INQUIRY METHOD AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The selection and usage of proper teaching methods ensures the achievement of any instructional objective. The various teaching methods used by the teachers have a major rule in class, particularly in the dissemination of information to students.
Robert (2023) pointed out that teaching methods comprises the principles and method used for instruction. The choice of teaching methods or strategies to be used depends largely on the information of skill that is being taught and it may also be influenced by the style, aptitude, skills and enthusiasm of the students.
Inquiry method of teaching according to Aina, Adedoyin, Obilo and Ahmadu (2022), is a method of teaching in which the students find answers to questions, problems or riddles raised during the learning processes. It involves probing, finding out, investigating, analyzing, synthesizing, discovering, evaluating, questioning and thinking.
INQUIRY METHOD AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Similarly, Mezieobi, Fubara and Mezieobi (2018), describes inquiry method as an activity-oriented, thought- provoking creative method in which students, out of curiosity and on their own, or under the guidance of the teacher, probe, investigate, and interpret relevant issues and problems with a view to providing solution through reflective thinking and rational decision making which the method develops in the inquirer.
In addition, they further asserts that the inquiry method involves the scientific method of identifying problems, formulating hypotheses, collecting relevant data to authenticate the data, drawing conclusions even if tentatively and developing generalizations, in the utilization of the inquiry method, the teacher or student may introduce a problem which may be difficult, controversial and investigation-oriented.
In order to guide inquiry through a clear definition of the problem, students are made to ask a number of questions related to the identified problem. Alternatively, the teacher should pose questions that would elicit answer or statements from the students and guide the inquiry. The inquiry method and students’ academic performance in secondary schools.
According to Essien (2022) inquiry teaching methods is the method used to help students learn the desire course contents and be able to develop achievable goals in the future.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The poor academic performance of student in Government in Etinan Local Government Area has become a serious problem to teachers, students and parents. The problem of student’s failure in the subject is attributed to number of factors among which include teacher’s method of teaching, student’s attitudes to learning, socio-economic background of parents, and peer influence among others.
Fadella (2010) opined that in determining student’s academic performance, the students themselves, the teachers, the school authorities, parents and the learning environment constitute to the academic performance of the students.
Unfortunately, students in Etinan local government area have performed poorly in government in recent times. This dismal performance in the subject has arose series of question as to what could be the cause of the problem. Consequently, the research study is carried out to investigate the influence of inquiry method on the academic performance of student in Government in Etinan local government area in order to ascertain whether the methods of teaching used in teaching can contribute to student’s poor performance in the subject.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The general purpose of the study was to investigate inquiry method and students’ academic performance in Government in secondary school in Etinan Local Government Area.
Specifically, the study is designed to:
- Investigate the difference in the performance of government students between those taught with inquiry method and those taught the same with conventional method of teaching.
- Examine the difference in the performance of male students from that of female students taught government with inquiry method.
1.4 Significance of the Study
The finding of the study will be of high significant to Government teachers by enabling them to adopt good and effective teaching method that will enhance teaching and learning of the subject in school. The inquiry method and students’ academic performance in secondary schools.
1.5 Research Questions
- What is the difference in the performance of government students between those taught with inquiry method and those taught the same with conventional method of teaching?
- What is the difference in the performance of male students from that of female students when taught government with inquiry method?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
- There is no significant difference in the performance of government students between those taught with inquiry method and those taught the same with conventional method of teaching.
- There is no significant difference in the performance of male students from that of female students when taught government with inquiry method.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
- Time factor: the period for the completion of the study was short and the researcher could not cover all the secondary schools in the study area.
- Financial constraint: Finance available for the study was not enough to support the research in the process of data acquisition.
Operational Definition of Terms
Method: This refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a long term or overall aim.
Academic Performance: This is the level of achievement of student in a particular subject area in schools.
Discussion method of teaching: this refers to a method of teaching where the teacher has a didactic talk with the learner during instructional process.
Teaching: teaching as used in the study refers to the process of delivering instruction to the learners in a pristine way which helps to improve the overall performance of students academically.
Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that when Government student are taught with inquiry method it gives them the opportunity to find answers to questions, problems or riddles raised during the learning processes. However, based on data analysis, it was seen that there is a significant difference in academic performance of students in Government students when taught using inquiry method and from those taught using conventional method. The inquiry method and students’ academic performance in secondary schools.
Again, the use of better method of teaching integrated science by teachers in secondary schools as found in this study, will produce better students in WACE, NABTEB, NECO examinations who are better equipped with adequate intellectual experience and knowledge for learning subjects in our secondary schools. It will also equip them with the necessary practical skills for self employment. This could undoubtedly reduce the high level of employment and poverty in the country.
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