COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF BLENDED AND E-LEARNING ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN RESEARCH METHODOLOGY IN BASIC SCHOOLS OF NURSING IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of blended, e- learning and lecture teaching methods on the academic performance of basic nursing students in research methodology. Four research questions and five null hypotheses guided the study. The quasi-experimental study structured on a 3×2×2 factorial design using pre-test, post-test, control group design is adopted for the study. The study was carried out in three basic schools of nursing in Anambra State. The target population for this study will comprise of all the2nd year basic nursing students in the three Schools of nursing with a total population of 147. The sample size for this study included a total of 147 basic nursing students. Stratified sample procedure was adopted to assign the experimental groups to the schools; each selected basic school of nursing will form a stratum. Data collection instruments in this study will include the following tools: A self-developed instrument using educational materials on research methodology course for assessing the efficacy e-learning and blended teaching methods. A questionnaire survey to be completed by the students to ascertain the perception of students on the various modes of instruction.  The face and content validity of the instrument was carried out by three experts in School of Nursing Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. To establish their reliability, the instruments were administered to 14 students of school of nursing, Adazi representing 10% of the sample. Data generated from the pilot test was computed by the statistician, to establish the consistency of the instrument. The reliability index is 0.8. Data collection procedure involved: Preparation for intervention package; Training and recruitment of research assistants; Training and recruitment of study participants; Activity observations. The mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for testing hypothesis at 0.05 significant levels. The findings of the study indicated that the blended teaching method has positive effects on the academic performance of post basic nursing students. Also, the academic performance of post basic nursing students was highest using blended teaching method, then followed by e-learning teaching method while the lecture teaching method was the least. Among others, it was recommended that the use of blended teaching method be included among the teaching methods in schools in Anambra State and Nigeria in general. This is with the intention to expose the students to most effective teaching method. Furthermore, efforts should be made by school managers to design appropriate on-the-job training for teacher to be proficient in the use of modern and more effective teaching methods for improved academic performance in schools.