Effects of Concept Mapping method on the Academic Performance of Agricultural Science in Senior Secondary Schools in Kaduna State

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the influence of concept mapping method on the academic performance of agricultural science students in senior secondary schools in Kaduna State. The study has 2 specific objectives, 2 research questions and 2 null hypotheses. The Research design adopted for this study is pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design. The population for this research comprised of all the 15620 SSII agricultural science students in the 2016/2017 academic session in all the government senior secondary schools in Kaduna State. Random Sampling technique was used in selecting both school and students. Eighty (80) SS II students were randomly selected using hat and draw technique. Forty (40) male and forty (40) female students were selected. Groups A formed the treatment groups (concept mapping method) while group B formed the control group taught using the traditional method. The instrument used for data collection was a multiple-choice test consisting of a 30-item Achievement Test in Agricultural Science (ATAS) which was developed by the researcher. Simple descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) were used to answer all the research questions. Data collected was then subjected to t-test statistics to determine students’ academic performance under concept mapping method. All null hypotheses were tested at 5% level of significance. Result indicated that, students taught using concept mapping method performed better than students taught using the conventional lecture method. Male students were found to perform better than their female counterparts in the concept mapping method. Concept mapping method should be adopted by agricultural science teachers as it enhances students’ academic performance. Government should equip the schools with the necessary equipment and materials needed by teachers for effective utilization of concept mapping teaching method. Teachers should creative and use their initiative one using concept mapping method for better understanding by students and better academic performance.