TELEWAH on ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ ENROLMENT IN PHYSICS

ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ ENROLMENT IN PHYSICS IN PRIVATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN LANG’ATA DIVISION: A CASE OF TWO PRIVATE TERTIARY INSTITUIONS BY TELEWAH MICHAEL MATRIC NUMBER: B.ED/D332/11/12 A Research Project Submitted to the Department of Education in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Bachelor of Education MARIST INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (Constituent College of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa) March, 2015 NAIROBI-KENYA DECLARATION This research project is my original work and has not been submitted in any other University for any academic crediting other than Marist International University College No part of this project should be reproduced without the outright consent of the author or the University (MIUC) Student: Telewah Michael Signature………………………… Date………………………………… This research has been submitted for examination with my approval as the University College Supervisor Supervisor: Rev Br Dr Gandeebo Cyprian Signature………………………… Date………………………………… This project has been accepted by the Head of Department of Education Head of Department of Education Prof Mutua Joash Signature………………………… Date………………………………… ii DEDICATION To God, my late grandmother, my Biological and Religious families iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank God for His protection, blessings and care upon my life My gratitude goes to my District Superior Br Francis Lukong for his invaluable support in prayer and financially I also appreciate in a special way the entire Marist Brothers in the District of West Africa especially our Elder Brothers whose hard work and generosity have brought me this far I extend my deepest appreciation to the superior of Marist International Centre (MIC), Br Ndawala Lawrence, the entire formation team in MIC and my animators, Br Ekene Osuji and Br Etienne Balma, for their helpful contributions towards my academic and religious formation both at MIC and MIUC My heartfelt gratitude goes to my mother, Madam Marcilline Bayagr and my aunt Madam Grace Bayagr, for their care, help and affection With affection I acknowledge my father, Mr Joseph Bayagr, my uncle, Mr Kwabena Bayagr and my siblings: Patrick Bayagr, Grace Bayagr, Fadil Ibrahim, for the various contributions they made in my life Special thanks goes to Br Dr Gandeebo Cyprian for his brotherly care and his supervisory role in this Research Project The success of this work is through his contributions and directions I would like to extend my appreciation to the Deputy Registrar of CUEA for allowing me to carry out this research in CUEA I am indebted to the physics lecturers and students of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and Marist International University College for their participation in this research process I am thankful to all my friends: Br Okoye Anthony, Br Asante Joseph, Br Newton, Br Oscar Amo, Br Pius Tadoh, Fatima Obiyaa, Lucy Kevivi, Frederick Bamfo, Paula Kibuku, Sarah Opiyo, Evelyn Sempui, Sr Anne Mutinda, Kenneth Adjei, Edwinah Jumah and all those I am unable to mention here I thank you all for your encouragement and friendship May God immeasurably reward you iv ABSTRACT The study sought to examine the factors influencing students’ enrolment in physics in private Tertiary institutions in Lang’ata Division The study objectives were: to find out the extent to which interest of students in physics influence enrolment, to examine the role of teaching methodology in low enrolment in physics, to examine the role of parental influence in students’ enrolment in physics, to find out the extent to which availability of teaching and learning materials influence enrolment in physics, to find out the influence of students’ prior achievement in physics in enrolment, to find out the extent to which career related choices influence enrolment in physics, to examine the role of students’ motivation in low enrolment in physics, to establish ways of improving enrolment of physics in Tertiary institutions To ascertain the necessary data for the study, 25 respondents composed of 20 physics students and physics lecturers, were sampled using purposive sampling technique The study employed two data collection instruments, the semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussions The semi-structured interview was designed to collect both quantitative and qualitative data from the student and lecturer respondents The focus group discussion was used to collect qualitative data from students The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 17.0, was used to analyze the quantitative data while the qualitative data was organized according to themes and used to support the quantitative figures The study found that students’ interest, students’ prior achievement in physics, students’ personal motivation, students’ career choices, teaching methodology and parental influences influence students’ enrolment in physics in Tertiary institutions The study also found that low enrolment could be improved through motivating and encouraging students