Effects of Cooperative Learning and Lecture Methods on Senior Secondary School Students’ Academic Achievement in Accounting in Abia State

This study investigated the Effects of Cooperative Learning and Lecture Methods on Senior Secondary School Students’ Academic Achievement in Accounting in Abia State. Three research questions were posed and answered, while three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study was carried out using a total of 100 senior secondary school II out of 4,481 senior secondary school students in two Education Zones of Abia State. A quasi experimental design was used. Specifically the pre-test, post – test control group design and a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design were utilized in the study. The data collection instrument was a 50 item multiple choice Accounting Achievement Test (AAT). The control group was taught using lecture method, while the experimental groups were taught using cooperative learning method. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, z-test and ANCOVA. The study revealed that students taught with cooperative learning method performed significantly better in Achievement test in Accounting than those taught with lecture method of the same Accounting lessons. Cooperative Learning Method had great impact on the students. Students taught with cooperative method in rural areas performed better than those in urban areas. There is a significant difference between those taught Accounting with cooperative learning method and those taught with lecture method. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that cooperative learning method is effective instructional approaches for teaching of Accounting. It was recommended among others that students should be given opportunity to explore new, creative and functional approaches in cooperative method to acquire more experience in Accounting.