Efficacy of Computer Assisted Multimedia Instruction on students’ academic performance and retention of ecology in some northwestern states, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: The emergence of the computer in the 20th century, coupled with the development in its software design in the 21st century, made teachers and educational researchers to initiate the idea of incorporating computers and its gadgets or application software in teaching and learning. Purpose: This study investigates the effectiveness of Computer Assisted Multimedia Instruction (CAMI) and school location on senior secondary school students’ academic performance and retention of Ecology in Some Northwestern States, Nigeria. Methodology: The study adopted quasi-experimental design involving experimental and control groups. The experimental group was taught using the CAMI package. The control group was taught using the Lecture method. The population of the study consists of 5331 SS 2 Biology students from 27 Science Secondary Schools in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States. The sampling procedures used are purposive and simple random sampling techniques. A total of 282 students were selected from six secondary schools in the three states (2 schools from each state). The instrument used for data collection was Ecology Performance Test (alternatives A and B). Alternative A was used for Pretest and Posttest while alternative B was used for Post-posttest. A reliability coefficient of 0.726 and 0.712 were obtained for alternatives A and B respectively after pilot study. The statistical tools used for data analyses includes Mean and Standard Deviations, independent t-test and ANOVA. Results: The findings revealed among others that senior secondary school students taught ecology using CAMI performed higher than those taught with Lecture method. And school location has no effect on both academic performances of students and retention when CAMI method was used in teaching ecological concepts, Recommendations/Classroom Implications: Biology teachers should incorporate Computer Assisted Multimedia Instruction alongside the Lecture method in teaching ecological concepts.