SMALL SCALE EXPERIMENT AND STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY

Abstract

This paper considered the Effect of Small Scale Experiment on Students' Retention and Achievement in Chemistry. Chemistry as a practical-oriented subject requires laboratory materials for its effective teaching, learning, and retention. These much needed materials are often in short supply in many secondary schools. The results are that some topics are skipped, some practical topics are taught theoretically instead and or the skills involved are just demonstrated. Demonstration with its merits cannot replace the experience students will have in hands-on-activities. Small scale experiment can be used to teach practical chemistry with small quantity of laboratory chemicals. The sample is 100
senior secondary (SS) II chemistry students drawn from three senior secondary schools in the study area, Enugu North L. G. A. of Enugu State. Two research questions guided the study. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The findings revealed that the experimental group achieved and retained more than the control group.