Relative effectiveness of computer-based instruction, digital video and audio packages on students’ achievement in algebra.

Abstract

This paper discussed the declining performance of secondary school students in mathematics, emphasized on use of new technologies to meet the challenges of the 21stcentury. The efficacy of researchers developed Digital Video, Audio and Computer instructional packages for teaching mathematics concepts was determined using Pretest – Posttest Experimental group design. 120 second year (SSII) students from four secondary schools in Minna, Nigeria constituted the sample. These four purposively selected schools were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group I was taught selected concepts of algebra using Computer-Based Instructional Package, (CBIP), experimental group II with Digital Video Instructional Package (DVIP), experimental group III with Digital Audio Instructional Package (DAIP), while Traditional Teaching Method (TTM) was used for control group. The treatment and test instruments were validated by experts. Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) was used for data collection, its reliability coefficient was found to be 0.92 using Kuder-Richardson (KR-21). Results revealed that the students taught with CAI performed better than their counterparts in other groups. The three treatments (CAIP, DVIP, and AIP) were found to be gender friendly. Based on the findings, CAIP should be used for teaching algebra to improve students’ poor performance in mathematics.