Effect of Activity-Based Strategy on Performance in Islamic Studies Concept among Secondary School Students In Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract The current teaching methods employed by Islamic studies teachers in Kaduna state is grossly inadequate and more of teacher-centered approach. Also, the negative attitude of students towards learning of Islamic studies is partially as a result of poor teaching methods employed by teachers’ right from the onset. Thus, deems it fit to investigate on the effectiveness of Activity -Based strategy on Performance in Islamic Studies concept among secondary school students in Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State. The objective of the study was to compare the performance of Islamic studies students taught with activity-based methods and those taught with conventional method. One research question and corresponding null hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. A sample of 2 Senior Secondary Schools within Zaria Metropolis were randomly selected from the target population of 3,753 and were assigned into experimental and control group. The experimental group were exposed to treatment package i.e. taught with activity-based method while control group were taught with conventional method. Instrument used for the study was Islamic Studies Performance and Evaluation Test (ISPET). Descriptive statistics was used to answer research question and t-test statistical analysis to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings from the study revealed that there is significance difference in mean performance score of students taught Islamic concept using activity-based strategy and those exposed to conventional teaching method. The t-value is -17.95, while the sig (p) value is 0.000 (P<0.005) thus, the null hypothesis is hereby rejected. In view of the findings, it is concluded that activity-based teaching methods improves performance by allowing students to actively participate in the learning experience rather than being passive listeners. Thus, it is recommended that since activity-based methods has been found to improve students’ performance in Islamic studies, teachers, should be encouraged to actively involve students into participatory activities rather than passive listeners. Key words: Activity based method, Conventional Method, Performance, Islamic Studies