Impact of Simulation Models on Students’ Achievement and Retention of Cell Division Concept in Colleges of Education in North West, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the NCE 1 students’ achievement and retention of cell division concept in biology when taught using computer simulation models. The research employed Pretest, Posttest and Retention test using one experimental group and one control group.  A pretest was administered before the treatment to establish the equivalence of the experimental and control groups. The subjects in the experimental group were taught using Computer simulation model while those in control group were taught using lecture method.  Cell Division Concept Performance Test (CDCPT) was used to obtain data from 176 NCE I biology students of Federal Colleges of Education in North west Nigeria consisting of  72 male and 104  female ; that made up the sample size using simple random sampling  techniques. The instrument was validated by three PhD holders from the Department of Science Education, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where the reliability coefficient of 0.75 was obtained. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The major findings from the study revealed significant difference between the mean academic performance score of NCE I Biology students taught cell division concepts using computer simulation models and those taught the same concept using lecture method in favour of the experimental group. There is also significant difference in the retention ability of NCE I Biology students exposed to cell Division concepts using computer simulation models and those exposed to the same concept using lecture method in favour of computer simulation model. Based on the findings it was concluded that Students learn Cell Division concepts in biology better when taught using computer simulation model of   instruction at NCE I level. The computer simulation model of instruction affects the academic performance and retention ability of students positively when taught Cell Division concepts in biology better than lecture method. It was therefore recommended that Biology teachers should adopt the use of computer simulation model in teaching topics like Cell Divison at NCE 1 level since the findings revealed its effectiveness in enhancing academic performance and retention of concept learnt.