Topic: EFFECT OF LEARNING ACTIVITY PACKAGE (LAP) ON STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY

Chapter One

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The study was designed and conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Learning Activity Package (LAP) in influencing students? achievement and retention in Senior Secondary School Biology. Eight research questions and eight null hypotheses guided the study. A Quasi-Experimental Pre-test, Post-test, Non-equivalent Control Group Design was adopted for the study. A sample of 317 SS II biology students, drawn by both purposive and simple random sampling techniques from four co-educational schools in Enugu Educational Zone was used for the study. The four schools were assigned to experimental and control groups respectively. Two intact classes in each school – (one as experimental and the other one as control group) were randomly selected. The experimental and control groups were taught the biology topic (Unit of Life) by the regular biology teachers. Three instruments – Pre-BAT, Post-BAT and Retention Test (which is the same as the Pre-BAT) were developed, duly validated and reliability of equivalence, internal consistency and stability duly established (0.79, 0.83, 0.73 and 0.92 respectively) before using them for data collection. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested at (P < 0.05) using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The result of data analysis showed that: 1. There is a significant difference between the experimental and control group, with the mean achievement and retention scores of the LAP group being significant more than the control group. 2. There is no significant difference in the mean achievement scores of male and female students, but the male students retention test was significantly greater than those of their female counterpart. 3. The interaction effect of LAP and gender on students? mean achievement scores in the post test and mean scores in the retention test were not statistically significant. 4. The interaction effect of LAP and students academic ability levels on students achievement scores in the post test and mean retention scores were statistically significant. A major educational implication of the findings is that the use of LAP does not show any significant difference in the achievement of male and female students. Thus the use of LAP will not only help arrest the problem of male being regarded as high achievers in science-related courses but will also encourage the female students to enroll in such courses among others. Based on these, some recommendations were made which include; that seminars and workshops should be organized by government and relevant professional bodies like STAN to educate and sensitize the teachers on the use of Learning Activity Package as they may not be familiar with it.

1.2 Statement of Problem

The persistent poor achievement of students in Biology as revealed by both research results and WAEC Chief Examiners? Reports calls for concern especially for teachers of Biology that enroll larger number of students. The problem has to a large extent been attributed to ineffective teaching method employed by the teachers – especially lecture teaching method which is teacher-centered. Consequently, there is felt need to improve on the teaching and learning of Biology by exploring the use of some innovative learner centered teaching–learning methods, since it is believed that meaningful learning may be as a result of active participation by students. Although, many studies had been carried out on some innovative methods, like Programmed Instruction and Computer Assisted Instruction methods. Findings have shown that they are student centered and can also enhance learning and achievement, but the problem of large class and non availability of computer systems in most Nigerian classes has made their practicability nearly impossible. Therefore there is still the need to investigate other innovative child-centered method that is affordable, readily available as well as flexible, combing both package learning and practical activities (i.e. minds – on and hands – on). Such a method should enable the teacher to easily diagnose the problems of the individual learner and allows the learners to evaluate themselves, receiving immediate knowledge of result. This calls for the trial of another individualize method such as Learning Activity Package (LAP). Hence, the study was set to find answer to the question: What is the effect of LAP on students? achievement and retention in Biology?

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the use of Learning Activity Package on students? achievement and retention in Biology. Specially, the study sought to: 1. Determine the effect of the LAP on students? achievement and retention in Biology when taught the Unit of Life. 2. Find out the extent gender exerts influence on students? achievement and retention in Biology when taught the Unit of Life. 3. Determine the effect of interaction between the teaching strategy and students? gender on achievement and retention in Biology when taught the unit of life. 4. Determine the effect of interaction between teaching strategy and ability levels on students? achievement and retention in biology when taught the „unit of life?.

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