Eradicating Poor Achievement in Basic Science and Technology through Learning Activity Package: How Do Students Behave in Nigeria?

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effects of Learning Activity Package (LAP) teaching method on students’ achievement in basic science and technology with special consideration to the moderating effect of learning styles. A pre-test - post-test quasi-experimental design was adopted for the study. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study for data collection and analysis. The sample for the study comprised sixty-nine (69) students from two (2) co-educational junior secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode local government area of Ogun state, Nigeria. Basic science and technology achievement test (BSAT) and learning styles self-assessment questionnaire were used as instruments in collecting data for the study. Data collected were analysed using ANCOVA and MCA in order to determine the magnitude of students’ post-test achievement scores in basic science and technology. Findings of the study showed a significant main effect of teaching strategy on students’ academic achievement in basic science and technology (F (1, 57) = 8.362, P < 0.05). However, no significant main effect of learning styles on students’ academic achievement in Basic Science and Technology (F (1, 57) = 0.070, P > 0.05) was revealed, neither any significant interaction effects of teaching strategies were found. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Learning Activity Package (LAP) teaching method should be incorporated into the teaching of basic science and technology at the junior secondary school level. Furthermore, Learning Activity Package should be particularly introduced into system approach to instruction in basic science and technology at all levels of teacher education.