Effect of Class Size, Teaching Methods and Students Achievement in English Language
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives of the Study
The following are the objectives of the study:
- ascertain the impact of small class size on the academic achievement of students in English Language in junior secondary schools in Oyo
- determine the impact of classroom building on the academic achievement of students in English Language in junior secondary schools in Oyo
- determine the impact of adequate class furniture on the academic achievement of students in English Language in junior secondary schools in Oyo
- ascertain the impact of the teaching methods on the academic achievement of students in English Language in junior secondary schools in Oyo
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework for this study is based on the theory of Stimulus -Response as propounded by Ivan Pavlov (1849 – 1936) and John Watson (1878-1958). Papalia, Feldman and Olds (2007) asserted that Stimulus- Response is a type of learning which is based on the association of stimulus that does not ordinarily elicit a particular response with another stimulus that does not elicit a response. While studying the functioning of the digestive system, Ivan Pavlov encountered an unforeseen problem. The dogs in his experiment salivated not only upon actually eating but also when they saw the food, noticed the man who usually brought it or even heard his footsteps. Pavlov began to study this phenomenon, which he called „conditioning.‟‟ Since the type of conditioning emphasized was a classical one quite different from the conditioning emphasized by other psychologists at the later stage, it has been renamed classical conditioning.
In one of his experiments, Pavlov kept a dog hungry for a few days and then tied it to the experimental table which was fitted with certain mechanically controlled devices. The dog was made comfortable and distractions were excluded as far as it was possible to do so. The observer himself remained hidden from the dog but was able to view the experiment by means of a set of mirrors. Arrangement was made to give food to the dog through an automatic mechanism. He also arranged for a bell to ring every time food was presented to the dog. When the food was put before the dog and the bell was rung, there was automatic secretion of saliva from the mouth of the dog. The activity of presenting the food accompanied with the ringing of the bell was repeated several times and the amount of saliva secured was measured.
After the several trials the dog was given no food but the bell rung. In this case also, the amount of saliva secreted was recorded and measured, it was found that even in the absence of food (the natural stimulus), the ringing of the bell (an artificial stimulus) caused the dog to secret the saliva (natural response).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
A quasi-experimental research design, involving a pre-test, post-test and non-equivalent research design groups was used for the study. This type of research design is appropriate for studying how the peculiarities of a class size and teaching methods would affect the performance of different students groups at the secondary school level. In other words, the research design is appropriate to the type of research conducted which is largely an evaluation. The purpose of using this design agreed with Kolo (2003) who says that “experimental is to investigate possible cause and effect as well as relationship between two or more variables by the application of treatment which cannot be resolved by observation or description”.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
Descriptive Analysis
The descriptive statistics were presented by way of answering research questions as follows:
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
This study examined the Impact of Class size and teaching methods on the academic performance of students in English Language in Junior Secondary Schools in Oyo State. The study comprised background to the study that highlighted variables such as the concept of education, class size and teaching methods vis-a-vis academic achievement, meaning of, meaning of performance and objectives of secondary education. This was followed by statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, basic assumptions, significance of the study, scope and delimitation of the study.
Review of related literature was carried out to provide the practical basis for data interpretation and major findings of the study. The review was on the following sub-headings: introduction, theoretical framework, concept of class size and teaching methods, relevance of class size and teaching methods, component of class size and teaching methods, concept of academic achievement, class size and teaching methods and academic achievement, how to evaluate academic achievement, empirical studies and summary.
Conclusion
This study has shown a positive and significant relationship between the physical characteristics of the school such as classroom buildings, furniture, instructional facilities and students‟ academic achievement in junior secondary schools in Oyo State. This is an indication that these facilities in secondary schools should be a prime concern of the education stakeholders in the state and the nation in general. However, the extent to which students‟ learning could be enhanced depends on the structure of their classroom, availability of the classrooms, instructional facilities and accessories. It is believed that conducive class size and teaching methods with available school facilities will gear up expected outcomes of education that will facilitate good social, political and economic emancipation, effective teaching and learning process as well as academic achievements of students.
Recommendations
Based on the conclusion drawn, the following recommendations were made:
- Government and other education stakeholders should make concerted efforts to provide adequate classroom building and renovate the existing dilapidated structures in public secondary schools. This would help to reduce the problem of school overcrowding and it would go a long way to create enabling teaching and class size and teaching methods.
- Education stakeholders should endeavor to provide adequate class furniture (chairs and lockers or desk) in public secondary schools and students should be oriented on how to maintain these facilities because most a time’s students destroy these facilities by themselves
- Small class size should be maintained in public secondary schools and the population of students admitted into public schools should depend on the available space and facilities. Because, there is need to make the number of students to be taught English Language in the class to be moderate, so that the teacher would be able to manage the class effectively and give individual attention to students where necessary
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