ASSESSMENT OF THE UTILIZATION OF THE INTERNET IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF PHYSICS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the utilization of the internet in the teaching and learning of physics in senior secondary schools at Egor local government in Edo state in Nigeria. Six research questions and three hypotheses were raised in this study. The study attempted to ascertain the level of students’ perceived understanding of physics concepts when online sourced contents such as video simulations and tutorial lessons or videos were used and also to assess the differences in the preference to learn physics concepts using online video content and lessons based on gender. It also assessed the difference in the utilization of online content to teach physics concepts based on school type.

The population of this study consisted of 247 secondary school students from six randomly selected secondary schools in Egor local government area, Edo state. These comprised of two public schools and four private schools. A questionnaire was used to obtain data for the study. Data for the study was analyzed using the mean, standard deviation and t-test statistics. The hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance.

The study revealed that there is a high level of perceived understanding of physics concepts using online video contents and simulations. It also revealed that there is no significant difference in the level of perceived understanding of physics concepts using internet sourced video based content based on gender, it further revealed that there is no significant difference in the utilization of internet based video content and simulation based on school type. It was therefore recommended that Schools should provide e-learning materials that can be accessed by all students online and the government as well as private school owners should prioritize the availability of internet services and infrastructures in schools to motivate individualized learning among students.