Impact of Ethnochemistry on Learners Achievement and Attitude towards Experimental Techniques

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VIII, August 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Impact of Ethnochemistry on Learners Achievement and Attitude towards Experimental Techniques

Absalom Siwale^1,2*, Indra Sen Singh¹, Patrick Hayumbu¹

¹School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Copperbelt University, P.O Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia
²Chapula Secondary School, P.O Box 260495, Kalulushi, Zambia

Abstract: This study was conducted to examine the impact of the Ethnochemistry teaching approach on learners’ performance and attitude towards the topic of Chemistry Experimental Techniques as well as Chemistry in general. The quasi-experimental design of the pre-test, post-test approach was used in the study. The total sample size was 195 learners. To assess learners’ performance, a pre-test and a post-test were administered to both the control and the experimental groups. Learners’ attitude towards Experimental Techniques and Chemistry in general was assessed using a pre-test and post-test Attitude Questionnaire. The results for the performance pre-test and post-test were compared using independent-sample t-Test at an alpha (α) level set at 0.05.This showed a statistically significant difference in the post-test performance for control (M=42.75 ,SD=11.313 ) and Experimental (M= 70.85 ,SD=14.45 ) groups; t(38)=-6.85, P= .000. There was also a statistically significant difference in post-test attitude Scores for control (M= 50.5, SD=19.73) and experimental (M=85.5, SD=20.7) groups; t (193) =16.4, P= .000. This indicates that the Ethnochemistry teaching approach enhances learners’ performance and enhances learners’ positive attitude towards Experimental Techniques and Chemistry in general.

Keywords: Impact, Ethnochemistry, Achievement, Attitude, Learning and Experimental Techniques.

I. INTRODUCTION

Chemistry has appealing experimental activities and fruitful knowledge for comprehending useful worldwide natural and manufacturing processes of science and technology important to society. Therefore, Chemistry learners need to transform instructional language or materials that teachers use in the classroom into meaningful representations. The principle aim of this study was to explore the impact of Ethnochemistry on learners’ performance and attitude towards Experimental Techniques as well as attitude of learners’ towards Chemistry in general.
The Ethnochemistry teaching approach brings out all the skills in an individual that can help them in everyday life. These skills include communication and presentation skills, organizational skills, research and inquiry skills, self-assessment and reflection skills, group participation and creativity. The approach further helps scaffold learners to construct their own knowledge while interacting with the environment (Wood Bruner, 1976).

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