BLENDED INSTRUCTION FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION OF STUDENT LECTURERS IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION: AN IMPERATIVE FOR TEACHING MATHEMATICS FOR ECONOMICS

Abstract

This paper discussed blended instruction for academic achievement and retention of student lecturers in colleges of education an imperative for teaching mathematics for economics in selected colleges of education in the northwestern part of Nigeria. The paper established a continuous introduction of mathematics in the study of economics at all levels of higher learning in Nigeria. Literary evidence showed that teacher trainees have been performing poorly in the teaching and learning of the mathematical concepts in economics. Blended learning was employed as alternative to the traditional method of instruction for the experimental group of 50 students in three colleges of education totaling 150 students using and open sourced Learning management System Moodle. Based on the achievement test administered on the two groups, the means score showed that the experimental group performed better in the teacher's structured achievement test. Among the recommendation is that the government should commit more resource to developing a functional learning management LMS that is purposed built for each college of education across Nigeria. Academic staff should be made to undergo in service training to develop their information and communication skill.a