Investigating the Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning Method on Teaching of Business Studies in Upper Basic Education Level in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated and compared the effect of cooperative learning method on teaching business studies. The researcher adopted quasi-experimental research design. Three research questions guided the study. The population of the study consists of 2552 students in JSS II from 31 secondary schools in Enugu Education zone. A sample of 168 was selected from 4 schools that served as control and experimental groups. The instruments for data collection were Business Studies Achievement Test (BSAT) containing 40 multiple choice questions. The instrument was validated by experts and Cronbach alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument and it yielded 0.76 reliability coefficients. A per-test, post-test procedure was used to compare the control and experimental groups on per-test and post-test scores of achievement test. The results of the study did not reveal any significant difference on pre-test scores of both control and experimental groups. This indicated that the two groups were alike in their academic achievement in Business Studies before the experiment. The experimental groups outperformed the control group in the post-test after the experiment. The results based on post- test scores revealed that cooperative learning method had significant effect on student achievement in Business studies. Based on the finding, the researcher recommends cooperative learning methods for teaching business studies and other subjects.