Effectiveness of learning activity package in influencing students’ performance in selected biology topics

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a Learning Activity Package (LAP) in improving students' performance in selected biology topics. The quasi experimental design involved a pre-test and post-test Non-equivalent group design, with 92 students in total divided into an experimental and a control group. The experimental group consists of 44 Year 2 biology students in Asare Bediako SHS and the control group was made up of 48 Year 2 biology students from Obuasi SHTS. These two schools were sampled using purposive sampling. The experimental group was taught using the LAP while the control group received lectures. The Biology Achievement Test (BAT) was used to collect data, which was analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics. Results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group on the post-test, with significant differences (p < 0.05) across all ability levels; mean scores for the experimental group = 28.7, 25.3 and 21.1 for high, average and low achievers respectively and a significant value of 0.0007 while the control group recorded mean scores of 16, 15 and 17 for high, average and low achievers respectively. The LAP was particularly effective for low achieving students, as they showed notable gains. There was also a statistically significant difference in mean scores between males and females (p = 0.03), with males performing better on average, but the effect size was low in magnitude. Furthermore, the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores compared to the control group, with a practically significant difference in scores. Overall, the findings suggest that the LAP is an effective teaching method for improving students' performance in biology. Based on these findings, it is recommended that instructors should consider integrating the learning activity package (LAP) in their teaching approach. Further, additional resources and support should be provided to low-ability students to ensure their success.