Impact of Laboratory Based Teaching on Conceptual Understanding of Biology Students at Secondary Level

Abstract

Traditional lecture based method in Biology has failed to grasp students’ attention and comprehension. Conceptual understanding and student engagement in Biology can be achieved through effective teaching strategy. Laboratory teaching in Biology offers students the opportunity to actively engage with the subject matter, promoting a deeper understanding of concepts and improving critical thinking skills. The current study aims to examine the effect of laboratory based teaching on students’ conceptual understanding in the subject of Biology. By studying the effects of laboratory based teaching in Biology, this research not only contributes to the existing body of knowledge in Biology education but also provides valuable insights for educators and curriculum developers on effective teaching strategies in the subject of Biology. The study is quantitative in nature. Pre-test post-test experimental design was used in this research. The experiment was conducted in government girls’ higher secondary school in Peshawar District for 6 weeks. Total 60 students of 9^th grade participated in the experiment. Control and experimental groups consisted of 30 students each. Both groups were equal in age, academics and other characteristics. The findings of this study provide compelling evidence for the effectiveness of laboratory-based teaching in the subject of Biology. The results indicated that students who are exposed to such teaching method demonstrated improved academic performance and display more positive attitude towards learning in the subject of Biology. Educators and curriculum developers can benefit from these insights by incorporating laboratory-based teaching approaches into Biology curricula that will ultimately enhance the learning experience for students. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the integration of laboratory-based teaching method should be prioritized to maximize student comprehension and cultivate a genuine passion for the subject.