IMPACT OF PROBLEM-SOLVING AND DISCOVERY STRATEGIES ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND ATTITUDE, RETENTION IN GENETIC CONCEPT AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ZARIA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abdurahaman Mahmud, A. I. Usman, S. B. Olorukooba, S. S. Bichi

Abstract


This study investigated the impact of problem-solving and discovery strategies on attitude, retention and academic performance in genetic concepts among secodnary school students in Zaria, Nigeria. The research design for the study is Quasi-experimental and control group involving pretest and posttest. The population of the study consists of 527, (264 male and 263 female) students. Simple random sampling technique inform of balloting method was used to select three schools out of five co-educational schools. A sample of three hundred and forty-five (345) secondary school students consisting of 182 male and 163 female students were randomly selected and used for the study. The sample was divided into two groups – experimental and control groups. Both groups underwent pre-test, treatment and post-test. Two instruments were used for gathering data, Genetic Performance Test (GPT) with reliability co-efficient of r=0.87 and Students’ Attitude to Genetics Questionnaire (SAGQ) with reliability co-efficient of r=0.79. One statistical tool – Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used for analysing the data gathered at P≤0.05 level of significance. Findings reveal that students taught by problem-solving and discovery strategies performed better than those taught by conventional lecture method. Also from the mean scores of problem solving have 25.86 while discovery has 26.08 which is greater than the that of problem solving impact in enhancing students academic performance in genetics. The same result was obtained in there retention ability and atitude change however, also gender did not show any difference in performance in all the two teaching strategies. Based on the finding recommendation were made one of which emphases biology teachers to use problem solving and discovery strategies to improved students academic performance in genetics. More especially the use of discovery strategy.


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