The Efficacy of Fieldwork and Inquiry Strategies on Secondary School Students’ Interest in Geography, Katsina State, Nigeria.

Abstract

THE EFFICACY OF FIELDWORK AND INQUIRY STRATEGIES ON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS INTEREST IN GEOGRAPHY, KATSINA, NIGERIA AHMED, Tukur Department of Science and Technology Education, Federal University of Technology SALISU, Aminu Department of Science and Vocational Education, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University Katsina NDATSU, Abdulkadir Department of Science and Technology Education, Federal University of Technology AHMAD, Shuaeeb Ibn Department of Science and Technology Education, Federal University of Technology ABSTRACT This study investigates the Efficacy of Fieldwork and Inquiry Strategies on Senior Secondary School Students Interest in Human Geography Concepts, Katsina State, Nigeria. Two research objectives, two research question and two null hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study used quasi experimental and control group design involving pre and post tests. The target population for the study covered 2,251 senior secondary school year II students in the study area. A total number of 151 students from three intact classes of SS II were purposively selected and used as sample of the study. Two schools were selected as the experimental group, while the other one served as the control group. Two validated instrument (Geography Interest Questionnaire) with reliability coefficients of 0.8, were used for data collection. Research questions were answered descriptively using mean and standard deviation while null hypotheses were tested inferentially using Kruskal Wallis H-Test. Findings of the study revealed that significant difference in the Interest of students exposed to the field work, inquiry strategy and lecture method in favour of experimental groups. Gender difference exist in the Interest of students exposed to field work and inquiry strategy. On the bases of findings, the study recommended that the use of Fieldwork and Inquiry Strategies in teaching geography in school should be encouraged by State Ministries of Education through training of teachers in form of seminars and workshops on how to use fieldwork and inquiry in teaching periodically. Similarly, Katsina State Ministry of education should ensure adequate monitoring of teachers when using Fieldwork and Inquiry Strategies for improving achievement and interest towards school subjects with immediate effect. Keywords: Fieldwork Strategy, Inquiry Strategy, Interest