Publication Information
Journal: NAU Journal of Technology and Vocational Education
Volume: 1 (2014-2016)
EFFECTS OF CONSTRUCTIVIST INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCEAND RETENTION OFAUTOMECHANICS STUDENTS INTECHNICALCOLLEGES.
Okoye, P. I
Department of Vocational Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
Eze, T.I.
Department of Vocational Education Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State
The inability of automechanics students to perform excellently well in examinations has
been attributed to use of inappropriate instructional method. Hence, the study
investigated the effect of constructivist instructional method on academic performance
and retention of automechanics students in technical colleges in Anambra State. Two
research questions guided the study and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of
significance. The study was a non randomized quasi experimental research design. The
population was 121 National Technical College II (NTC II) students offering automechanics
trade. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four intact classes in technical
colleges from different Local Government Areas of the State. A sample size of 88 was
studied. The instrument for data collection was Automechanics Performance Test (APT)
which contained 40 objective questions. Three experts validated the instrument. The
reliability of the instrument was established through test-retest method using Pearson
Product Moment Correlation, which yielded 0.75 reliability coefficient. Mean was used to
analyze data relating to research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was
used to test the null hypotheses at
0.05 level of significance. Both experimental and control groups were pre-tested and
taught by their regular teachers for four weeks using the lesson plans prepared by the
researcher. A post-test was administered immediately after teaching, followed by a
delayed post-test after two weeks to ascertain the retention level of the students.
Findings revealed that students taught automechanics using constructivist instructional
method performed better with higher post-test scores than those taught with lecture
method. Based on the findings, it was concluded that constructivist instructional method
could enhance students' academic performance and retention in automechanics. Hence, it
was recommended among others that automechanics teachers should use constructivist
instructional method to enable students learn and retain conceptsfor improved academic
performance.
been attributed to use of inappropriate instructional method. Hence, the study
investigated the effect of constructivist instructional method on academic performance
and retention of automechanics students in technical colleges in Anambra State. Two
research questions guided the study and two hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of
significance. The study was a non randomized quasi experimental research design. The
population was 121 National Technical College II (NTC II) students offering automechanics
trade. Purposive sampling technique was used to select four intact classes in technical
colleges from different Local Government Areas of the State. A sample size of 88 was
studied. The instrument for data collection was Automechanics Performance Test (APT)
which contained 40 objective questions. Three experts validated the instrument. The
reliability of the instrument was established through test-retest method using Pearson
Product Moment Correlation, which yielded 0.75 reliability coefficient. Mean was used to
analyze data relating to research questions while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was
used to test the null hypotheses at
0.05 level of significance. Both experimental and control groups were pre-tested and
taught by their regular teachers for four weeks using the lesson plans prepared by the
researcher. A post-test was administered immediately after teaching, followed by a
delayed post-test after two weeks to ascertain the retention level of the students.
Findings revealed that students taught automechanics using constructivist instructional
method performed better with higher post-test scores than those taught with lecture
method. Based on the findings, it was concluded that constructivist instructional method
could enhance students' academic performance and retention in automechanics. Hence, it
was recommended among others that automechanics teachers should use constructivist
instructional method to enable students learn and retain conceptsfor improved academic
performance.
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Co constructivism. West Nyack, NY: Cambridge University Press.
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Classroom.USA:AssociationforSupervisionandCurriculumDevelopment.
Demmert, K.L.(2001). Improving academic performance among native American students:
AReviewoftheResearchLiterature.Retrievedfromhttp://www.aor.com/pdf.
Eze,C.P.(2014). Effect of guided discovery onstudents' academic achievement and retention
of conceptsin block/bricklaying and concreting in technical collegesin Anambra State.
Unpublished PhD dissertation. Department of Vocational Education, Faculty of
Education,NnamdiAzikiweUniversity,Awka.
Federal Ministry of Education, (2000). Technical and vocational education developmentin
Nigeriainthe21st centurywiththeBlue-printforthedecade 2010. Abuja FME.
