ENHANCING SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE THROUGH PUZZLE-BASED LEARNING STRATEGY IN BIOLOGY IN WUKARI METROPOLIS

Umoru Ena Susan, Adejoh Musa James, Iji Clement O.

Abstract


The study was designed to ascertain the use of instructional PBLS in enhancing student`s attitude towards the learning of Biology. Two research questions were asked to guide the study while two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The design employed for the study was quasi-experimental of non-randomized pre-test post-test control group type. The sample size for the study was 210 out of a population of 2,180 of 2015/2016 academic session. SS1 was sampled through purposive and simple random sampling techniques. The sample formed the two intact classes from two co-educational schools in Wukari metropolis. The sample size was assigned to experimental and control group.  Data was collected using Students` Attitude towards Ecology Inventory (SAEI). SAEI was subjected to reliability test using Cronbach Alpha and this yield a coefficient of 0.63 Data was analysed using descriptive statistic of mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while ANCOVA was used to test the formulated hypotheses. Findings from the study revealed that puzzle based-learning strategy had a significant effect on students’ attitude (P=0.00<0.05). There was no significant difference between the mean attitude rating of male and female students in the experimental group (P=.108>0.05). Based on the findings, it was recommended that curriculum planners should incorporate PBLS into Biology curriculum and that Biology teachers should be encouraged to use it in their regular teaching as it enhances students’ attitude.


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References


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