UoP Theses
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- ItemFactors affecting students' selection of G.C.E. advanced level science Subjects: a case study of sinhala medium students in Nuwara-Eliya education zone(University of Peradeniya, 2016) Illukkumbura, P. E.The current Sri Lankan education system forces students to choose a subject stream for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (AIL), which in many ways dictates their future opportunities. However, there is little research done exploring on factors which influence students' decision of choosing a subject stream. The purpose of this research was to study such factors affecting students in the Nuwara-Eliya educational zone. Here, the influence of explicit factors such as the perceptions of students as well as implicit factors such as gender and socio-economic factors were studied. A mixed method was utilized, using both a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews for the collection of data. The sample consisted of 185 (grade 12) students from seven schools in the Nuwara-Eliya district. In this sample 115 students were from the AIL arts or commerce subject streams and 70 from AIL science or mathematics streams . Furthermore, semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire were provided to 55 teachers. Basic statistical procedures and qualitative techniques were used in data analysis. Results indicate that a large majority (80%) of students choose their study stream according to their own preference. A very minor portion of students identify that their parent's (4%), or their friends (2%) as the major influence in choosing a subject stream. Responses in semi- structured interviews indicate that in some cases students avoid the science stream due to misguidance a perceived lack of future opportunities, both in higher studies and employment. Further research needs to be conducted to probe the unperceived social influences which affect students in their dislikeness in science subject. Quantitative data showed that there is a correlation between the monthly domestic income and the likelihood of a student choosing science; students were more likely to choose science when their family's income was relatively high. Furthermore, in the sampled student population, female students were more inclined to choose science or arts streams , while the male students were more inclined to choose commerce or technology streams. To increase the number of productive citizens trained in science and technology, it is essential to increase the number of students entering into higher studies in science. As a first step the root causes dissuading students should be found, especially in educational regions which have historically shown poor academic performance of students.
- ItemIdentifying the factors related to the achievement in chemistry At G.C.E. advanced level examination In Kegalle district(University of Peradeniya, 2016) Uduwela, K. R. W. M. V. K.The Science stream assumes a competitive and very important study stream among four subject streams in G.C. E. (A /L) examinations. Chemistry is taught in both science streams namely Physical science and Biological science. Chemistry is a subject that lesser number of students achieved good results in G.C.E. (A /L) examination over the past few years. Many factors are affecting the student achievement in G.C.E. (A /L) examination directly or indirectly. This study aims to find out the factors affect the Chemistry results in G.C.E. (A /L) examination of the students in Kegalle district. The population of the study was included G.C.E. (A /L) students who studied Chemistry as a subject, teachers (including school and tuition) who taught them, and their parents . Schools where Chemistry is teaching as a subject for G.C.E. (A /L) classes were considered in the study and there were 26 such schools in the Kegalle district. Using random sampling method, ten schools out of above mentioned schools were selected for the study. Information related to chemistry learning and teachings in the schools were collected by administering questionnaires to students, teachers and parents. The information was triangulated in analyzing process and to compare variables in different groups, one way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used. The results revealed that different factor s affected including difficulty in mathematical calculation, difficulty of understanding subject matter, school attendance, experience in answering questions, involved in practical session and subject complexity for changes in G.C. E. (A /L ) Chemistry results. Majority of effects can be overcome by organized methodical teaching learning process in the schools. The rest of the effects need to be further studied and implement sustainable teaching methods especially in complexity in Chemistry curriculum.
- ItemIntroducing atomic structure to advanced level students through their active participation in the learning process(University of Peradeniya, 1999) Abeykoon Menike, A. R. G. A. M.Atomic structure, an important topic in the A. Level chemistry syllabus, includes concepts that are difficult for students to comprehend, and even experienced teachers face difficulties in teaching this section. In this report a teacher guide for the sub unit “The existence of energy levels in an atom” — Under the structure of atom unit in the A. Level chemistry syllabus — was. prepared. A survey was conducted among students and teachers to identify difficulties in learning and teaching this topic. . Results. of the survey and current knowledge on this section Were used for the preparation of the teacher guide, which includes the use of several types of models, use of pretests, assignment cards and self-assessment questions and analogies from day to day life experiences, which provide opportunities for active participation of students in the classroom to facilitate them to understand the relevant concepts.
- ItemSelf learning study pack on 'insect pests' for A/L biology students(The University of Peradeniya, 1999) Damayanthi, K. H. N.The ultimate goal of teaching science is to develop the students’ curiosity, openness, skepticism, communication in order to be able to apply them to his day to day life. The student who has these abilities is able to get rid of misconceptions or naive conceptions easily and be able to construct scientific theories that are found in the real world. Further more activity based teaching and learning provide enough opportunities to the students to acquire real life experiences. My experience in teaching Zoology over a span of a decade followed by exposure through the M. Sc. In science education together, I received with the demands made by newly introduced Educational Reforms led me to prepare this self learning study pack. The study pack consists of a 2 cassettes (120 min) a work book (25 pp.) a set of ten plates and a picture story, that makes the study on insect pests interesting to a motivated student. The student begins by listening to the cassette and following instructions given in it to carry out field and other activities indicated in the work book. Guidance for recording the activities are indicated in the work book in the form of tables and graphs. The study pack covers 34 activities in this manner. Certain tasks are aimed at taking the student to the field and getting first hand experience. One such activity is the visit to a paddy field and yving a dialogue with the farmer to observe and obtain information on paddy pests, tural and chemical methods used. Most activities take the form of question and answer style by which the students can make an immediate self assessments and corrections. The plates provided form the backbone to this study where colour pictures of the cycle stages of the insect pest and damage to the crop is shown enabling their easily entification when seen in the field situation. The study pack is intended to be a novel and an interesting experience through which student’s can grasp the message easily. As science teachers we can contribute to the development of this type of study pack for a very large group of users on varied topics and lessons. Last but not least I hope that this type of study pack would keep the students away from unlimited tuition classes and keep them in their homes and schools studying on their own. I hope this would form a bridge between the teacher and the student completing a lesson done in class as home work.