Title:
EFFECT OF SOCRATIC TEACHING METHOD ON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICS STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN MACHINES AND WAVES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Authors:
Dr. OKONKWO, Emmanuel Okey, Prof. OKORONKA, Augustine Ugwu and UMAR, Abdul-aziz Mohammed

Abstract:
This study was conducted to find out the effect of Socratic method of teaching on senior secondary school students’ academic achievement and retention in Anambra state, Nigeria. Three research questions were raised and three null hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance. Related empirical literature was reviewed under ten sub-headings. The research design adopted was quasi-experiment design. The population for the study comprised 11,398 SS11 Physics students in 2020. The sample size was 253 students (intact classes). Multistage Sampling Technique and simple random sampling at three stages were used. Six schools in two education zones were selected. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the four research questions, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the null hypotheses. The findings showed among others, that there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the achievement of secondary school students taught Physics using Socratic method (mean posttest score, 53.88) and lecture methods (mean posttest score, 28.84). Students taught Physics with Socratic Method performed better than their counterparts in lecture method, a significant effect of self-efficacy on students’ academic achievement (p<0.05). Students with high self-efficacy had significantly higher academic achievement (mean score 57.97) compared to students with low self-efficacy (mean achievement score, 32.69). It was concluded that teacher-student based teaching methods such as Socratic teaching methods enhance students’ academic achievement in physics. Also, students’ self efficacy plays a very important role in enhancing students’ academic achievement in Physics. Based on the findings, it was recommended, that teachers should be encouraged to utilize teacher-student based teaching methods such as Socratic method to enhance students’ academic achievement. Also, in-service training for physics teachers should focus on sensitizing teachers to the possible effect of self-efficacy on students’ achievement. Students should also be enlightened on the interaction effect of their own self-efficacy and teaching method on their academic achievement in Physics.

Keywords:
Socratic method, secondary school, Students, Physics, Machine and Waves

DOI:

Date of Publication: 10-04-2024