The Ghana Science Society (GSA) in Cape Coast organized a workshop to empower Biology and Mathematics teachers of Senior Secondary Schools (SHS) in the Central District with modern teaching methods to enhance academic outcomes.
The session taught teachers how to use 21st century skills and technology to prepare students to become critical and creative thinkers, communicate effectively and develop leadership qualities.
The workshop, which is supported by the University of Cape Coast’s (UCC) College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences (CANS), was also aimed at reversing deteriorating performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses across all schools.
More than 50 teachers were taken through topics such as “Mendelian Genetics,” “Genetic Diversity,” “Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Diagrams in a Biology Session” while the Maths session focused on “Integration,” “Vectors,” “Flipping,” and “Statistics” and “Mechanics”.
Professor Michael Adenorte, President, GAS, UCC Chapter, noted that the workshop was in line with the Society’s mandate to advance the study of science in Ghana and support the government in training high-quality human resources at the secondary and tertiary levels.
He said the use of ICT in teaching biology and mathematics enhanced teaching and learning as students were able to better visualize biological and mathematical concepts and ideas, citing animation and multimedia.
“Students can explore and make discoveries using games, simulations and digital tools. Teachers can enhance learning and bring concepts to life through engaging and interactive media.
“For example, teaching mathematics which some think is an abstract subject can be made friendly by making use of some ICT paradigms,” he said.
Professor Adinurti noted that dwindling investment in science education coupled with current economic difficulties had a serious impact on the development of the field.
However, he urged teachers to be innovative and not allow the situation to influence their delivery.
We must take advantage of the appropriate technology. The fact that we do not have all the resources does not mean that we cannot train our students to compete anywhere in the world.
He remarked, “If you can handle most of the things around you that are not expensive and easily accessible, it will do us a great deal.”
Professor Adinurti hoped the workshop would have an impact on teachers’ performance.
Professor Emmanuel Essel, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, UCC, and facilitator at the workshop, noted that most teachers shied away from teaching certain subjects because they were not good in those areas, or they were limited by time.
“The area is mostly with a mechanics section that has something to do with physics, and so if the teacher isn’t very good on the physics side, they might be tempted to skip that,” he noted.
He added, “Students at WASSCE have not tried many areas and so we have to make sure that teachers have a good grounding in order to be able to teach students.”
Some participants indicated that the workshop would help them transform their students in and out of the classroom.
Mr. Douglas Aidoo, a biology teacher at Murree Senior Secondary School, said he was equipped with new skills and strategies to improve his approach to teaching, but lamented the lack of logistics at his school.
“Biology is practical and we need a lot of logistics to make it practical. They encouraged us to use animations and videos but we are lacking in some of those things but we will do our best.”
He urged the association to organize the course to enhance their teaching skills.
Mr. Kofi Foley-Mensah of Methodist Senior High School described the workshop as eye-opening given the new strategies they were exposed to.
However, he expressed his challenges with the limited hours of contact they had with the students.
“If I’m going to do all this practical stuff in two hours, how can a class of about 70 students get by?” He expressed his regret and called for extending the semester to include more subjects.