Owusu K.A., Monney K.A., Appiah J.Y., Wilmot E.M.
Department of Science and Mathematics Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; School of Biological Sciences, Department of Entomology and Wildlife, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Owusu, K.A., Department of Science and Mathematics Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Monney, K.A., School of Biological Sciences, Department of Entomology and Wildlife, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Appiah, J.Y., Department of Science and Mathematics Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Wilmot, E.M., Department of Science and Mathematics Education, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
This study investigated the comparative efficiency of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and conventional teaching method in biology on senior high school students. A science class was selected in each of two randomly selected schools. The pretest-posttest non equivalent quasi experimental design was used. The students in the experimental group learned science concepts (cell cycle) through the CAI, whereas the students in the control group were taught the same concepts by the conventional approach. The conventional approach consisted of lecture, discussions and question and answer teaching methods. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze students' pretest and posttests scores. The results indicated that students that were instructed by the conventional approach performed better on the posttest than those instructed by the CAI. However, the performance of low achievers within the experimental group improved after they were instructed by the CAI. Even though the CAI group did not perform better than the conventional approach group, the students in the CAI group perceived CAI to be interesting when they were interviewed. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.