INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON STUDENTS’ INTEREST AND ACHIEVEMENT IN GENETICS USING TWO CONSTRUCTIVIST INSTRUCTIONAL MODELS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/z2fzwa11Keywords:
Achievement, 5Es and PEDDA Constructivist instructional models, Gender, Genetics, InterestAbstract
This study investigated the influence of gender on students’ interest and achievement in Genetics using two constructivist instructional models. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Quasi-experimental research design, specifically the non-equivalent control group design, was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprises 1,986 (816 male and 1,170 female) SS111 Biology students in 31 public secondary schools in Enugu Education Zone, Enugu State, Nigeria. A sample size of 160 (79 male and 81 female) SS111 Biology students selected through a multistage sampling technique was used for the study. The instruments for data collection were Genetics Interest Inventory (GII) and the Genetics Achievement Test (GAT). The internal consistency reliability coefficient of 0.64 was obtained using the Kuder-Richardson formula (K-R 20). The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation, while the hypotheses were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is no significant difference between gender and students’ interest and achievement in Genetics using two constructivist instructional models. The study therefore recommended that Biology teachers should encourage both male and female students to engage in participatory learning using two constructivist instructional models, which were found to be effective in enhancing students’ interest and achievement in Genetics.
Downloads
References
Ababneh, E., & Samad, M. (2018). Gender gap in science achievement for Jordian students in PISA2015. European Journal of Educational Research, 7(4), 963-974.
Abdullahi, N., Abubakar, A., Abubakar, M. J., & Aliyu, A. C. (2019). Gender gap in science and technology education in Nigeria. International Journal of Education and Evaluation, 5(3), 1-13.
Abdulhamid, K., Zayum, D. S., & Jibrin, A. G. (2023). Effect of problem-based learning on academic achievement in genetics among senior secondary school students in Bauchi state. African Journal of Science, Technology Mathematics and Engineering, (AJSTME), 9(6), 472-478.
Adelana, O. P., Akinsulure, A. O., Ajose, M. A., & Ishola, A. M. (2023). Perceptions of genetics difficulty among secondary students. Journal of Science and Mathematics Letters, 11(1), 51-58.
Adelana, O. P., Ishola, A. M., & Adeeko, O. (2021). Development and validation of instructional package from teaching and learning genetics in secondary schools. Asian Journal of Assessment in teaching and learning, 11(2), 32-41.
Adeyimi S. A, Nzabalirwa, W. & Shivoga, W. A. (2020). Age, gender and verbal ability as predictors of students’ achievement in biology. International Journal of Studies in Education and Science (IJSES), 1(1), 80-91.
Agogo, P. O., & Naakaa, D. A. (2014). Effects of 5es constructivist instructional strategy on students’ interest in senior secondary genetics in Gwer L. G. A., Benue state. Global Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 1(2), 015-019.
Ahmadu, S. K., & Nwankwo, O. C. (2019). Effect of constructivist pedagogy on performance in biology among secondary school students in Kogi state. Journal of Education in Developing Areas, JEDA, 27(2), 202-207.
Ajayi, O. A. & Eravwoke, U. O. (2012). Effects of 5e learning cycle on students’ achievement in biology and chemistry. Cyproit Journal of Educational Sciences, 7(3), 244-262.
Amaefuna, A. I., & Ezeliora, B. A. (2020). Effect of 5 step constructivist-based instructional model in students’ achievement in biology. Greener Journal of Education Research, 11(1), 1-5.
Amedu, O. I. (2015). The effect of gender on the achievement of students in biology using Jigsaw method. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(17), 176-179.
Audu, C. T. (2018). Influence of teaching styles on students’ achievement and interest among biology students in secondary schools in Taraba state, Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5(5), 164-172.
Buba, A. M., Banus, A. A., & Adamu, M. (2020). Gender difference in effectiveness of constructivist method of teaching biology on academic performance of senior secondary school students in Maduguri metropolis, Borno state, Nigeria. African Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (AJSTME), 5(1), 41-17.
Ezechi, N. G. (2021). The problems of teaching and learning genetics in secondary schools in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu state. British International Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 8(4), 13-19.
Ezechi, N. G. (2017). Facilitating students understanding of biological phenomena using conceptual change instructional model in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal (LICEJ), 8(4), 2775-2780.
Gisio, J. M., & Mugwiria, R. (2024). Influence of gender on students’ academic achievement in biology when taught using experiential learning approach in secondary schools in Maara Subcounty, Kenya. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), VIII (IX), 2666-2675.
Imanda, C. O. (2025). Gender influence on learners’ attitude towards biology: A pedagogical focus on science process skills. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), x(vii), 1581-1591.
Owoye, P. O., & Agbaje, R. O. (2016). Students’ attitude and gender as correlates of students’ performance in biology in senior secondary school. International Journal of Research and Analytical Review (IJRAR), 3(3), 72-80.
Onyegegbu, N. (2018). Enhancing Nigerian girls’ potentials in science. Breaking barriers into stem career. Perspectives in Science and Technology Education in Nigeria. Great AP Express Publishers Ltd, Nsukka.
Onyejekwe, C. A., Uchendu C. G. & Nnom, T. (2018). Effects of concept mapping on students’ performance in genetics in selected public schools in Obio/Akpor. International Journal of Education and Evaluation, 4(1), 54 - 60.
Onyi, I. E., & Njoku, Z. C. (2019). Problem-solving instructional approach (Psia) for effective learning of stoichiometry in secondary school chemistry. Review of Education, Institute of Education Journal, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 31(II), 215-225.
Safitri, D., Zubaidah, S., Gofur, A., & Lestari, S. R. (2024). Academic level and gender-based mapping of higher school students’ genetic literacy: A cross sectional study in Indonesia. Uniciencia, 38(1), 1-26.
Ugwuoke, U. U. & Oguama, B. E., & Ugwuanyi, C. I. (2020). Effect of 5es constructivist instructional strategy on secondary school physics students’ achievement in Enugu education zone. African Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (AJSTME), 5(1), 28-34.
Uitto, A. (2014). Interest, Attitude, and self-efficacy beliefs explaining upper secondary school students’ orientation towards biology related careers. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education., 12, 1425-1444.
Ullah, R. & Ullah, H. (2019). Boys versus girls’ educational performance: Empirical evidence from global north and global south. African Educational Research Journal, 7(4), 163-167.
Umar, Y. M., Kabiru, F., & Ibrahim, A. A. (2023). Effect of 5es instructional strategy on students’ academic performance in biology among senior secondary schools in Zamfara state, Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Academic and Educational Research, 13(7), 21-30.
UNESCO, (2023). Girls and women’s education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). https:www.unseco.org/gender-equality/education/stem
West Africa Examination Council Chief Examiners' Report (2020). General Comment, Weakness/Remedies and Strength. https://waeconline.org.ng/elearning/Biology/Bio227mc.html.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Assumpta Chinyere Aham, Obiageli Loretta Aniaku, Chidinma Blessing Anita Ugwu (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