especially those in the secondary schools Table of Contents DECLARATION ii v DEDICATION iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv ABSTRACT v Table of Contents v List of Tables x List of Figures xi ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS xi CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study 1.2 Statement of the Problem 1.3 Objectives of the study 1.3.1 General Objectives 1.4 Research Questions 1.6 Scope and delimitations of the study 1.7 Limitations of the study 1.8 Conceptual Framework 1.9 Theoretical framework .10 1.10 Operational Definition of Terms .11 1.11 Organization of the study 11 CHAPTER TWO 12 LITERATURE REVIEW .12 2.1 Introduction 12 2.2 Causes of low Enrolment in Physics 12 2.3 Students' Interest and Attitude 13 vi 2.4 Career related Choices .14 2.5 The Methods of teaching and learning 15 2.6 Students’ Motivation 17 2.7 Parental Influence .18 2.8 Students' Prior Achievement .20 2.9 Availability of adequate Learning Resources 21 2.10 Summary 23 CHAPTER THREE 24 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 24 3.1 Introduction 24 3.2 Research Design 24 3.3 Target Population 25 3.4 Sample and sampling procedure .25 3.5 Description of Research Instruments 26 3.5.1 Semi-Structured Interview guide 26 3.5.2 Focus Group Discussion 26 3.6 Reliability of the Research Instruments .27 3.7 Validity of the Research Instruments 27 3.8 Data analysis procedures 27 3.9 Ethical consideration 28 CHAPTER FOUR .29 PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS 29 4.1 Introduction 29 4.2 DEMOGRAPHY OF THE RESPONDENTS 30 4.2.1 Gender of Respondents 30 vii 4.2.2 The age of the Respondents .31 4.2.3 The Year of Study of the Students 32 4.2.4 Year(s) of Teaching Experience of the Lecturers 33 4.3 INFLUENCE OF STUDENTS’ INTEREST ON ENROLMENT 33 4.3.1 Do you think students’ interest influence their enrolment in physics? .33 4.3.2 Does personal interest play a role in influencing students to enroll in a course? .34 4.4 INFLUENCE OF TEACHING METHODOLOGY OF PHYSICS ON ENROLMENT 35 4.4.1 Does the teaching methodology of physics influence enrolment in physics? 35 4.4.2 Do teaching methodologies of physics make students to enroll in physics? 36 4.4.3 What teaching methodology of physics appeal to you? 37 4.4.4 What methodology is commonly used in teaching physics? 37 4.4.5 Which methodology is favorable to students? 38 4.5 PARENTAL INFLUENCE ON STUDENTS’ ENROLMENT IN PHYSICS .38 4.5.1 Did your parent(s) influence you to enroll in physics? 38 4.5.2 Do parents influence students to enroll in a course? .39 4.5.3 Do parents determine what students should study in tertiary institutions? 40 4.6 AVAILABILITY OF TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS 42 4.6.1 Do availability of learning resources influence students to enroll in physics? 42 4.6.2 Do inadequate teaching and learning materials lead to low enrolment in physics? .43 4.6.3 Do you have adequate teaching and learning materials in your school? 44 4.7 INFLUENCE OF PRIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENTS ON ENROLMENT 45 4.7.1 Do students’ prior performance in physics influence their enrolment? 45 4.7.2 If you had failed in physics at the high school, would you pursue it at higher levels? 46 4.8 INFLUENCE OF CAREER CHOICES ON ENROLMENT 47 4.8.1 Do students’ career related choices influence enrolment in physics? .47 viii 4.8.2 Do you think your future ambition has influenced what you study in school? .48 4.8.3 Do students career related choice determine what students will study in institutions? 49 4.9 INFLUENCE OF STUDENTS’ PERSONAL MOTIVATION ON ENROLMENT 50 4.9.1 Does students’ personal motivation plays a vital role in enrolment? 50 4.9.2 Does a student enrolment in a course depend on his/her personal motivation? 50 4.10 Summary 52 CHAPTER FIVE .53 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .53 5.1 Introduction 53 5.2 Summary .53 5.3 Conclusion 54 5.3.1 The influence of students’ interest on enrolment in physics .54 5.3.2 The influence of teaching methodology of physics on enrolment 54 5.3.3 The parental influence on students’ enrolment in physics 55 5.3.4 The influence of availability of teaching and learning materials on enrolment 55 5.3.5 The influence of students’ prior achievement in physics on enrolment 55 5.3.6 The extent to which career choices influence enrolment in physics 56 5.3.7 Examine the role of students’ motivation in low enrolment in physics 56 5.3.8 Ways of improving enrolment of physics in tertiary institutions .56 5.4 Recommendations .57 5.4.1 The Ministry of Education 57 5.4.2 School Administration 57 5.4.3 The Parents and the Guardians 57 5.4.4 The Lecturers/Teachers .57 5.4.5 The Students 58 ix 5.5 Suggestions for further research 58 Reference 59 APPENDIXES: 63 APPENDIX A .63 SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR PHYSICS STUDENTS 63 APPENDIX B .70 SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR PHYSICS LECTURERS 70 APPENDIX C .76 GROUP FOCUS DISCUSSION GUIDE 76 APPENDIX D: LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION 78 List of Tables Table 1.1: Students’ enrolment in the Department of Science Education in MIUC .5 x Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do you have adequate teaching and learning materials at school? YES [ ] NO [ ] Section G: Influence of prior achievement of students on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Did your Prior performance in physics influence your enrolment in physics at tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… If you had failed in physics at the secondary school, would you pursue it at higher levels? