Culture of peace and care for the Planet Earth as predictors of students’ understanding of chemistry concepts

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Date
2016
Authors
Okafor, N
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI), Hacettepe University, Turkey.
Abstract
This study focused on how culture of peace and care for the planet earth variables predicted public coeducational secondary school students understanding of chemistry concepts in Anambra State of Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study. It was a survey and correlational research designs that involved sample of 180 drawn from six schools through three-stage sampling procedures. Culture of Peace and Care for the Planet Earth Questionnaire (CPCPEQ) and Chemistry Understanding Test (CUT) were used for data collection. Their validity and reliability were determined using Cronbach alpha and Kuder-Richardson formula 20 which gave indices of r=.71 and r= 0.78 respectively. Linear regression and bivariate correlation analyses as well as One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used in data analysis. The results showed that for culture of peace, tolerance significantly predicted higher chemistry concepts scores while social movement significantly predicted lower concepts scores on chemistry understanding test. On care for the planet earth, adjusting thermostat significantly predicted higher scores while saving water significantly predicted lower scores on chemistry understanding test. The study recommended setting- up of Visionary Chemists for Environment and Peace Culture (VCEPC) in all schools that would sensitize students on how to shun hostility, indoctrination and embracing effective methods of waste disposal. It concludes that everybody should go green, plant more trees, and promote mutual understanding, tolerance, peaceful co-existence and friendly environments as fundamental tips of peace culture and care for the planet earth that foster meaningful understanding of chemistry concepts among secondary school students.
Description
Keywords
Scores , Waste control , Tolerance , Understanding Test
Citation
Okafor, N. (2016). Culture of peace and care for the planet earth as predictors of students’ understanding of chemistry concepts. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 8(1); 36-53. A Publication of World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI), Hacettepe University, Turkey. .Available online @ international.org/index.php/IJCI/issue/view/3