study guided for the study: To ascertain whether animation aid in teaching of basic science in junior primary school in Rivers state, to find out the opinion of teachers using animation in teaching of basic science in junior primary school, to find out pupils’ performance of basic science with the aid of animation in junior primary school in Rivers state, to find out the opinion of primary school pupils on the teaching of basic science with the aid of animation and to ascertain whether animation aid restructuring of the junior primary school basic science curriculum in Rivers state. For a comprehensive analysis of data collected, emphasis was laid on the use of absolute numbers frequencies of responses and percentages. Answers to the research questions were provided through the comparison of the percentage of worker’s response to each statement in the questionnaire related to any specified question being considered. The simple percentage method is believed to be straight forward easy to interpret and understand method. The study recommended that Science teachers should incorporate the use of cartoon style animation teaching to complement their traditional chalk-talk method of instructional delivery and Science teachers should frequently use MM and Animated cartoons during instructional development, especially when it is inevitable.
Chapter one
Introduction
- Background of the study
The advent of computers has changed the method of communication in modern day classrooms. Computer mediated communication in classroom is getting more and more popular nowadays. Computer-mediated communication often referred to as CMC, is human interaction using networked computer environments. It includes human communication and information shared through communication networks (Pearson et al., 2011).
Science education is important not only for generating new scientists, but also to maintain a high level of scientific literacy and to help develop critical thinking amongst the youngest and thus contribute to their development into informed citizens. Schools are the key hotspots for formal science learning, with increasingly new tools and platforms many of them Web based – being used for both formal and informal science learning
Some reports support that science education should start in primary schools, at a stage when mistakes or misconceptions first arise, and when children’s attitudes towards science are being developed. But during primary school, science subjects may not have sufficient room in the classroom, since focus is often given to literacy and numeracy. On the other hand, it is difficult to address topics that contemplate processes that are invisible to the naked eye, such as those that occur in the cell, or that take place over long periods of time, like evolution. Even for middle school, high school and undergraduate students, “invisible” processes, such as those underlying genetics, for instance, have been found abstract and difficult. Hence, when considering science learning by young children, we face two challenges: 1) finding room in the Primary School curricula to teach science, and 2) presenting interesting resources, that simultaneously engage the students and foster science learning in a simple but accurate way.
Animation is a Latin word that means to revive. Animation is an alive, stripped and detailed form of computer. Because of their dynamic characteristics, animations indicate the change in figures or colors, emergence and extinction of some situations in realization process of the events. These changes may be either graphic, picture or caricature (Foley, Van-Dam & Feiner,1990; Laybourne,1998). Computer animations work as the rapid change of the picture on the computer screen. Three features of the animations may be mentioned. These may be listed as picture, indication of certain movements and simulation. Decoration, taking attention, providing motivation, having over knowledge and providing the classification of complex information and events all are listed as some of the probable roles of animations. Besides, taking the attention of the students on the subject is an important function of the animations. Animations related to the subject to be taught should be suitable for the content of the subject. Otherwise animations may spoil attention (Vermaat, Kramers-Pals & Schank, 2004). Movement is the one of the most important features of the animations. Since the chemical events are dynamic, invisible and hard to revive in the mind molecular level, animations can be powerful tools in the education of science-technology and chemistry (Burke, Greenbowe & Windschitl, 1998).
Several studies have analyzed the potential benefits of animation in the classroom. Here, we discuss the use of short animation as a resource to enthuse young people about science, and at the same time teach them key biological concepts. We explored whether the animation is effective in promoting knowledge, and in being used in the classroom as a stand-alone educational resource. Based on this background the researcher wants to investigate animation and the restructuring of the junior primary school basic science curriculum in Rivers state
1.2 Statement of the problem
One of the subjects that the students have difficulty is that of basic science. Researches carried out on this issue indicate that students have various misunderstanding on the concept of science and they have these misunderstanding even after the learning process (Özmen & Demircioğlu, 2003). It has been put forward that students have difficulty in conceptual understanding in the process of teaching basic science in primary school (Cros, Amouroux, Chastrette, Fayol, Leber, & Maurin, 1986; Ross & Munby, 1991; Ebenezer, 2001; Chiu, 2005; Drechsler & Schmidt, 2005). There arises the problem of how effective the animation technique will be in eliminating the inadequacies in conceptual understanding of primary school pupls.
1.3 Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain whether animation aid in teaching of basic science in junior primary school in Rivers state
- To find out the opinion of teachers using animation in teaching of basic science in junior primary school
- To find out pupils’ performance of basic science with the aid of animation in junior primary school in Rivers state
- To find out the opinion of primary school pupils on the teaching of basic science with the aid of animation
- To ascertain whether animation aid restructuring of the junior primary school basic science curriculum in Rivers state
1.4 Research question
- Did animation aid in teaching of basic science in junior primary school?
- What are teachers’ opinion in using animation to teach basic science in junior primary school?
- Do pupils performance well with the aid of animation in teaching of basic science in junior primary school?
- What are the opinions of pupils with the aid of animation in teaching of basic science in junior primary school?
- Do animation aid in restructuring of the junior primary school basic science curriculum in Rivers state?
1.5 Significance of the study
The study will be very significant to students, teachers, policy makers and ministry of education in Rivers state and Nigeria as a whole. the study will give a clear insight on the animation and the restructuring of the junior primary school basic science curriculum. At the end of the study we shall the know the aids of animation in teaching of basic science in primary school. The study will also serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related topic
1.6 Scope of the study
The scope of the study covers animation and the restructuring of the junior primary school basic science curriculum in Rivers state. The study will be limited to selected primary schools, Portharcourt in Rivers state.
1.7 Limitation of the study
The researcher encounters some constraints which limit the scope of the study namely:
The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.8 Definition of terms
Animation: Animation is a method in which figures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most animations are made with computer-generated imagery
Restructuring: Restructuring is the corporate management term for the act of reorganizing the legal, ownership, operational, or other structures of a company for the purpose of making it more profitable, or better organized for its present needs.
Basic science: Basic science is the study of the fundamental processes that are essential to life on our planet, including biology, biochemistry, genetics, anatomy, neurobiology, immunology, and more. Sometimes used interchangeably with the term “life science,” basic science isn’t just an abstract, theoretical field.
Do you need help? Talk to us right now: (+234) 08060082010, 08107932631 (Call/WhatsApp). Email: [email protected].IF YOU CAN'T FIND YOUR TOPIC, CLICK HERE TO HIRE A WRITER»
