THE EFFECTS OF GUIDED DISCOVERY METHOD ON JUNIOR SECONDARY TWO STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN GEOMETRY IN KANAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of the guided discovery method on the achievement of junior secondary school students in geometry in Kanam Local Government Area, Plateau State. The study aims to determine whether this innovative teaching method can enhance students' understanding and performance in geometry compared to traditional lecture methods, and to explore the impact of gender on students' achievement when taught using guided discovery. A quasi-experimental design, specifically a pretest-posttest nonequivalent group design, was employed. The sample consisted of 211 JSII students from three junior secondary schools, with 120 students in the experimental group and 91 in the control group. Results indicate that the experimental group, taught using the guided discovery method, achieved significantly higher post-test scores (mean = 56.94, SD = 13.50) compared to the control group taught using the lecture method (mean = 41.48, SD = 10.28), with a mean difference of 13.46 in favor of the experimental group. Additionally, female students in the experimental group outperformed their male counterparts, with mean scores of 57.00 (SD = 13.65) and 54.24 (SD = 13.23) respectively, resulting in a mean difference of -2.76. These findings suggest that the guided discovery method significantly improves students' achievement in geometry and is effective across genders, with female students showing a slight edge in performance. The study concludes that incorporating guided discovery methods in teaching geometry can address the issue of poor performance in mathematics and contribute to a more equitable educational environment. This teaching approach not only enhances students' understanding and retention of geometric concepts but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in various fields, thereby preparing students to meet the demands of a modern technological society.