The Combined Culturo-Techno-Contextual Approach (CTCA) and Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Strategies to Teaching and Learning Machine Language in Secondary Schools in Breaking Its Difficulty

Abstract

There have been several efforts and interventions through research and workshops to introduce novel interventions in teaching and learning strategies by science educators around the globe. And countless numbers of strategies to improve academic performance had been introduced in the learning environment. However, many factors could be linked to different academic achievement and attitude to teaching and learning. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate if the use of Culturo-Techno- Contextual Approach (CTCA), a learning strategy that incorporate the use of cultural knowledge (indigenous knowledge), component of contextual drawing from the immediate environment to illustrate teaching, and the component of technology to better strengthen learning. And the Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL), a strategy involving peer learning method interventions to enhance the academic achievement and attitude of students in senior school in machine language. Why machine language? It is a concept in the Nigeria computer studies curriculum that students find difficult to learning. It is hypothesized that there is no statistically significances difference in i) effects of class stream (science, commercial, and arts) in achievement and attitude, and ii) in school type (private and public) in achievement and attitude when taught using the two strategies to teaching and learning machine language in secondary school. The research design was quasi-experimental (a pre-test post-test nonequivalent group) design. A total of 207 computer studies students in senior secondary year two (SS2) comprising 106 females and 101 males participated in the study. The instrument used to gather data was the machine language attitudes questionnaire (MLAQ) and machine language achievement test (MLAT) which had a reliability coefficient of 0.65. There are two experimental groups and they were taught separately with CTCA and PLTL while the control group was taught with the traditional lecture method. The data (pre-test and post-test scores) collected were analysed using mancova since the participants were not randomly assigned to the groups. When CTCA is used, students are required to (a) draw on their topicrelevant indigenous (cultural) knowledge; (b) use technology to seek pre-lesson knowledge of the topic to be taught; (c) work in groups to share knowledge gleaned from their socio-cultural interactions and webbased resources; and (d) draw on their prior knowledge of the topic when used. While the PLTL is based on social dimension, scientific learning discovery, and optimal learning which is active engagement by the students. The study found no statistically significant effect of class stream of students on achievement and attitudes of students when taught using CTCA, PLTL or lecture method [F (2, 202) = 0.20; p > 0.05] and on attitude [F (2, 202) = 2.13; p > 0.05]. While there was a significant difference in machine learning achievement of students taught using CTCA, PLTL, and the Lecture method [F (1, 203) = 4.34; p < .05] and a significant different in school type in machine learning attitude of students taught using CTCA, PLTL, and the Lecture method. [F (1, 203) = 5.82; p < .05]. Hence, the study concluded that educators are encouraged to use the CTCA and PLTL and they could capitalise on the assets of the CTCA and PLTL in demonstrating how it could be employed as a pedagogical design for enhancing the achievement and attitude of students in computer studies and other subjects which are offered at the senior secondary schools. The strategies will help both teachers and students to gain respect for local activities and culture, its wisdom and ethics and appreciate indigenous science and technology and appreciate the use of local resources more thereby enhancing sustainability and it will encourage collaboration among students thereby leading to better academic achievement and attitude. Keyword: Culturo-Techno-Contextual Approach (CTCA); Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL); Machine Language; Collaborative.