Main Article Content
Effect of Experiential Learning Approach on Junior High School Pupils’ Performance in Finding Area of Plane Figures
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate effect of the experiential learning approach on junior high school pupils’ performance in finding area of plane figures. The sample size consisted of seventy (70) pupils comprising 35 in the control group and 35 in the experimental group. A quasi-experimental design was used in which the experimental group was exposed to experiential learning teaching approach and control group was taught normally using the traditional method. Pre-test and later post-test, which were based on the Ghana Education Service junior high school mathematics syllabus requirements, were carried out simultaneously on both groups before and after the experiment respectively. A focus group discussion was held with five mathematics teachers to find out the impact of the experiential learning activities on their pupils’ in performance in finding area of plane figures. An independent sample t-test analysis was carried out on the pre-test and post-test scores. The findings revealed that the experiential learning teaching approach led to better development of the pupils’ performance in the concept than the traditional method of teaching. The performance of experiential learning group was higher than the comparable traditional group. The teachers confirmed in the focus group discussion that experiential learning impact on learners’ performance in finding area of plane figures. The study recommends that teachers should incorporate experiential learning teaching approach into their lessons to help improve pupils’ conceptual understanding of area of plane figures.