Effect of the Discussion Method on the Achievement of Islamic Studies Students in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The role of instructional methods in teaching and learning could not be undermined. The methods adopted in teaching situation has been stressed over the years, to be among the factors determining students’ academic achievement in school subjects. Thus, this study was carried out with a view to examine the effect of discussion teaching method on senior secondary school students’ achievement in Islamic studies in Oyo State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined: a. differences in the achievement in Islamic studies of secondary school students exposed to discussion and conventional methods. b. the effect of gender on the achievement of secondary school students taught Islamic studies using discussion. The study employed quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, non-randomised control group design. This made use of 2x2 factorial matrixes. quasi-experimental design and the population involved the students offering Islamic Studies in Senior Secondary Schools in the study areas. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting the population of the study. Islamic Studies Achievement Test (ISAT) and Instructional Guide on Islamic Studies Teaching (IGIST) served as the instruments for data collection. The sample for the study consisted 55 students (29 males and 26 females) exposed to discussion (experimental group) and the control group of 48 students (23 males and 25 females). The students' scores were analysed using mean scores, standard deviation, t-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistics. The findings of the study showed that: 1. Students’ achievement in Islamic Studies was improved when exposed to discussion method. 2. There is significant difference in the achievement in Islamic studies of secondary school students exposed to discussion and conventional methods 3. Gender has no effect on the achievement of Islamic Studies students when exposed to discussion method. In line with the findings of the study, it is recommended that discussion method be adopted and encouraged in teaching Islamic Studies. There is need for making teaching-learning of Islamic Studies student-centred so as to improve teaching-learning process. There is need for the writing and production of Islamic Studies textbooks that would conform to the use of discussion method.