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Efficiency of Practical-Based Education in Preparatory Schools, the Case of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Received: 7 April 2017    Accepted: 5 May 2017    Published: 5 June 2017
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Abstract

This research was carried out in four preparatory schools (Shambu, Hareto, Fincha and Amuru) out of 10 senior schools in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone. The study was designed to investigate the existing practical-based learning practices and systems of the preparatory schools as well as to provide baseline information awaking concerned bodies for future successful practically supported education. Among the school societies; directors of the schools, teachers and students were incorporated in the sample. Random sampling method was used to select students and teachers for questionnaire and interview, and a total of 200 students and 40 teachers were taken. This investigation showed that, there were opportunities to promote practical-based educational activities. But there was no good system of implementing a practical-based education in the schools under study. The reasons were: the absence (limitation) of materials, arranged programs for practical activities, assigned human resource for handling the practical activities, interest of the teachers and attention given to practical-based education by the management bodies. According to the finding, the teachers working in the target schools have awareness about the importance of practical-based learning that promote acquisition of long lasting knowledge and skill at preparatory school level. But, in practice the teachers didn’t make practical activities the part of their teaching methods as well as assessment methods. There were almost no functional laboratories and limited trial to promote practical-based education in the schools. Even the operating laboratories using available materials depend on the good will of the subject teacher to shoulder the load in addition to the regular class loads. Most of the students in the schools reflected that they were interested in practical-based education, but the door was not open for them to undertake practical learning in their context. For the failure they complained the management system of the schools and interest of the teachers. The educational offices at all levels, school officials, teachers and other concerned bodies need to cooperate to promote practical-based education at preparatory school level. This may need planning for practical activities, training teachers, hiring laboratory technicians (attendants), fulfilling facilities and programming practical activities.

Published in Advances in Sciences and Humanities (Volume 3, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ash.20170303.11
Page(s) 14-22
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Practical-Based Learning, Active Learning, Laboratory Activity, Knowledge

References
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[4] Colby, J., Witt, M. and Associates, (2000). Defining Quality in Education, Education Section, Programme Division, UNICEF New York, Document No. UNICEF/PD/ED/00/02.
[5] Confrey, J. (1994). A Theory of Intellectual Development for the Learning of Mathematics. FLM Publishing Association: 14, 3.
[6] Demircioğlu, G. &Yadigaroğlu, M. (2011). The Effect of Laboratory Method on High School Students’ Understanding of the Reaction Rate, Western Anatolia Journal of Educational Sciences, 509-516.
[7] Education Funding Agency (EFA) Global Monitoring Report 2005. (2004). Education for All: The Quality Imperative, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
[8] Ehrenberg, G., Brewer, J., Gamoran, A., Willms, D. (2001). Class Size and Student Achievement. American Psychological Society, 2, 1, 1-30.
[9] Fatade, O., Mogari, D., Arigbabu, A. (2013). Effect of problem-based learning on senior secondary school students’ achievements in further mathematics, Acta Didactica Napocensia, ISSN 2065-1430, 6, 3, 27-44.
[10] Goodman, J., Sands, M., Coley, J. (2015). America’s Skills Challenge: Millennials and the Future, Educational Testing Service Center for Research on Human Capital and Education.
[11] Guy, C., Bill, L., Rob, W. (2010). How the learning sciences could transform practical and vocational education, University of Winchester and Edge Foundation.
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[17] Kilpatrick, J. (1987). What constructivism might be in mathematics education. In Bergeron J. C., Herscovics, N., Kieran, C. (Eds.). Proc. 11th Int. Conf. Psychol. Math. Educ. (PME11) I: 3–27.
[18] Kornfeld, M. (2010). The effects of class size on student academic achievement in a rural state, Dissertation, The University of Vermont.
[19] McKee, E., Williamson, M., Ruebush, E. (2007). Effects of a Demonstration Laboratory on Student Learning. J SciEducTechnol, Springer Science+Business Media.
[20] Millar, R. (2004).The role of practical work in the teaching and learning of science,University of York, Department of Educational Studies.
[21] Millar, R. and Abrahams, I. (2009) Practical work: making it more effective, Getting Practical, SSR, 91 (334).
[22] Hazzan, O., Lapidot, T., Ragonis, N. (2014) Guide to Teaching Computer Science: An Activity-Based Approach (2nd Ed.). Springer London Heidelberg New York.
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    Adugna Mosissa. (2017). Efficiency of Practical-Based Education in Preparatory Schools, the Case of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Advances in Sciences and Humanities, 3(3), 14-22. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20170303.11

