PODCAST: A TECHNOLOGICAL TOOL FOR IMPROVING LEARNING PERFORMANCE IN ALGEBRA AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN OSUN STATE

Abstract

This study examined podcast potency as a technological tool
for improving students’ learning performance in mathematics.
The study employed a mixed-method approach for the data
collection. The quantitative was a quasi-experimental design
with pre-tests and post-tests while the qualitative research data
were obtained through in-depth interviews. The population
comprised all primary school pupils in Osun State in Nigeria.
Participants were drawn from two schools, purposively selected
within the Oriade Local Government Area. Two different
instruments were developed by the researchers titled: Podcasts
Achievement Test (PAT) and Podcasts Interview Guide: (PIG)
were used to collect the quantitative and qualitative data with a
reliability value of 0.86 for the achievement test. The data
collected was analysed using ANCOVA with pretest scores as the
covariate. The findings of the study revealed that students in the
experimental group performed better with a mean score of
(M=18.2), than the control group with a mean score of (M=10.2)
due to the intervention given to them. Thus, the result shows that
there is a significant difference in the performance of pupils
taught algebra using the two methods- podcasting and
conventional methods. One of the major contributions of this
study is that teachers should be encouraged to use podcasting to teach mathematics at primary schools to improve learners’
engagement and academic performance.