Using cooperative instructional approach to improve teaching and learning of respiration among form 2 Home Economics students in Presbyterian Girls’ Senior High School, Odumase Krobo

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the use of cooperative instructional approach to improve the teaching and learning of respiration among SHS form 2 Home Economics Students of Presbyterian Girls SHS in Odumase- Krobo as against individual learning in Odumase Krobo. Seventy-two (72) Home Economics students were sampled using the purposive sampling techniques. Teacher-made-test (pre-test and post-tests) and observational guide were used to collect data. The instrument was validated through content validation procedures and yielded a reliability of Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.63. Three (3) research questions guided the study. Descriptive statistics of Frequency counts and percentages were employed for all the research questions. Findings obtained from research question one revealed that students taught using the STAD approach (M= 6.40, SD=1.49) reported significantly higher levels in academic performance than those using the individual approach (M= 4.65, SD=1.74). Findings obtained from the research question two revealed a statistically significant difference between the two approaches. Results obtained on research question three also showed that students in this study generally exhibited negative attitudes towards the individual learning approach. Based on the outcome of the results, the study recommends that, there is the need to offer them personalised institution through the use of STAD so that students can make their own choices, own their learning, increase their intrinsic motivation and put in more effort. Also, teachers should employ STAD as a system of cooperative learning in which students learn to be formed into groups representing the students with the skills and different genders to bring student’s learning experience to a different level.