EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTIVIST INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND RETENTION OFAUTOMECHANICS STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL COLLEGES

P. I. Okoye, T. I. Eze

Abstract


The inability of automechanics students to perform excellently well in examinations has been attributed to use of inappropriate instructional method. Hence, the study investigated the effect of constructivist instructional method on academic performance and retention of automechanics students in technical colleges in Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study was a non randomized quasi experimental research design. The population was 121 National Technical College II (NTC II) students offering automechanics
trade. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four intact classes in technical colleges from different Local Government Areas of the State. A sample size of 88 was studied. The instrument for data collection was Automechanics Performance Test (APT) which contained 40 objective questions. Three experts validated the instrument. The reliability of the instrument was established through test-retest method using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, which yielded 0.75 reliability coefficient. Mean was used to
analyze data relating to research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Both experimental and control groups were pre-tested and taught by their regular teachers for four weeks using the lesson plans prepared by the
researcher. A post-test was administered immediately after teaching, followed by a delayed post-test after two weeks to ascertain the retention level of the students. Findings revealed that students taught automechanics using constructivist instructional method performed better with higher post-test scores than those taught with lecture method. Based on the findings, it was concluded that constructivist instructional method could enhance students' academic performance and retention in automechanics. Hence, it was recommended among others that automechanics teachers should use constructivist instructional method to enable students learn and retain concepts for improved academic
performance.

Keywords: Constructivist Instructional Method, Automechanics, Academic Performance and Retention.


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