An Investigation into the Selection of Teaching Methods and Factors Influencing the Selection: A Case of Science Teachers of Berekum Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated some teaching methods used by Science teachers and factors influencing the selection of the teaching method, in the Berekum Municipality, Ghana. The study adopted a descriptive research survey with a 34 sample size composed of Science teachers from the public and private Senior High Schools in the Berekum Municipality. An adapted questionnaire, which was validated using Cronbach's Alpha reliability test with an alpha value of .73 was used to obtain data for the study. The results revealed that the demonstration and observation teaching methods were the most frequently used teaching methods, whiles the generative teaching method was rarely used by the Science teachers. The study findings revealed that gender, class size, examination, professional training, classroom environment, curriculum and teaching experience were the most important factors influencing the selection of teaching methods by the Science teachers. Also, students' personality, students' self-concepts and cultural factors were rated as moderately important factors influencing the selection of teaching methods. However, students' interest, in-service training, student-teacher rapport, ICT and TLM factors were rated as slightly important factors that influence the selection of teaching methods by the Science teachers. While the findings revealed that the selections of teaching methods were not gender-related, the factors influencing the selection of the teaching methods were gender-related. The study recommends that in-service training and workshop should be organised for the Science teachers on how to factor student interest in the selection of their teaching methods.