EFFECTS OF LEARNING TOGETHER AND ABILITY LEVEL ON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ BIOLOGY ACHIEVEMENT IN OFFA, NIGERIA

Dr. Khadijat B. Lawal; Dr. Basira J. Abdulrahim & J. A. Lawal

Abstract

The use of applicable learning strategies by classroom teachers has been linked to helping the students in better understanding of the difficult concepts in Biology curriculum and could solve the problem of differences in students’ ability levels. This study aims to determine the effect of learning together strategy and ability level on secondary school students’ Biology achievement in Offa, Nigeria. The study employs quasi-experimental design of 2x3 control group for the collection of data. The population for the study comprises SSI students from Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State. The sample consisted of 173 students that were purposely selected from four secondary schools. Biology Achievement Test on Photosynthesis (BATP) was the instrument which elicited data collected for both ability and achievement test. The result collected was analyzed using ANCOVA. The findings of the study revealed that there was a significant difference in the achievement of senior secondary school students taught photosynthesis using learning together strategy based on ability levels with F_(2,84)=3.46 in view of the findings, the study recommended  among others that learning together and jigsaw be used to teach difficult concepts in Biology through workshops and seminar by curriculum planner and education stakeholders for Biology teachers on how to use these strategies to promote meaningful learning of difficult topics.