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    Adugna Mosissa. Efficiency of Practical-Based Education in Preparatory Schools, the Case of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Adv. Sci. Humanit. 2017, 3(3), 14-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ash.20170303.11

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    AMA Style

    Adugna Mosissa. Efficiency of Practical-Based Education in Preparatory Schools, the Case of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Adv Sci Humanit. 2017;3(3):14-22. doi: 10.11648/j.ash.20170303.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ash.20170303.11,
      author = {Adugna Mosissa},
      title = {Efficiency of Practical-Based Education in Preparatory Schools, the Case of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia},
      journal = {Advances in Sciences and Humanities},
      volume = {3},
      number = {3},
      pages = {14-22},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ash.20170303.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ash.20170303.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ash.20170303.11},
      abstract = {This research was carried out in four preparatory schools (Shambu, Hareto, Fincha and Amuru) out of 10 senior schools in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone. The study was designed to investigate the existing practical-based learning practices and systems of the preparatory schools as well as to provide baseline information awaking concerned bodies for future successful practically supported education. Among the school societies; directors of the schools, teachers and students were incorporated in the sample. Random sampling method was used to select students and teachers for questionnaire and interview, and a total of 200 students and 40 teachers were taken. This investigation showed that, there were opportunities to promote practical-based educational activities. But there was no good system of implementing a practical-based education in the schools under study. The reasons were: the absence (limitation) of materials, arranged programs for practical activities, assigned human resource for handling the practical activities, interest of the teachers and attention given to practical-based education by the management bodies. According to the finding, the teachers working in the target schools have awareness about the importance of practical-based learning that promote acquisition of long lasting knowledge and skill at preparatory school level. But, in practice the teachers didn’t make practical activities the part of their teaching methods as well as assessment methods. There were almost no functional laboratories and limited trial to promote practical-based education in the schools. Even the operating laboratories using available materials depend on the good will of the subject teacher to shoulder the load in addition to the regular class loads. Most of the students in the schools reflected that they were interested in practical-based education, but the door was not open for them to undertake practical learning in their context. For the failure they complained the management system of the schools and interest of the teachers. The educational offices at all levels, school officials, teachers and other concerned bodies need to cooperate to promote practical-based education at preparatory school level. This may need planning for practical activities, training teachers, hiring laboratory technicians (attendants), fulfilling facilities and programming practical activities.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Efficiency of Practical-Based Education in Preparatory Schools, the Case of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia
    AU  - Adugna Mosissa
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    AB  - This research was carried out in four preparatory schools (Shambu, Hareto, Fincha and Amuru) out of 10 senior schools in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone. The study was designed to investigate the existing practical-based learning practices and systems of the preparatory schools as well as to provide baseline information awaking concerned bodies for future successful practically supported education. Among the school societies; directors of the schools, teachers and students were incorporated in the sample. Random sampling method was used to select students and teachers for questionnaire and interview, and a total of 200 students and 40 teachers were taken. This investigation showed that, there were opportunities to promote practical-based educational activities. But there was no good system of implementing a practical-based education in the schools under study. The reasons were: the absence (limitation) of materials, arranged programs for practical activities, assigned human resource for handling the practical activities, interest of the teachers and attention given to practical-based education by the management bodies. According to the finding, the teachers working in the target schools have awareness about the importance of practical-based learning that promote acquisition of long lasting knowledge and skill at preparatory school level. But, in practice the teachers didn’t make practical activities the part of their teaching methods as well as assessment methods. There were almost no functional laboratories and limited trial to promote practical-based education in the schools. Even the operating laboratories using available materials depend on the good will of the subject teacher to shoulder the load in addition to the regular class loads. Most of the students in the schools reflected that they were interested in practical-based education, but the door was not open for them to undertake practical learning in their context. For the failure they complained the management system of the schools and interest of the teachers. The educational offices at all levels, school officials, teachers and other concerned bodies need to cooperate to promote practical-based education at preparatory school level. This may need planning for practical activities, training teachers, hiring laboratory technicians (attendants), fulfilling facilities and programming practical activities.
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Author Information
  • Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Wollega University, Shambu, Ethiopia

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