Preparation of a supplement guide for advanced level projects using a model experiment

Abstract

Classroom-centered education is benefited by the introduction of the competency development projects for living. According to this new approach, students get the opportunity to join the real world and interact with the society to gain hands-on experience. Afler nine years of introduction of these projects for Advanced Level (A/L) students, many problems have led this program become unsuccessful, and ineffective. The main objective of the present research is to find out the problems associated with these projects in order to help A/L students to improve the quality of their projects by using scientific method and also to improve the relevancy to their immediate surroundings. In order to fulfill this, the present study was carried out under 3 components; a survey, model project and a supplementary guide. The survey was done to identify specific problems faced by the students and teachers during the implementation and reporting of these projects. The model project was carried out to guide them how to carryout a project with minimum resources relevant to their surroundings, using the scientific method. Finally, a guide was prepared to give some detailed instructions to students about managing and carrying out a project, and finally reporting the outcome in a scientific manner using the model project as a guide. Results of the survey clearly showed that the students and teachers face many problems during various stages in their project work. Most of these problems encountered are mainly due to the fact that the selected topics are not relevant to the area where student is living. To gain some benefits out of these projects, it is acknowledged that students should be encouraged to address problems, which are common to the area where they live. The model project was titled “The effect of different organic manure on the yield of Vigna cylindrica” as it is relevant to the particular area that I have chosen to conduct the experiment. Galewela is an agricultural area and uses chemical fertilizer and pesticide in large quantities. The A/L students can use this model project and the guide as a handbook to understand the major steps when carrying out a project using the scientific method.