A comparative study of the effectiveness of discussion versus demonstration on students achievement and retention

Project Abstract

This research project aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of two different teaching methods, discussion and demonstration, on students' achievement and retention. The study involved a sample of 100 high school students from two different classes, with one class being exposed to discussion-based teaching while the other experienced demonstration-based teaching. The research was conducted over a period of six weeks to assess the impact of each teaching method on student learning outcomes. Data was collected through pre- and post-tests to measure students' achievement levels before and after the teaching interventions. Additionally, retention tests were administered one month after the completion of the teaching sessions to evaluate the long-term effects of the two methods. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the results. The findings of the study indicated that students who were exposed to demonstration-based teaching showed a significant improvement in their achievement levels compared to those who experienced discussion-based teaching. The demonstration group scored higher in both the post-test and retention test assessments, suggesting that hands-on learning and visual aids had a more substantial impact on student learning outcomes. Furthermore, qualitative data revealed that students in the demonstration group exhibited a deeper understanding of the subject matter and were able to retain information more effectively over time. They also showed a higher level of engagement and interest in the learning process compared to the discussion group. Overall, the results of this study support the hypothesis that demonstration-based teaching is more effective in enhancing students' achievement and retention compared to discussion-based teaching. The findings have significant implications for educators and curriculum designers, highlighting the importance of incorporating practical demonstrations and visual aids into the teaching process to improve student learning outcomes. In conclusion, this research project provides valuable insights into the comparative effectiveness of discussion versus demonstration on students' achievement and retention. The findings contribute to the existing literature on teaching methodologies and have practical implications for educators looking to enhance student learning experiences in the classroom. Further research in this area could explore additional factors that may influence the effectiveness of different teaching methods on student outcomes.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>1.0 INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p><strong>1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY</strong></p><p>Engagement in meaningful learning is a universal theme advanced in literature on student’s achievement. Integration of instruction into real-world problems is a second emerging theme. What students learn is greatly influenced by how they are taught. Instructors teaching agricultural curricula have implemented a wide variety of teaching methods, which fit different niches within the agricultural classroom (Allen et al., 2010).</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Some methods of teaching are completely out of phase with background and local environments of the learners particularly in Nigeria. Furthermore, some methods are foreign in nature and have no bearing with the Nigeria culture, and purely derived from euro-centric culture (Achor et al., 2009).</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The study will focus on the effectiveness of discussion and demonstration on students’ achievement and retention in chemistry. The act of demonstration with instructional materials and effectiveness of discussion during chemistry class is very important to enhance the students’ achievement in learning chemistry since images stick more than words in the mind of students.</p><p>Chemistry is a subject that has to do with chemicals with different colours and textures; take for instance a chemical like copper which is bluish in colour can stick properly in the mind of students when the students see the chemical. A chemistry teacher can tell the students the colour of a chemical, at the end of the day most students tends to forget most of this colours. &nbsp;If schools could adopt various teaching methods, they may tend to produce better students than those schools that teach students without instructional materials and teaching methods.</p><p><strong>1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM</strong></p><p>The effectiveness of discussion and demonstration method have improve the academic achievement and the level of retention of most students in learning chemistry; but the case is different with some schools in Lagos because of lack of infrastructure such as lack of constant supply of electricity, lack of good roads, poor laboratory, dilapidated school library and lack of experienced teachers and lack of instructional materials for demonstration during teaching. The federal government of Nigeria through the Nigerian union of teachers has put in so much effort to see to the development of most of the schools in Lagos. Finally there have been series of study on teaching methods but not even a single study has been carried on a comparative study of the effectiveness of discussion versus demonstration on students’ achievement and retention in chemistry.</p><p><strong>1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY</strong></p><p>The main aim of the research work is to carry out a comparative study of the effectiveness of discussion versus demonstration on students’ achievement and retention in chemistry. Other specific objectives of the study are:</p><p>1. to determine the difference in the rate of assimilation and retention among student in chemistry under effectiveness of discussion and demonstration</p><p>2. to determine if the effect of the effectiveness of discussion and demonstration on student achievement and retention in chemistry is gender sensitive</p><p>3. to investigate on the factors affecting students achievement and retention in chemistry under the use of effectiveness of discussion and demonstration methods</p><p>4. to determine the difference in the performance of students in chemistry under the use of effectiveness of discussion and demonstration methods</p><p>5. to proffer solution to the above stated problems</p><p><strong>1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS</strong></p><p>The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:</p><p>1. What is the difference in the rate of assimilation and retention among student in chemistry under effectiveness of discussion and demonstration?</p><p>2. Is the effect of the effectiveness of discussion and demonstration on student achievement and retention in chemistry is gender sensitive?</p><p>3. What are the factors affecting students achievement and retention in chemistry under the use of effectiveness of discussion and demonstration methods?</p><p>4. What is the difference in the performance of students in chemistry under the use of effectiveness of discussion and demonstration methods?</p><p><strong>1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS</strong></p><p><strong>Hypothesis 1</strong></p><p>H0: the level of achievement and retention in chemistry under effectiveness of discussion and demonstration on student is not gender sensitive</p><p>H1: the level of achievement and retention in chemistry under effectiveness of discussion and demonstration on student is gender sensitive</p><p><strong>Hypothesis 2</strong></p><p>H0: there is no significant difference in the rate of assimilation and retention among student in chemistry under effectiveness of discussion and demonstration</p><p>H1: there is significant difference in the rate of assimilation and retention among student in chemistry under effectiveness of discussion and demonstration</p><p><strong>1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY</strong></p><p>The study on a comparative study of the effectiveness of discussion versus demonstration on students’ achievement and retention in chemistry will be of immense benefit to the entire chemistry students, teachers and other researchers as the findings of the study will educate the above population on the various concepts of effectiveness of discussion and demonstration, the factors affecting student achievement and retention in chemistry and the most effective method of teaching for high academic achievement in secondary schools. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge in this field of study and provide a basis for further research</p><p><strong>1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY</strong></p><p>The study on a comparative study of the effectiveness of discussion versus demonstration on students’ achievement and retention in chemistry will cover on the various concepts of effectiveness of discussion and demonstration, the factors affecting student achievement and retention in chemistry and the most effective method of teaching for high academic achievement in secondary schools.</p><p><strong>1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY</strong></p><p><strong>Financial constraint</strong>– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).</p><p><strong>Time constraint</strong>– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work</p><p><strong>1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS</strong></p><p><strong>Demonstration</strong>: demonstration in accordance to the study is an act of showing that something is in existence</p><p><strong>Academic Achievement</strong>: refers to a student’s success in meeting short- or long-term goals in education. In the big picture, academic achievement means completing high school or earning a college degree.</p><p><strong>Retention</strong>: the action of absorbing and continuing to hold a lecture by students in chemistry.</p> <br><p></p>