This study investigated the effect
of sensory simulation teaching strategy on interest and achievement among
secondary school students in genetics in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
Nigeria. Quasi-experimental pretest, posttest experimental and control groups
research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 174 SS II students
comprising 82 males and 92 females in two intact classes from two secondary
schools in Abuja were used for the study. One class was randomly assigned as
the experimental group while the other class as the control group. The
treatment lasted for four weeks, during which the experimental group was taught
using Sensory Simulation Teaching Strategy. The control group was taught using
conventional teaching method. Genetics Achievement Test (GAT) was used as an
instruments for the collection of data in the study. The instrument was face
validated by experts, pilot tested and the reliability index was obtained and
the value was found to be 0.89. The value was considered high enough for the
study. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated for this
study. Means and standard deviations were used to answer the research questions
while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05
level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that Sensory
Simulation Teaching Strategy has facilitative effect on achievement of biology
students in genetics, gender had no significant effect on achievement among
biology students in genetics. Students taught using Sensory Simulation Teaching
Strategy achieved higher than those taught using conventional teaching method.
Recommendations were made which included: biology teachers should be encouraged
to teach genetics using Sensory Simulation Teaching Strategy; resources and
time should be made available by curriculum planners and school administrators,
in order to engender the effective and efficient teaching and learning of
genetics. This will enhance achievement in genetics. Seminars, conferences
should be organized for biology teachers on the use of Sensory Simulation
Teaching Strategy by professional bodies like STAN.
Keywords: Achievement in Genetics, Gender, Sensory Simulation Teaching Strategy.
