IMPACT OF FIELD-TRIP STRATEGY ON PERFORMANCE IN ECOLOGY AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY STUDENTS IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Ugwu Louis, Jatau Alexander, Prof. I.a. Isa & Prof. S.S. Bichi

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the Impact of the Field-Trip Strategy on Performance in Ecology among Secondary Biology Students in Katsina State, Nigeria. Two objectives, two research questions, and two null hypotheses were used for the study. The study employed a quasi-experimental design involving pretest, posttest, experimental, and control groups as described by Kerlinger (1973). The population comprises SS II students from the nine schools. The total number of SS II students is one thousand one hundred and sixty-four (1,164) comprising seven hundred and ninety-two (792) males and three hundred and seventy-two (372) females. Out of the nine schools, two schools were randomly selected and labeled Experimental and Control Groups. The Experimental Group (EG) was exposed to field-trip strategy and comprised 134 students while the Control Group (CG) were taught ecology concept using the lecture method and had 78 students, bringing the total sample to 345. The instrument used for data collection is Ecology Performance Test (EPT). The instrument was validated by experts in the Department of Science Education, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. The instruments were pilot tested. The reliability of the instrument was 0.72.  Findings revealed among others that a significant difference exists among students taught ecology concepts using field-trip when compared to those taught using the lecture method. It was, therefore, recommended that biology teachers in secondary schools in Katsina State, Nigeria, should be encouraged through sponsorship to attend seminars, and workshops and if possible sponsored for further studies on how to effectively utilize field-trip strategy.

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