Computer simulation and video media instructional packages in improving learning outcomes of Chemistry students in Ife Central Local Government Area

Abstract

The study examined computer simulation and video-media in improving students’ performance in Chemistry and compared students’ attitude towards Chemistry using the two packages. It also examined the effectiveness of the two packages in enhancing students’ retention of Chemistry concepts. This was with a view to finding out which of the two packages is better in enhancing students’ performance in Chemistry. The non-equivalent pretest—posttest control group research design was employed for the study. The population for the study comprised all Chemistry students in senior secondary schools in Osun State. Students in senior secondary class two (SSII) in their intact classes from three schools in Ife Central Local Government Area of the State formed the sample of the study. The three schools were randomly assigned to three groups; experimental group A using Computer Simulated Instructional Package (CSIP), experimental group B using Video Media Instructional Package (VMIP), and group C using the conventional teaching method. The instruments used for data collection were Chemistry Achievement Test (CAT) and Chemistry Attitudinal Questionnaire (CAQ). Data collected were analyzed using mean, ANOVA and ANCOVA statistics. The results revealed that there existed a significant difference in the effectiveness of computer simulation and video media instructional packages in improving students’ performance in Chemistry (F = 16.170, p < 0.05). This was further supported by the analysis of the post test scores of the respondents as those exposed to the computer simulation package had the highest post test score of 13.63 while conventional method had the lowest post test score of 9.46. The results also showed that there was no significant difference in the students’ attitude towards Chemistry using the two packages (F = 0.14, p > 0.05). Furthermore, the results showed that there existed a significant difference in the effectiveness of the two packages in enhancing students’ retention of Chemistry Concepts (F = 20.152, p < 0.05). Further analysis revealed a mean retention score of 14.79 for video media package, 15.54 for computer simulation package and 11.10 for the conventional method. This showed that those exposed to Computer simulation package had the highest average retention sore. The study concluded that computer simulation package is a more effective instructional package than video-media in improving students’ performance as well as retention of concepts taught. In terms of students’ attitude towards Chemistry, the two packages examined in the study suggest no effect and if such exists, is likely to be negligible.