Abstract:
The study was an assessment of basic science teacher's competencies in using simulations and games in schools in Jos - Nigeria. Simulations and games have been found to be effective in the teaching and learning of science. However, it is not clear whether basic science teachers in Jos are competent in using these strategies. Descriptive survey design was used. A questionnaire administered to a sample of sixty basic science teachers drawn from thirty schools was analyzed using percentage. Results showed that even though the effectiveness of simulations and games has been established, yet basic science teachers were not competent in its usage. The strategy was not popular amongst the teachers. The few who had knowledge of the strategies found it difficult to use them in class hence the strategies were not in frequent use. The study recommended that efforts be made by the ministry of education to organize seminars, workshops and conferences to enable teachers acquire the skills and competences for simulations and games. Teachers should enroll for online studies to improve their use of games and simulations. Finally, the study recommended that teaching strategies be made a course to be taken in the first two years of teacher training. |
