EFFECT OF VIRTUAL LABORATORY ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF CHEMISTRY STUDENTS IN OGBIA LOCAL AREA, BAYELSA STATE

The study investigated the effect of Virtual Laboratory on the Academic Performance of Chemistry Students in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state”. The study adopted quasi-experimental; employing the pre-test, post-test and non-equivalent control group design with the sample comprising of one hundred and one (101) Senior Secondary school two (SS II) students drawn randomly from two schools out of the twenty-three senior secondary schools in Ogbia Local Government Area educational zone. Both purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used in drawing the samples. Forty Six (46) students each were selected for control and fifty five for experimental group. The study used chemistry practical achievement test for data collections. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated and generated to guide the study. From the results, it was concluded that the study develop a stronger engagement among students and created relationships between teachers and students, the virtual Laboratory teaching method is of great benefit to teaching and learning. It was also found that by the virtual method of teaching, students performed higher, it helps learners to learn independently and show superiority over those students taught by conventional methods. Recommendations were made that chemistry teachers and students’ innovative learning methods should be used when teaching difficult concepts in chemistry. Workshops and seminars should be organized periodically to train chemistry teachers and also for curriculum designers. Compare the outcomes of the methods that emphasized experiential teaching, learning and mentoring with those that taught more on traditional approach.