Browsing by Author "Mahega, Seni"

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    The influence of participatory teaching methods on students’ attitudes towards learning physics in secondary school in Bagamoyo district
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Mahega, Seni
    The study investigated the influence of participatory teaching methods on students’ attitudes towards learning Physics in secondary schools. Specifically, the study was guided by three objectives, namely: Assess the attitude of students in learning Physics; determine whether or not participatory method has an influence on students’ attitudes towards learning Physics and to examine the perceptions of teachers and students on the use of participatory method in teaching and learning Physics. The study used mixed method approach using concurrent embedded strategy. The study involved two secondary schools randomly sampled from Bagamoyo district. The sample had 189 respondents who included 182 students and 7 Physics teachers. The data were collected through students’ questionnaires administered to students before and after being exposed to participatory methods of teaching in the experimental group. Interviews were used to collect data from teachers. Classroom observation checklists were other methods of data collection used. Quantitative data were analysed using computer Software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The findings revealed that students had negative attitudes towards studying the Physics subject. The study also revealed that participatory teaching methods had greater influence on changing the attitudes of students positively. Moreover, the study established that teachers and students had positive perceptions towards the use of participatory methods in teaching and learning process, but rarely or did not use it. From the findings, the researcher recommends that the use of participatory methods in teaching and learning Physics should be employed effectively in the teaching and learning process in order to enhance students’ positive attitudes towards studying Physics. In line with these findings, the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training has to ensure that teachers are given regular in-service training to advance their professional competence in Physics pedagogy.