Effect of Collaborative Learning Strategy on Economics Students’ Learning Interest and Academic Achievement in Public Senior Secondary School Students of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Abstract

The study examined the effect of collaborative learning strategy on economics students’ learning interest and academic achievement in public senior secondary school students in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The study adopted quasi-experimental research design. The population of the study comprised of 22,320 SS2 students respectively in 96 Public Senior Secondary Schools. The sample for the study   comprised of two intact classes with 138 SSII Students. The instruments used for data collection was a 40-item Economics Achievement Test (EAT) and a 20-item Economics Interest Scale (EIS). The instruments were subjected to validation of experts in Economics and Measurement and Evaluation. Scores emanating from the validation process was computed to obtain a logical validity index   of 0.78 and o.72 respectively.  The instruments were further subjected to pilot study by administering it to a sample of 30 students within the study population but outside the sampled schools.  Results obtained from the exercise were used to obtain reliability indices of 0.77and 0.74 respectively for the achievement test and interest scale. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The findings from the study showed there is a significant difference in the mean interest scores of students taught Economics using collaborative learning strategy and   conventional teaching strategy in   public senior /secondary schools in FCT, Abuja and there is a significant difference in the mean achievement scores of students taught Economics with collaborative learning strategy in public senior secondary schools in FCT, Abuja.  The study recommended that teachers should be trained on the use of collaborative learning   strategy in order to enhance learners’ interest and also economics teachers should be provided with appropriate and adequate learning materials that an enhance students’ academic achievement. The study concluded that use collaborative learning strategy    enhances students’ learning interest and achievement in public senior secondary schools of FCT, Abuja.