An exploration on applied experiments in natural science education
Benkosi Madlela
Abstract
The study explored the application of experiments in natural science education. An interpretivist research philosophy guided the data collection process and it allowed the researcher to use a qualitative research approach. This approach made it possible for the researcher to go to schools and understood the phenomenon from the participants’ point of view and experiences. Participants had detailed information as they were the ones who applied experiments on a daily basis as they conducted their duties. The case study design enabled the researcher to focus on five schools and studied them in-depth to generate rich information for the study. Findings showed that experiments are an effective instructional method that motivated learners and enhanced their understanding of scientific concepts. They improved learners’ participation and attitudes towards learning science. Findings also showed that the application of experiments in NS faced challenges such as shortage of laboratories, apparatus, equipment, materials and chemicals. Other challenges included large classes and less time allocation for science in the time table. The study recommended that the Ministry of Basic Education, schools and stakeholders should build adequate laboratories and fully equip them with necessary resources. If there are no materials teachers should improvise with resources available in their local environments to conduct experiments. Schools in collaboration with the Ministry should train science teachers and equip them with skills and knowledge of designing and implementing experiments or improvising if there are shortages of resources. Schools should use educational technologies in the application of experiments in natural science subjects.
Keywords
experiments, education, applied, science
Author information & Contribution
Dr Benkosi Madlela is Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg. Email: benkosimadlela@gmail.com
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set by the University of Johannesburg. The conduct of this study has been approved and given relative clearance(s) by the Department of Basic Education.
Data and Materials Availability
The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
AI Declaration
AI tools were not used in writing this paper.
Notes
Acknowledgement
References
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Cite this article:
Madlela, B. (2025). An exploration on applied experiments in natural science education. International Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 6(2), 188-209. https://doi.org/10.53378/ijemds.353210
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International License.
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