Utilization of learning activity package in the classroom: impact on senior secondary school students' achievement in organic chemistry

Abstract

This study examined the impact of the utilization of Learning Activity Package (LAP) in the classroom and its effect on urban and rural students’ academic achievement in organic chemistry. Two research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted quasi-experimental design. The population comprised 4,164 senior secondary two (SS2) chemistry students of Afikpo Education zone of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The sample was 235 students drawn from 4 schools by balloting. The experimental groups were taught with LAP while the control groups were taught with Lecture. The instruments used were Learning Activity Package Manual (LAPM) and Chemistry Achievement Test on Organic Chemistry (CATOC) which were validated by three experts. Reliability index of .82 was obtained for the CATOC using Kuder Richardson’s formula 20 which showed that it was reliable. The data collected were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results of data analysis revealed among others that, utilization of Learning Activity Package in the classroom had greater impact on the students’ academic achievement in organic chemistry than the Lecture method. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the academic achievement of urban and rural students in chemistry when taught with LAP and Lecture method. The researcher recommended among others things that chemistry teachers should be encouraged to utilize the LAP in their classrooms in order to encourage students’ active engagement in the lesson for enhanced academic achievement.