Assessment on Students’ Science Process Skills: A Student- Centred Approach

Year 2013, Volume: 3 Issue: 1a, 24 - 44, 01.05.2013

Catherine Anne S. Balanay Elnor C. Roa

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the scientific skills of the selected second year students of Lugait National High School (LNHS) and Naawan National High School (NNHS) S.Y 2011-2012 on their monitoring of the growth of String beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Fifteen second year students in a biology class from both public high schools were chosen as respondents. They were oriented on the procedures used in bio monitoring as well as the rubrics used in assessing their performance such as setting up the equipment, following procedures, data collection, safety and clean up procedure. The performances of students from both schools were the same in terms of observing the colour and texture of the leaves and both have a very good knowledge in the bio monitoring procedures. But they differ in their accuracy and precision in the measurement of the length of the stem, length and width of the leaves of the bio monitored plant. The LNHS students were more accurate while the NNHS students were more precise. The performance of the selected students of both schools in identifying the colour and texture of the leaves do not differ significantly with the researcher (p>0.05). Results also showed that the selected LNHS students do not differ with the researcher in the measurements of the length of the stem and length and width of the leaves. Among the 5 parameters used in this student-centred approach scientific experiment in bio monitoring of the Phaseolus vulgaris, the selected second year students from both schools were moderately excellent in data collection and excellent in the setting up the equipment, following procedures, safety and precautions and clean up procedure. The student-centred approach doing hands-on activities incorporating inquiry based science teaching to science instruction has significantly improved the students' science process skills

Keywords

scientific skills, bio monitoring, student-centred approach

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