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section H: Influence of career choices on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Do your career related choices influence your enrolment in Physics? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer 67 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do you think your future ambition has influenced what you study in tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… What you aspire in life? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… What's your ambition for choosing physics? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section I: Influence of students' personal motivation on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Do you think your personal motivation plays a vital role in your enrolling in physics at Tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… In your opinion, does a student enrolment in a course depend on his/her personal motivation? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer 68 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… What is your personal motivation for choosing physics at Tertiary institutions? Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section J: Ways to improve low enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Suggest two ways to improve the low students' enrolment in physics in Tertiary institutions? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… In your opinion, how can you motivate students to enroll in physics in Tertiary institutions? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 69 APPENDIX B SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR PHYSICS LECTURERS Marist International University College P O Box 24450-00502 Nairobi-Kenya Dear Respondent, I am a student of Marist International University College undertaking a research on the factors influencing students' enrolment in physics in private Tertiary institutions in Lang'ata District Due to low enrolment of students in physics in Tertiary institutions, I decided to carry out a research to find out the factors influencing the low enrolment and suggest some ways to improve the enrolment in physics Please, kindly give accurate information that will assist the study to come up with valid and credible results The information you will provide will be highly valued and treated in confidence and used only for academic purpose Thank you, Yours Sincerely 70 Michael Telewah Section A: Demographic Information Instructions: Please, indicate your answer with a tick [√] in the square bracket provided Age: 20 to 25 years [ ] 26 to 30 years [ ] 41 to 45 years [ ] Gender: Male [ ] 46 years above [ 31 to 35 years [ ] 36 to 40 years [ ] ] Female [ ] Year(s) of teaching experience: 1-5 years [ ] 6-10 years [ ] 11-15 years [ ] 16-20 years [ ] Others (please specify): ……………………… Section B: Reasons students not enroll in Physics Instructions: Please, write your answer in the space provided In your opinion, why students enroll in a course in Tertiary institutions? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… What are some of the reasons of low enrolment in Physics? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… What are some of the reasons for low enrolment at tertiary institutions? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section C: Influence of students' interest on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Do you think students’ interest influence their enrolment in Physics? 71 YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… In your opinion, does students’ interest play a role in what they study in Tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section D: Influence of teaching methodology of physics on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Does the teaching methodology of physics influence students’ enrolment in physics? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… What methodologies are used in teaching physics? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Which methodologies are favorable to students? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section E: Parental influence on students' enrolment in physics Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions In your opinion, parents influence students to enroll in a course? 72 YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do parent(s) determine what their children should study in Tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Parents influence on students enrolment of physics at tertiary institutions? Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section F: Availability of teaching and learning materials Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Do you think availability of teaching and learning materials can influence students to enroll in Physics? