Science Curriculum as a Tool for Improving Students Perception on Global Climatic Change in Nigeria: A Case Study of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the knowledge and perception of students about Climate change in a bid to point out the importance of Curriculum in reshaping the perception and knowledge of students about this concept. It also provided a framework for the curriculum on areas to focus on when developing the contents of the curriculum on Climate change and global warming. The study employed descriptive survey design as three hundred students were randomly selected across six faculties in Obafemi Awolowo University. One instrument was adopted for the study and it was validated and judged reliable with a value of 0.72 using Cronbach Alpha coefficient. The study revealed that the students in the study area have good knowledge of Climate change as revealed by 75.0% of the respondents. It was also revealed that majority of the respondents have the right perception about climate change as revealed by majority of the respondents. Most of the students got the Knowledge about climate change and global warming from Internet (18.9%) and television (18.2%). Respondents also have a high knowledge about the consequences of climate change and they believe that humans be more involved in assisting to reduce adverse effects of climate change. The study concluded that the level of awareness of students on climate change and greenhouse effect in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria is rather low and the level of knowledge and perception of students can be increased by including the concepts in the university Curriculum to effect change in the society.