Computer Animation Learning Approach and its Effects on Retention and Interest of Pre-service Biology Teachers in Cell Division among Kwara State Colleges of Education, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the Effects of Computer Animation Learning Approach (CALA) on Retention and Interest of pre-service Biology teachers in Cell Division among Kwara State Colleges of Education, Nigeria. Quasi-experimental design involving pretest, posttest experimental and control group design was adopted. A total of 368pre-service Biology teachers formed the population of this study. The sample of the study 120 pre-service Biology teachers selected from intact classes of two co-educational Colleges of Education using multi-stage sampling technique.
The experimental group of the study was selected purposively and this comprises 60 pre-service Biology teachers (32 male and 28 female) was taught through CALA while their counterparts in the control group which comprises 60 pre-service Biology teachers (29 male and 31 female) was taught using conventional lecture method.
The study answered two research questions and tested two null hypotheses. The instruments Cell Division Retention Test (CDRT) and Cell Division Interest Inventory Scale used were developed, validated and administered to the students, the reliability coefficients of CDRT and CDIIS were established at respectively. Research questions were analyzed descriptively using means and standard deviations. Null hypotheses were verified at P 0.05 levels using t-test. Results revealed significant differences in the retention of pre-service Biology teachers exposed to CALA and those taught using CLM.
The result also revealed no significant difference in the retention of males and females pre-service Biology teachers exposed to CALA. Pre-service Biology teachers in the experimental group developed high positive interest in the instructional package. From the findings of the study, it was concluded that using computer animation in cell division concepts has the potentials of enhancing pre-service Biology teachers’ retention and arousing their interest.

It was recommended, that the Federal and State Ministries for Tertiary Education to provide computers and projectors for teachers to facilitate teaching with animations. The training and re-training of teachers in ICT were also recommended.