EFFECT OF GENDER AND DEPARTMENT ON THE DRAWING AND OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BIOLOGY

ABSTRACT

This study of the observational and drawing skills of secondary school students in Biology, sought to find out whether or not, gender, class or department and type of school influence students’ observational and drawing skills. A total of two hundred and ten senior secondary school students took a test designed by the investigator. They consisted of 85 males and 125 females, 75 science students and 135 from other department (Art & Commercial), two private and four public schools.

The schools were selected from Ilorin South Local Government within Ilorin Metropolis. Using the mean scores and t-test statistical test to analyze the students’ scripts, the study reveal that the gender, class or Department (Science, Art & Commercial) and type of school (Private or public) do not have any significant influence on the observational and drawing skills of the senior secondary school Biology students. The researcher therefore recommended that Biology teachers should direct their teaching toward the development of scientific skills (observational and drawing skills) in senior secondary schools.