Bizimana, Emmanuel
5 Publications in AERD
Author Publications
Export PDFStudents' Perceptions of the Classroom Learning Environment and Engagement in Cooperative Mastery Learning-Based Biology Classroom Instruction
By Bizimana, Emmanuel
Literature confirms that students' engagement in biology is necessary predictor of their learning outcomes. However, how to do so is less certain. Therefore, this study investigated whether students taught biology using Cooperative Mastery Learning (CML) had different perceptions of learning environment and engagement when compared to those taught using Conventional Teaching Methods (CTM). A sample of 298 students (151 male and 147 female) in 7 intact biology classes was used. A modified What Is Happening In this Class (WIHIC) and Student Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ) were used to collect data. Data were mainly analyzed using the multivariate analysis of variance and simple correlation analysis. The findings indicated a statistically significant difference for all WIHIC and SEQ scales with students in CML scoring higher than students in CTM classes. Students' perceptions of WIHIC scales were statistically significantly associated with SEQ scales. The findings provide important information about how students' exposure to CML can help them be more engaged in biology classes. Hence, the CML is a practical instructional strategy with significant implications for teachers, biology syllabus designers, and curriculum planners.
Improving students’ cognitive process in biology using concept mapping and cooperative mastery learning strategies
By Bizimana, Emmanuel
Students’ performance in biology in Rwanda National Examinations has been reported to be unsatisfactory. This demands teachers to shift to methods that enable students to acquire meaningful learning. In an attempt to cope with this situation, the effects of concept mapping (CM) and cooperative mastery learning (CML) on the cognitive process in biology among lower secondary school students in Nyamagabe district, Rwanda was investigated. A quasi-experimental non-equivalent pre-test, post-test control group design was applied to a sample of 449 senior secondary school two (SS2) students (224 males and 225 females) drawn from seven co-educational secondary schools purposively selected from 46 schools. The students were in CM (n=151), CML (n=144) and conventional teaching method (CTM) (n=154) groups. The biology Achievement Test with a reliability of 0.82 obtained from the Kuder Richardson (KR-21) formula was used to collect data. Analysis of Covariance and Bonferroni test were applied for data analysis. Findings revealed that CM and CML groups scored better in all cognitive domains tested than the CTM group. A statistically significant difference between CM and CML was observed in favor of the CM. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the CM and CML are capable of improving secondary school students’ mastery of the content taught at all levels of cognition. Therefore, learning with CM and CML could be a viable option for teachers for addressing attainment issues in biology. © 2022, Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science. All rights reserved.
Fostering students' retention in photosynthesis using concept mapping and cooperative mastery learning instructional strategies
By Bizimana, Emmanuel
The performance in biology at the secondary level has not been as good as expected. This has been a matter of concern. Thus, there has been a continuous focus on exploring newer innovative learner-centered and friendly instructional strategies to enhance understanding and retention in biology. This study, therefore, determined the effects of Concept Mapping (CM) and Cooperative Mastery Learning (CML) on fostering retention in photosynthesis among secondary schools in Nyamagabe district, Rwanda. A pre-test and post-test non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was used. Data were obtained from 151 students taught with CM, 144 students taught with CML, and 154 students taught with Conventional Teaching Methods (CTM). The Photosynthesis Retention Test (KR-21= 0.82) was used for data collection. The data were mainly analyze d using mean and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The results showed that the CM and CML treatment groups outperformed the CTM group in retention in photosynthesis. There was a statistically significant difference in favor of the CM between the two experimental groups. The male and female students taught using CM retained equally in photosynthesis while gender difference was revealed in the mean retention scores of the students exposed to the CML, with females retained significantly higher than males. The study concluded that the CM and CML strategies were more effective than CTM. It was suggested, among other things, that teachers should be encouraged to apply CM and CML strategies when teaching biology. © 2022 The Author(s).
Effects of Concept Mapping and Cooperative Mastery Learning Strategies on Students’ Achievement in Photosynthesis and Attitudes towards Instructional Strategies
By Bizimana, Emmanuel
Students' low performance in biology perturbs many teachers and other stakeholders. This has sparked research into learning strategies that might be utilized to improve students’ performance in the subject. This study investigated the effects of Concept Mapping (CM) and Cooperative Mastery Learning (CML) on students' achievement in photosynthesis. A pre-test, post-test, non-equivalent control group, quasi-experimental design was used. A sample of 449 students was drawn from the population of 6,708 senior two secondary students (SS2) in Nyamagabe district, Rwanda. Photosynthesis Achievement Test (PAT) (KR-21 = .82), Attitude Towards Concept Mapping Questionnaire (ATCMQ), and Attitude Towards Cooperative Mastery Learning Questionnaire (ATCMLQ) were used for data collection. Data were analyzed mainly using mean and standard deviation, Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and t-test. Findings revealed that the students who were exposed to the CM and CML attained significantly higher mean achievement scores in the PAT than those exposed to Conventional Teaching Methods (CTM) (F (2, 445) = 385.242, p<0.05). The CM group students achieved significantly better than the CML group. Moreover, there was no significant interaction effect between instructional strategies and gender in achievement (F (2, 442) =. 344, p > .05). The students showed a significant and positive attitudes towards the use of CM over the use of CM (t=5.8, p<.05). Thus, the CM and CML are effective strategies for successful and meaningful photosynthesis learning. It was recommended among other things that the biology teachers should use the CM and CML to enhance students’ achievement in biology especially in difficult and abstract concepts like photosynthesis. ©Authors
Enhancing students’ attitude towards biology using concept mapping and cooperative mastery learning instructional strategies: Implication on gender
By Bizimana, Emmanuel
The effects of Concept Mapping (CM) and Cooperative Mastery Learning (CML) strategies on students' attitudes towards biology were investigated in this study to instill a positive attitude in students toward biology. The study adopted a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design with pre-and post-tests. A total of 449 senior secondary students (SS2) from Nyamagabe District, Rwanda was studied. Pre- and post-administration of biology Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) with the reliability (?= 0.95) was used to obtain data. Mean, standard deviation, analysis of covariance, and Bonferroni test were applied for data analysis. The findings showed that students exposed to the CM and CLM strategies have a significantly higher attitude towards biology than those taught using conventional teaching methods (CTM) (F (2, 445) =26.717, p=.000<.05). There was no significant difference in mean attitude scores between male and female students who were taught biology using CM (F (1,148) =.635, p=.427>0.05) and CML (F (1,141) =. 670, p=.796>0.05). Also, the results showed no significant interaction effect of treatment and gender on the attitude of students towards biology (F (2,442) =.586, p=.557>0.05). The study concluded that the CM and CML are effective teaching strategies in raising students’ attitudes towards biology regardless of gender. It is recommended among other things that biology teachers should adopt the CM and CML strategies during instruction to help students develop a positive attitude toward biology. © 2022 University of Helsinki. All rights reserved.
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