EFFECT OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING ON PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS’ READING ACHIEVEMENT IN AWKA METROPOLIS
<doi>10.24250/jpe/1/2022/caa/ioo/ecn/eno</doi>
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of cooperative learning on reading achievement of primary school pupils in Awka Metropolis in Awka South Local Government Area. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design specifically the pre-test, post-test control group design. The population comprised of 3,419 primary five pupils in Awka metropolis and 65 pupils selected from schools that use Macmillan English who participated in the study formed the sample for the study. Reading Achievement Test (RAT) with a reliability coefficient of 0.89 determined using Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 was used to collect data for the study. Pupils in the experimental group were taught reading using reciprocal peer tutoring, a type of cooperative learning considered in the study while those in the control group were taught reading using conventional method. Data collected were analyzed using mean scores for research questions and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) for testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Major findings revealed that pupils taught reading with Reciprocal Peer Tutoring (RPT) performed significantly better than those taught with conventional method did. There was no significant difference in the performance of male and female pupils taught reading with RPT. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers training colleges and universities should incorporate reciprocal peer tutoring in their curriculum so that prospective teachers will be acquainted with the basic skills for designing RPT instructional materials for use in their respective classrooms. Teachers should be well equipped and integrated with RPT for an effective teaching, mastery and its application in the teaching and learning processes.
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