IMPACT OF LABORATORY APPROACH ON ACQUISITION OF PRODUCTION SKILLS IN BLEACH MAKING BY SECONDARY SCHOOL CHEMISTRY STUDENTS IN OKIGWE EDUCATION ZONE OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study determined the impact of laboratory approach on acquisition of production skills in bleach making by secondary school Chemistry students in Okigwe Education Zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. Quasi experimental research design was adopted for the study with a sample of 98 senior secondary two (SSII) chemistry students. Treatment in the two groups lasted for four weeks. Bleach Production Skills Rating Scale (BPS_RS) was the instrument used for data collection. The BPS_RS was validated by experts and Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.78 was established. Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) statistical techniques. The findings reveal that students who were exposed to bleach making using laboratory approach acquired higher production skills in bleach making than those taught using the conventional approach. It was concluded therefore that the use of laboratory approach enhances students’ acquisition of production skills in bleach making. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that teachers should expose their students to bleach making using the laboratory approach in order to develop entrepreneurial skills that will make them self-reliant.