Learning difficulties in School Science for Distance Learners at Bangladesh Open University

Abstract

Science is the most important lesson to develop the learners’ analytical skills. The study
focuses on the challenges and barriers of learning in science courses with hands-on
practice. The current research selected 7 Regional Centers (RCs) out of 12 Regional
Centers all over the country. There are 302 learners’ perceptions and attitudes are taken
of six science courses to find out their difficulties. The study uses the indicators as- printed
materials, tutor and tutorial services, audio-visual, shadow teaching, science practical and
learners’ support services. The study encounters that learners 85.8% are not getting
textbooks in time. More than seventy percent of learners identify tutors are not taking
scheduled 20 classes but from FGD tutors complain that learners were not attending the
tutorial classes because tutorials are not compulsory for them. The study finds out that
more than eighty percent of the learners and tutors were not watching the video program
of BOU which are more effective to learn science courses. More than half of the tutors told
that insufficient of the computer lab, apparatus, and learners also identified that. The study
reveals that learners were receiving shadow teaching from tutors and outsiders. It was
perceived that without laboratory experiments the objectives of practical courses cannot be
achieved in other settings. In addition to tutorial sessions, printing text and audio-visual,
BOU authorities should take the step on online courses. University authorities should
monitor for sending textbooks, tutorial sessions and hands-on practice. The authority of
BOU should take feedback from learners of their support services, tutor, tutorials etc.
Based on the suggestions, BOU should take an attempt then it would be a very powerful
weapon for the theory as well as practical courses.