Investigating the effectiveness of multiimedia assisted instructions on students’ academic performance in some selected topics in Biology at Winneba Senior High School

Abstract

The research examined the impact of multimedia-assisted instruction (MAI) on students' academic performance in selected Biology topics at Winneba Senior High, specifically when utilized as a complement to conventional teaching methods. An action research methodology was employed to collect data for this investigation. The study involved a single intact Form Two class consisting of 60 students from a public school in the Effutu Municipality. A cyclical approach to action design was implemented, along with a purposive sampling technique. Data collection methods included observation, interviews, and tests to gather both qualitative and quantitative information. The results indicated a notable improvement in students' performance in the selected Biology topics when MAI tools were incorporated into the teaching process. Additionally, the findings revealed that students exhibited a favorable attitude towards the use of multimedia-assisted instruction in Biology education. Furthermore, the study highlighted the challenges faced by students in utilizing MAI for their learning, which included limited access to devices, slow internet connectivity, software malfunctions, and environmental factors such as distractions, unsuitable classroom conditions, and inadequate time for the effective use of multimedia resources. The study concluded that the implementation of MAI tools significantly enhances students' performance in Biology when integrated with traditional teaching methods. Consequently, it was recommended that Biology educators should incorporate MAI tools into their instructional practices