BIOLOGY TEACHERS’ ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF VIRTUAL LABORATORY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT

This study examined Biology teachers’ access and utilization of virtual laboratory in secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area. This study adopted four objectives which were to: Examine Biology teachers’ awareness of the access and utilization of a virtual laboratory for teaching in secondary schools Egor L.G.A., Edo State.; Explore the benefits and challenges associated with the use of virtual laboratories in biology education.; Examine the impact of virtual laboratory utilization on students' learning outcomes in biology and Find out the availability of facilities for virtual laboratory in secondary school in Egor L.G.A., Edo State. The study adopted percentage as method of data collection using frequency tables. The result revealed that effective use of virtual laboratory method of teaching Biology and Sciences in general is a practical effort towards producing scientists which our society currently needs most. The biology teacher, principal, students, examination bodies, and all stakeholders in science education should therefore intensify their efforts towards ensuring that this becomes a reality. The study shows that the level of awareness of the use of virtual laboratories among Biology teachers in Ilorin is generally low due to the non-availability of such facilities in most secondary schools. The study recommended that the government at all level should do all within its capacities to promote the development of science by providing virtual laboratories to public secondary school. Biology students should be exposed to physical laboratory to promote and encourage social interaction, active learning, motivation, learning by doing and learning by experience. Virtual laboratory should be used to complement physical laboratory as a mutually beneficial interface between both (laboratories) could impact positively on the learners.