THE EFFECT OF DEMONSTRATION METHOD ON THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MINNA METROPOLIS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Social Studies and humanities are offered by an integrative approach designed to improve citizenship competences. Social Studies in the school program consisted of findings of like anthropology, archeology, economics, geography, philosophy, law, psychology, political science, history, religion and sociology.
On the other hand, demonstration method refers to the type of teaching method in which the teacher is the principal actor while the learners watch with the intention to act later. Here the teacher does whatever the learners are expected to do at the end of the lesson by showing them how to do it and explaining the step-by-step process to them (Ameh, Daniel and Akus, 2007).
Mundi (2006) described it as a display or an exhibition usually done by the teacher while the students watch with keen interest. He further added that, it involves showing how something works or the steps involved in the process. Some of the advantages of this method as outlined by Olaitan (1984) and Mundi (2006) include: – It saves time and facilitate material economy; the method is an attention inducer and a powerful motivator in lesson delivery; students receive feedback immediately through their own products; it gives a real-life situation of course of study as students acquire skills in real-life situations using tools and materials; it help to motivate students when carried out by skilled teachers and it is good in showing the appropriate ways of doing things. Conventional lecture method is a common strategy teachers employ in the teaching of agricultural science. It is also referred to as talk and chalk or textbook method (Gbamaja, 1991).
In the course of employing the method, the teacher dominates the teaching with very little participation on the part of the learners. Here the teacher is seen as the repository of all knowledge while the students are passive recipients of knowledge transmitted by the teachers in the process of learning. The method has the advantage of covering a wider area within a short time but it is not student centered and students do not gain mastery of concepts.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
What really instigated the study on the effect of demonstration method on the academic achievement of social studies students in junior secondary schools in Minna metropolis is as a result of poor academic performance of student in both the internal and external examination. Several approaches have been installed to improve the academic performance of students in social studies but most of the effort seems irrelevant. One of the factors pointed out that may affect the academic performance of students is teaching method. It is to this regard that the researcher desired to examine the effect of demonstration method on the academic achievement of social studies students in Junior
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The main aim of the research work is to determine the effect of demonstration method on the academic achievement of social studies students in Junior.
1.3.1 Objectives of the study
The specific objectives of the study are:
1. To determine the relationship between demonstration method and students achievement in social studies in junior secondary schools.
2. to determine difference in academic achievement of student under demonstration method based on gender
3. to compare students academic achievement in social studies under demonstration method of teaching and other methods of teaching
4. to investigate on the factors affecting the academic performance of students in social studies
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:
1. What is the relationship between demonstration method and students achievement in social studies in junior secondary schools?
2. What is the difference in academic achievement of student under demonstration method based on gender?
3. What is the difference in students’ academic achievement in social studies under demonstration method of teaching and other methods of teaching?
4. What are the factors affecting the academic performance of students in social studies?
1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis 1
H0: There is no significant relationship between demonstration method and students achievement in social studies in junior secondary schools
H1: There is significant relationship between demonstration method and students achievement in social studies in junior secondary schools
Hypothesis 2
H0: There is no significant difference between students who are taught by demonstration and those who are lectured.
H1: There is significant difference between students who are taught by demonstration and those who are lectured
Hypothesis 3
H0: Gender does not influence students’ academic performance in social studies for those who were taught by demonstration and those that were lectured
H0: Gender influences students’ academic performance in social studies for those who were taught by demonstration and those that were lectured
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The study will be significant in the following ways:
1. the study will look at demonstration method and lecture method and compare the outcome of the academic performance of students
2. the study will help all the secondary schools in Minna metropolis in determining the most effective teaching method for academic achievement in social studies
3. the study will service as a repository of information for other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic
4. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge in this field of study and provide a basis for further research
1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY
The study on the effect of demonstration method on the academic achievement of social studies students will focus on in Junior secondary schools in Minna metropolis. The study will cover on the demonstration method and lecture method in teaching and learning social studies
1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work
1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Demonstration: demonstration in accordance to the study is an act of showing that something is in existence
Lecture: this is simply an educational talk to an audience, especially one of students in a university.
Academic Achievement: refers to a student’s success in meeting short- or long-term goals in education. In the big picture, academic achievement means completing high school or earning a college degree.