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do inadequate teaching and learning materials lead to low enrolment in physics? YES [ ] NO [ ] 73 Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Are there enough teaching and learning materials at tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Does every student have access to teaching and learning materials at Tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Section G: Influence of prior achievement of students on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Do students' prior performance in physics influence their enrolment? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… In your opinion, in what way can students' prior achievement in physics influence them to enroll in physics? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section H: Influence of career choices on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Do you think, students career related choice can determine what students will study in tertiary institutions? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer 74 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Does students' career choice influence students' enrolment in physics? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section I: Influence of students' personal motivation on enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions In your opinion, does students' personal motivation plays a vital role in enrolment? YES [ ] NO [ ] Explain your answer ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… To what extent does students' motivation influence their enrolment in physics? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Section J: Ways to improve low enrolment Instructions: Please, tick [√] and answer appropriately the open questions Can you suggest two ways to improve low students' enrolment in physics in Tertiary institutions? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 75 In your opinion, what can be done to motivate students to enroll in physics in Tertiary institutions? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… What changes should be made to improve low enrolment in physics in Tertiary institutions? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… APPENDIX C GROUP FOCUS DISCUSSION GUIDE 1a What makes students want to enroll in a course? b What you think are the causes of low enrolment of students in physics in Tertiary institutions? c What motivated you to choose physics in Tertiary institutions? 2a In your opinion, does interest of students in physics influence enrolment? b Do you think students’ interest determine what students enroll in Tertiary institutions? c What made you to choose physics in Tertiary institutions? 3a Do you think teaching methodology plays a vital role in low enrolment in physics? How? b In your opinion, can teaching methodology influence students’ enrolment in physics? c Do students enroll in a course because of the teaching methodology? 4a Do parents have a role in influencing students’ enrolment in physics? b In what way can parents influence students in enrolling in a course? c Can parent(s) determine what their children should study in Tertiary institutions? 76 5a Do you think teaching and learning materials influence enrolment in physics? b Do you have enough teaching and learning materials for teaching physics in Tertiary institutions? c In what way can inadequate teaching and learning materials influence the enrolment of students in physics? 6a Does students’ prior achievement in physics influence their enrolment in physics? b In your opinion, can a student whose prior performance in physics was poor enroll in physics? c To what extent can prior achievement influence enrolment in physics? 7a Does career related choices influence enrolment in physics? b Do you think students enroll in a course depends on their career choices? c What is your career choice? d How did it influence your choice of subject? 8a Does students’ motivations have an influence in enrolment in physics? b Do you think students enroll in a course due to their personal motivation? c What is your personal motivation for enrolling in physics? 9a What suggestions can be made to improve low enrolment of students in physics in Tertiary institutions? b In what way can students help to improve low enrolment in physics? c What can be the contribution of parents to improve low enrolment in physics? d What can be the contribution of Lecturers to improve low enrolment in physics? 77 APPENDIX D: LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION 78 ... influencing the enrolment of students in physics in Institutions of higher learning The decline in enrolment of students in physics has many consequences including a decrease in the number of people... schools and the curriculum of the Institutions of higher learning of Physics in Kenya Therefore findings of the study informed the Ministry of Education and the Curriculum developers on the factors. .. data of the respondents in the study The second section deals with the influence of students’ interest on enrolment The third section deals with the influence of teaching methodology of physics on