APPLICATION OF VIRTUAL LABORATORY PACKAGE (VLP) FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING OF CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of using Virtual laboratory package (VLP) in
teaching and learning of chemistry practical in secondary schools in Nigeria. The
researcher uses multi stage sampling technique to randomly select six (6) states out of the six
(6) geo-political zones in Nigeria. Purposive sampling was applied to select one government
owned science school with a functional computer laboratory from each zone, making six (6)
science secondary schools, and the population for the study comprises the chemistry
teachers and students of each selected school (6-teachers and 79-a students).Two research
objectives were formulated, and two research questions were raised, with the corresponding
two null hypotheses. Quantitative method of data collection was adopted for the study, the
data were sourced through administration of achievement test to the students to test their
cognitive achievements and psychomotor skills.The instruments for data collection were
validated by experts in science education to ascertain the content validity of the instruments.
The Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) and Chemistry Virtual Laboratory Package
(CVLPAQ)were pilot tested using test re-test method to establish reliability index. The
reliability index for the achievement testwas established using Pearson Product Moment
Correlation (PPMC), and was found to be 0.76,while the reliability index of theCVLPAQ was
computed using Cronbach Alpha, and was found to be 0.89, the data collected from the
survey questionnaire, and achievement test were analysed using Mean, Standard Deviation
and ANCOVA. Findings from the study include among others; Chemistry Virtual Laboratory
Package (CVLP)was found to be effective in teaching and learning of chemistry practical in
Nigerian secondary schools, thereby, improving the cognitive achievement and
psychomotor skills of the students. Recommendations based on the findings of the study
include among others; Secondary school teachers should adopt and use the VLP software in
teaching and learning of chemistry practical as well as other science and technical subjects,
as it was found to be very useful and effective in enhancing students' cognitive achievement
and psychomotor skills.