Effect of Project Method on the Performance of Students in Agricultural Science in Junior Secondary Schools in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the effect of project method on the performance of students in Agricultural Science in junior secondary school in Bauchi State, Nigeria. The study also carried out with the following objectives to; determine the difference between the performances of students taught Agricultural project method and those taught with conventional method in junior secondary schools in Bauchi State ; examine the extent to which gender difference affect the performance of students taught Agricultural Science using project method in junior secondary school in Bauchi State and compare the performance of students taught Agricultural Science using project method in rural and urban junior secondary school in Bauchi State. Three research question and three null hypotheses had been postulated in line with the stated objectives. The study was conducted using quasi-experimental research design. The study used approximately a target population of 12,380 JSSII students from Bauchi education zone in Bauchi State. As the total of fifty-two (52) students was sampled as experimental group, while sixty-five (65) students would also be sampled for control group making the total of one hundred and seventeen (117) students, that was comprising of seventy-two (72) male and forty-five (45) female students. Data for the study would be collected through the pre-test treatment and post-test using teacher made instrument (Test), which was consist of 30 objective test items and a treatment package. Data collected was analyzed statistically through the use of the describe (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statists of independent sample t-test. At the end. The study found out the significant difference in the performances of students taught Agricultural Science using project method and those taught with conventional method in junior secondary school in Bauchi State among other findings. Based on that, recommendations would be made to that project method should be incorporated into the teaching of Agricultural Science at the secondary school level since it would stimulate students to effectively learn and retain concept presented to them. Researcher would also advocate Teachers to ensure they plan their lessons with equal learning opportunity for both male and female students in junior secondary school in Bauchi State.