Comparative Effectiveness of the Recommended Instructional Strategies on Students’ Environmental Knowledge in Social Studies in Osun State Middle Schools

A J Obadiora

doi:10.5901/jesr.2016.v6n3p45

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of e-learning, collaborative and field trip instructional strategies on students’ environmental knowledge in Social Studies in Osun State middle schools. The sample consisted of 243 middle school one (MSI) students. Four public schools were randomly selected for the study. From each of the four schools, one intact MS1 class was randomly assigned to either e-learning, collaborative, field trip or conventional group. One instrument was used for this study. Data collected were subjected to analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results showed that there was a significant difference in the effectiveness of e-learning, collaborative, field trip and conventional strategies on students’ environmental knowledge in Social Studies (F =171.735) in favour of e-learning, field trip and collaborative respectively p = 0.000. The results also indicated no significant interaction effect of each strategy and gender (F = 0.447, p = 0.816). The results as well showed significant interaction effect across strategies and gender (F = 187.829) in favour of e-learning, field trip and collaborative p = 0.000. Based on the findings of this study it was concluded that the three learner centre strategies are effective in enhancing students’ acquisition of adequate knowledge about the environment through Social Studies education whereas gender has no significant effect on the students’ performance. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2016.v6n3p45

Highlights

Environmental degradation has become contemporary national and international issue; this is because the combined effects of series of wars, industrial revolution, increase in population and poverty in different parts of the world have led to the present situation of the earth environment. Hobish (1999), and Giberson (2011) believed that the only planet that bears lives presently is earth because among the other planets only the earth stands at the right distance from the sun to have temperatures that are suitable for life to exist
In line with the constructive learning theories, this study focuses on the use of three instructional strategies that give room for active participation of students in the teaching-learning process
The scores of the students in the experimental and control groups obtained with the use of Studies Environmental Education Test (SSEET) were subjected to Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to determine whether the hypothesis should be rejected or not

Summary

Introduction

Environmental degradation has become contemporary national and international issue; this is because the combined effects of series of wars, industrial revolution, increase in population and poverty in different parts of the world have led to the present situation of the earth environment. Hobish (1999), and Giberson (2011) believed that the only planet that bears lives presently is earth because among the other planets only the earth stands at the right distance from the sun to have temperatures that are suitable for life to exist. Environmental degradation has become contemporary national and international issue; this is because the combined effects of series of wars, industrial revolution, increase in population and poverty in different parts of the world have led to the present situation of the earth environment. In Nigeria, poverty, unemployment, increase in population, industrial activities and improper disposition of domestic and industrial wastes among others have resulted to over utilization and improper management of the environment. It could not be ascertained that several environmental acts and agencies established in Nigeria possess functional ability to address series of environmental challenges in Nigeria or could help people to acquire genuine knowledge/behaviour about the environment. Omofomwan (2008) argued that with all the environmental laws and agencies in Nigeria, environmental degradation is growing worse everyday

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion