ENHANCING STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN BASIC SCIENCE: THE ROLE OF ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING, CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT, AND TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS

This study examined the information and communication technology (ICT) skills relevant for effective learning possessed by undergraduate students. The study made use of descriptive survey research design. The study participants were 320 undergraduate students of university of Nigeria. The instrument used for data collection was “Relevant ICT Skills for Effective Learning among Undergraduate Students Questionnaire” (RISELUSQ). The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach-Alpha method and a reliability coefficient of 0.84 was obtained. Four research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The data collected were subjected to analysis, the mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the hypotheses were tested using t-test and ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that undergraduate students possessed the relevant ICT skills that will enhance their learning and that the ICT skills of the male students were not different from that of the female. The findings also showed that the ICT skills of undergraduate students differ based on their educational level, particularly, between the 100 level and 500 levels. Equally, the finding reveals that the students face some ICT challenges like non-functional/limited projectors in classrooms, limited e-learning facilities among others. Based on the findings, it was recommended that students be encouraged to continue to improve on their ICT skills as it will enable them strive well academically and that school authorities should ensure adequate and proper infrastructures/ICT facilities be put in place within the university environment.

Studies reviewed on student’s achievement in synchronous and asynchronous learning shows mixed results. This study determines whether there exists a significant difference in the achievement of students in online test and measurement course in synchronous and asynchronous e-learning platform. The participants consist of 348 under graduate students of National Open University of Nigeria in online test and measurement course. The researchers employed ex-post facto research design for the study and the instrument used for data collection was the Students Test and Measurement Course Proforma (STMCP). The result revealed that synchronous e-learning improved students` academic achievement more than asynchronous e-learning. It was also found that gender of students significantly influenced their academic achievement in both synchronous and asynchronous learning in favour of the male students. The findings of this study will assist education planners and policy makers in planning decision making process which must come from the students as well as the society in general. Thus, education planners need to review the policies and distance learning curriculum in order to emphasize the importance of distance learning as well as facilitate decisions that will make available relevant and quality distance learning materials which will invariably improve students. Article visualizations:

This study explores the impact of gender, engineering experiences, and role models on high school students’ overall STEM interests and perceptions of engineering. A survey with Likert-scale and open-ended questions was given to 96 high school students (51 female, 45 male; 83% African American, 8% white, and 8% other races) in grades 9–12. We developed a scale measuring STEM interest, mathematical problem-solving confidence, misconceptions about engineering, perceptions of STEM, and self-efficacy. The STEM Dimension Survey (SDS) has a strong Cronbach alpha (= 0.96) and inter-coder agreement (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.77). ANOVA analysis on open response categories and the survey indicates that gender had a relatively small but statistically significant effect on STEM interest, with female students reporting slightly lower interest levels than male students. Students with prior engineering-related experiences demonstrated significantly higher STEM interest and more positive perceptions of engineering, but did not differ in self-efficacy or misconceptions. Notably, 63% of students reported no role model in STEM, and these students consistently reported lower interest, confidence, and self-efficacy. In contrast, those who identified role models reported significantly more positive STEM outcomes across all dimensions. The findings highlight the importance of recognizing students’ lived experiences and their definitions of engineering rather than relying solely on adult-defined narratives. Engineering-related experiences and role model presence are strongly linked to students’ interest and confidence in STEM.

The continuous decline in students’ achievement in physics, especially in wave motion, has become a significant concern among education stakeholders. This study, which examines the moderation of gender and school location in predicting test anxiety on students` achievement in wave motion in physics, offers actionable recommendations for improvement. A correlational research design was adopted. Three research questions and three hypotheses informed the study. A sample of 337 students drawn through a multistage sampling procedure was used for the study. Waves Test Anxiety Inventory (WTAI) and Waves Achievement Test (WAT) instruments were used for data collection. Reliability indices of 0.73 and 0.76 using Cronbach alpha and KR-20 were estimated for WTAI and WAT, respectively. The research questions were answered using regression analysis, while ANOVA and t-test results obtained using Hayes` Process Macro were used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Results showed that test anxiety significantly predicts students` achievement in wave motion. The results showed that the moderation of gender in test anxiety prediction was insignificant. However, the location significantly influenced the prediction of test anxiety on students` achievement in wave motion. It was recommended, among others, that physics teachers ensure that lesson contents are duly covered and that a conducive learning environment, clear instructions, and adequate preparations are made available to students before testing them, thereby potentially improving students' academic performance.