PERCEIVED IMPACT OF STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING APPROACH ON STUDENTS’ ENGAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IKA SOUTH LGA, DELTA STATE.

Abstract

The study assessed the perceived impact of student-centered learning approach on students’ engagement and academic achievement in public secondary schools in Ika South LGA, Delta State. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The study answered two research questions and tested two null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. Non-proportionate stratified sampling method was adopted for the study, 15 principals and 184 teachers were drawn. A questionnaire, named, ‘perceived assessment of the impact of student-centered learning approach on students’ engagement and academic achievement questionnaire (PAISCLASEAAQ)’ was used to collect data for the study. The instrument was validated by three research experts from the university system, and was further reliable through the Cronbach Alpha technique and with 0.82 as the reliability coefficient, the instrument was considered reliable for the study. Mean was utilized to analyze the data for research question while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses. It was found out according to principals and teachers’ perception that student-centered learning approach has impact on students’ engagement and academic achievement in public secondary schools in Ika South LGA, Delta State. The study also found no significant difference between mean ratings of principals and teacher on the impact of student-centered learning approach on students’ engagement and academic achievement in public secondary schools in Ika South LGA, Delta State. The study concluded that student-centered learning approach is impactful on both students’ participation in lessons and their academic performance. It was recommended teachers should uphold student-centered approach in every teaching-learning encounter within and across the classroom in order to jumpstart students’ activeness in the process for better academic performance.