Effects of Computer-Simulation, Field-Trip and Expository Strategies on Gender and Retention of Basic Science Students using, the Concept of Environmental-Pollution in Owerri

Abstract

This study investigated Effects of Computer-Simulation, Field-Trip and Expository Strategies on gender and Retention of Basic Science students taught the concept of Environmental-Pollution in Owerri, Imo State. A research question and hypothesis guided the study. Quasi-experimental; non-equivalent Control group precisely, Pre-test, Post-test Control group design was used. Population was 3000 JSS1 students of 2020/2021 academic year. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 450 JSS1 students from nine schools out of 15 coeducational schools. Researcher developed instrument entitled Basic Science Achievement Test on Environmental-Pollution (BSAT) was validated with reliability Coefficient of 0.72 determined using Kuder-Richardson Formula 12(K-R 21) was used for data collection. Intact classes in the selected schools were assigned as Experimental groups using Computer-Simulation, Field-Trip strategy and Control group using Expository strategy, respectively. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer research question while Analysis of Covariance was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 F level. Results showed that, mean scores of female students taught Environmental-Pollution using Computer-Simulation, Field-Trip and Expository strategy was greater than that of male students taught using the same strategy. There was significant difference between the mean retention scores of male and female Basic Science students taught Environmental-Pollution using the same strategy. The significant difference was in favour of male students taught using Expository strategy. Based on these findings recommendations were made among others that, Field-Trip, Computer-Simulation and Expository strategies should be used to teach the concept of Environmental-pollution. Female participation in Basic Science lessons should be encouraged in Owerri Education zone, the strategies show significant to gender difference in students’ retention in the zone.