EFFECT OF CONSTRUCTIVIST TEACHING APPROACH ON STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND RETENTION IN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE WORKS TRADE IN TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN TARABA STATE

This study sought to determine the effect of the constructivist approach on students’ academic performance and retention in Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works trade in Technical Colleges in Taraba State. The study was guided by three research questions. The study adopted a pre-test – post-test non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental research design and an opinion survey research design. The population of the study comprised the entire 200 Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works (EIMW) Trade students in NTCII in the six Government Science and Technical College in Taraba State. The sample size for the study was 71 students. The instruments used for data collection was a 20-item multiple choice question covering four content areas in electrical installation and maintenance work trade. The instruments were validated by three experts, two from the department of Electrical Technology Education, Modibbo Adama University Yola and one from Government Science and Technical College Yola. The achievement test instrument (EIMWAT). The data were analyzed using the statistical mean, and standard deviation. Findings of the study include among others: There were no significant differences between the mean performance of students taught Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works trade using the constructivist and demonstration teaching method in Technical Colleges in Taraba State; It was recommended among others that Technical Colleges should integrate the constructivist approach into their teaching strategies, as it significantly improves students’ academic performance; Educators should undergo regular professional development programme on constructivist teaching strategies to effectively implement them in technical subjects; Schools should provide adequate instructional materials.