Effects of Inquiry Teaching Method on Students’ Performance in Bricklaying, Blocklaying and Concreting Trade In Technical Colleges Of Gombe State Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the effects of inquiry teaching methods on students’ performance in bricklaying, Blocklaying and concreting trade in technical colleges of Gombe State Nigeria.  The population of the study is made up of 180 subjects while 50 NTC II BBC students made up the sample for the study. Multistage sampling technique was used for the study. The subjects were separated into two groups; the experimental group (N= 28) and the control group (N=22). The study adopted pretest, posttest, quasi-experimental and control group design. The topics taught were foundation of building construction and bonding concepts and skills. Two instruments, specifically Bricklaying, Blocklaying and Concreting Achievement Test (BBCAT) and Bricklaying, Blocklaying and Concreting Practical Performance Test (BBCPPT) were used for data collection. Five research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Covariates (ANCOVA) at 0.05 alpha level. The findings showed that (i) There is a significant difference in the performance of students taught Bricklaying, Blocklaying and concreting using inquiry and demonstration teaching methods, There is no significant difference between male and female Bricklaying, Blocklaying and concreting students’ performance F, (df =1, 50) =0.1420, p >0.05, thus the computed p-value (0.707) is, > 0.05 level of significant. (iii) There is no significant interaction effect of teaching methods and gender on students’ performance F (df = 2, 50) = 0.516, p >0.05, thus the computed p –value (0.599) is > 0.05 level of significant. Recommendations based on the findings showed that inquiry teaching method improved students ‘performance. The use of activity based methods in teaching and learning of Bricklaying, Blocklaying and concreting should be given priority. On-the-job training for technical teachers in form of seminars, workshops and conferences should be organized on how to use inquiry teaching method for teaching Bricklaying, Blocklaying and concreting. There should be proper supplies of facilities, tools and equipment, necessary for teaching Bricklaying, Blocklaying and concreting trade effectively.