EFFECT OF FIELD-TRIP TEACHING METHOD ON STUDENTS’ RETENTION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SOUTHERN SENATORIAL ZONE OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Study investigates the effect of field-trip teaching method on students’ retention and academic performance in agricultural science in senior secondary schools in southern senatorial zone of Kaduna state. Survey research design was used for the study. Two objectives, two research questions and two hypotheses were used for the study. The population for this study is 18,370 SS2 students and 27 government secondary schools. The sample size for the study is 391 this was determine using Taro yamen formula. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting both the school and students. 13 schools were randomly selected from the senior secondary schools in Southern Senatorial Zone using hat drawn to select both the schools and the students (SS11) offering agricultural science. The instruments use for data collection was a questionnaire title: Field-trip teaching method on students’ retention and academic Performance Questionnaire (FTMSRAP) The instrument was validated by expert in the field of measurement and evaluation and two experts from agricultural education section, department of vocational and technical education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The instrument was trial tested using 30 students in Zaria. The data collected and analysed using Cronbach alpha method which give a reliability co-efficient of 0.76. Decision rule was that any statement having a mean of 2.50 and above was considered Agree while the mean score rating of below 2.50 was considered as Disagree. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer research questions one and two; while chi-square was used to test the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. From the result, the following findings were made: Field trip teaching method enhances retention level of agricultural science students and also field trip teaching method on level of performance of agricultural science has a positive effect on students. Base on the findings of the study it was concluded that field-trip teaching method enhance retention level of agricultural science students, students performed better when field-trip teaching method is applied. It was therefore recommended that field trip teaching method should be applied when teaching agricultural science for better retention by students.