Federal Republic of Nigeria, (2013). National policy on education. Lagos: NERDC.
Gray, A. (2005). Constructivist teaching and learning : strategies for constructivist teaching.
Bright hub education. Retrieved www.samjshah.com/2012/12/10/projects-a...
Hodson, D. (2009). Effective classroom instruction. A research based perspective studies in
Science Education. 5(7),73-94.
Ibudo, K. (2013). Modern methods in science education in Africa. Abuja: Totag Publishers
Ltd.
Kim, B. (2005). Social constructivism. Retrieved May 9, 2014 from
http://www.coe.uga.edu/eppit/socialconstructivism.html.
Markus, M.N. (2009). The challenging demand of the 21st century: challenges to technical
a n d v o c a t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n . R e t r i e v e d J u l y 4 , 2 0 1 4 f r o m
www.education.curtin.edu.au/er7/html.
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Publishers.
Motibodhi, T. (2014). Technology in the educational system. Benin City: Royal publications
Ltd.
National Business and Technical Examination Board (2013). May/June 2013 NTC/NBC
Examination: Chief Examiner's Report. Benin City: Fiesta Printing Press
Nayak, R.K. (2013). Astudy on effect of constructivist pedagogy on students' achievement in
m a t h e m a t i c s a t e l e m e n t a r y l e v e l . R e t r i e v e d f r o m
www.ncert.nic.in/pdf_files/Rajendra%20Kumar%20Nayak.pdf
Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), (2007). Curriculum
development. Retrieved on April 4, 2015 from http://www.nerdc.gov.ng
Ogwo, B.A. & Oranu, R.N. (2006). Methodology in formal and nonformal
technical/vocational education. Nsukka: University of Nigeria press.
Okoye, P.I. (2013). Assessment and construction of manual tile cutter with boring saw.
Master of Science Degree project thesis. Department ofVocationalEducation, Nnamdi
Azikiwe University,Awka. www.unizik.edu.ng
Oranu, R.N. (2003). Vocational and technical education in Nigeria. Retrieved from
http://www.ibec.unesco.org.
Royles, P.L. (2013). Effective teaching methods for advancing technological world. Journal
ofInnovativePractices,3(2), 34-41.
Runnei, H. (2012). Underachievement of gifted students: What do we know and where do
we go?GiftedChildQuarterly. 44,152-170.
Shrun, J. & Glinson, E. (2013). Teacher's handbook contextualized language instruction.
New York: Heinle and Heinle Press.
Skinkyse, R. (2012). Motor vehicle maintenance and repairs. USA: Omans Series
Incorporated.
Thanasouls, D. (2005). Teaching and learning: Constructivist learning. Retrieved January 9,
2 0 1 5 fr o m h t t p : / / w w w. s e a si t e . n i u . e d u / t a l a l o g / t a l a l o g / t e a c h e rpage/languagelearning.html.
Uzoagulu, A.E. (2011). Practical guide to writing research project reports in tertiary
institutions. Enugu: John Jacob's Classic Publishers Ltd.
Yalams, S.M. & Fatokun, J.O. (2007). Effect of builder discovery approach on students'
Performance in RTV fault diagnosis and repair skill at the technical college level. In
B.G.Nworgu, (Ed.). Optimization of Service Delivery in Education Sector: Issues and
Strategies,225-238. Ibadan:WisdomPublishers Ltd.
Co constructivism. West Nyack, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Ausubel, D.P. & Robinson, F.G. (2002). School Learning: An introduction to educational
Psychology. New York: Rhinehart and Winston Inc.
Brook, J.G. & Brook, M.G. (2005). In search for understanding: the case for constructivist
Classroom.USA:AssociationforSupervisionandCurriculumDevelopment.
Demmert, K.L.(2001). Improving academic performance among native American students:
AReviewoftheResearchLiterature.Retrievedfromhttp://www.aor.com/pdf.
