Improving Biology Students Understanding of Basic Biological Concepts through Diagnostic Testing and Early Tutorial Support for Quality Education; Experience from Dire Dawa University

Abstract

Ethiopia has given great emphasis to education access; but its quality has been claimed to be poor. Regardless of supports and efforts by universities, most newly joining students have limitations of prior concept, English language and studying skills. This study was conducted to identify gaps and improve biology students’ understanding of basic biological concepts through diagnostic testing and early tutorial support. An action-based study was done on first year biology students using diagnostic test followed by early tutorial support before starting normal classes. About 176 (80.733%) of registered students took the pretest. Two sets of one hundred multiple choice questions were prepared for pre and post test from high school biology textbooks on key basic biological concepts and accepted by exam approval committee for its completeness and appropriateness. Pre-test was followed by interactive tutorials for16 hours for whom scored below 50%. Both results were quantified by pre/post gains and calculated as gain-index (Gain-Index= (%Post-test-%Pre-test)/(100-%Pre-test)) to estimate the sought change. About 45% male and 97.91% female students who took the pre-test failed to score above 50%. After tutorial support, 90.77% of students improved their previous score (95.74% out of females and 77.78% out of males). Average gain index of average pre-test (33.41%) and post-test (58.79%) was 0.3812 indicating improvement. It helps them revise basic biological principles. Diagnostic testing and early tutorial support could improve students’ poor knowledge and concept on basic biological topics before students start the course they register. The female students’ result was lower in pre-test; but highly improved after tutorial support compared to males for unknown reasons. This approach would be advisable to implement in all colleges and universities. Further related applied studies should be done to increase educational quality early in their admission and test whether it works for English skill improvements.

Keywords: Action Research, Competency, Ethiopia,  Gain Index,  Higher Education