Effects of Cooperative Learning Strategy on Mathematics Retention and Gender of Senior Secondary School Students in Minna Metropolis Niger State.

Abstract

The study investigates the effectsof cooperative learning strategy on mathematics retention and gender of Senior Secondary School Students in Minna Metropolis Niger State.The research adopted the pre-test–post-tests randomize design. The population of the study comprises all 15,218 senior secondary school mathematics students in Minna, Niger State and target population was SS II mathematics student. 120 students were randomly selected from three two senior secondary schools in Minna, for the study. The Instruments for the study is Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) that was validated by three experts in mathematics education and science education in University, College of Education, and secondary school, because research was carried out in secondary schools with reliability coefficient of 0.81 using PPMC using test retest method and treatment material is Cooperative learning strategy. The Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) comprises of 30 multiple choice objective questions and cooperative learning strategy comprised of instructions on mathematics. All the experimental groups were given Pretest before the treatment and after treatment posttest were administered on them. Experimental group was exposed to the use of cooperative learning while control group was exposed to conventional lecture method. The retention test was administered on the groups after two weeks of posttest. ANOVA was used for method of data analysis.it was established that there was significant difference in the retention of students taught mathematics using coperative learning strategy compare to lecture method. Conversely there was no significant difference in the male and female retention of SS II mathematics student taught using cooperative learning strategy. Recommendation; Students should be trained on the use of cooperative learning strategy that improve students retention in teaching and learning of mathematics.

Key Words: Mathematics, Cooperative Learning Strategy, Retention and Gender