Eze,C.P.(2014). Effect of guided discovery onstudents' academic achievement and retention
of conceptsin block/bricklaying and concreting in technical collegesin Anambra State.
Unpublished PhD dissertation. Department of Vocational Education, Faculty of
Education,NnamdiAzikiweUniversity,Awka.
Federal Ministry of Education, (2000). Technical and vocational education developmentin
Nigeriainthe21st centurywiththeBlue-printforthedecade 2010. Abuja FME.
Federal Republic of Nigeria, (2013). National policy on education. Lagos: NERDC.
Gray, A. (2005). Constructivist teaching and learning : strategies for constructivist teaching.
Bright hub education. Retrieved www.samjshah.com/2012/12/10/projects-a...
Hodson, D. (2009). Effective classroom instruction. A research based perspective studies in
Science Education. 5(7),73-94.
Ibudo, K. (2013). Modern methods in science education in Africa. Abuja: Totag Publishers
Ltd.
Kim, B. (2005). Social constructivism. Retrieved May 9, 2014 from
http://www.coe.uga.edu/eppit/socialconstructivism.html.
Markus, M.N. (2009). The challenging demand of the 21st century: challenges to technical
a n d v o c a t i o n a l e d u c a t i o n . R e t r i e v e d J u l y 4 , 2 0 1 4 f r o m
www.education.curtin.edu.au/er7/html.
Maryourt, L. (2013). Innovative teaching and learning processes. New Delhi: Vikas
Publishers.
Motibodhi, T. (2014). Technology in the educational system. Benin City: Royal publications
Ltd.
National Business and Technical Examination Board (2013). May/June 2013 NTC/NBC
Examination: Chief Examiner's Report. Benin City: Fiesta Printing Press
Nayak, R.K. (2013). Astudy on effect of constructivist pedagogy on students' achievement in
m a t h e m a t i c s a t e l e m e n t a r y l e v e l . R e t r i e v e d f r o m
www.ncert.nic.in/pdf_files/Rajendra%20Kumar%20Nayak.pdf
Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), (2007). Curriculum
development. Retrieved on April 4, 2015 from http://www.nerdc.gov.ng
Ogwo, B.A. & Oranu, R.N. (2006). Methodology in formal and nonformal
technical/vocational education. Nsukka: University of Nigeria press.
Okoye, P.I. (2013). Assessment and construction of manual tile cutter with boring saw.
Master of Science Degree project thesis. Department ofVocationalEducation, Nnamdi
Azikiwe University,Awka. www.unizik.edu.ng
Oranu, R.N. (2003). Vocational and technical education in Nigeria. Retrieved from
http://www.ibec.unesco.org.
Royles, P.L. (2013). Effective teaching methods for advancing technological world. Journal
ofInnovativePractices,3(2), 34-41.
Runnei, H. (2012). Underachievement of gifted students: What do we know and where do
we go?GiftedChildQuarterly. 44,152-170.
Shrun, J. & Glinson, E. (2013). Teacher's handbook contextualized language instruction.
New York: Heinle and Heinle Press.
Skinkyse, R. (2012). Motor vehicle maintenance and repairs. USA: Omans Series
Incorporated.
Thanasouls, D. (2005). Teaching and learning: Constructivist learning. Retrieved January 9,
2 0 1 5 fr o m h t t p : / / w w w. s e a si t e . n i u . e d u / t a l a l o g / t a l a l o g / t e a c h e rpage/languagelearning.html.
Uzoagulu, A.E. (2011). Practical guide to writing research project reports in tertiary
institutions. Enugu: John Jacob's Classic Publishers Ltd.
Yalams, S.M. & Fatokun, J.O. (2007). Effect of builder discovery approach on students'
Performance in RTV fault diagnosis and repair skill at the technical college level. In
B.G.Nworgu, (Ed.). Optimization of Service Delivery in Education Sector: Issues and
Strategies,225-238. Ibadan:WisdomPublishers Ltd.