Comparative analysis of the peer tutoring and traditional methods in teaching selected topics in general biology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of peer tutoring and traditional methods on students’ performance in some selected topics in General Biology in the Colleges of Education in the Ashanti Region. Mampong Technical College of Education was the experimental College while Wesley College of Education was the control College in this study. A pre-test – post-test non-equivalent quasi-experimental design was used for the study. The sample size was 92 students. The experimental group consisted of 52 students while the control group consisted of 40 students. The students in the experimental group were instructed with peer tutoring while the control group were instructed with the traditional method. Both groups were taught the same content which was on supporting system in animals and the excretory system. Three instruments were used for the data collection in this study. These were a general biology achievement test (GBAT), a questionnaire on students’ perception towards peer tutoring (QCM) and a structured interview. Descriptive statistics, paired and unpaired t-test were used to analyse the data for answering the research questions. The results indicated that those instructed with peer tutoring did better than those instructed with the traditional method. It was also found that there was statistical significant difference or effect on the academic achievement with respect to knowledge, comprehension and application levels of cognitive domain of the students of the experimental group. It has been recommended that to enhance the academic achievement of students, it might be a useful practice if low achievers are allotted to students with high achievement rate so that they are provided with guidance and support in low-performing subjects.