Effects of Scaffolding and Inquiry Teaching Strategies on Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work Students' Academic Performance and Retention in Government Science and Technical Colleges of Gombe State, Nigeria

This study examined the effects of scaffolding instructional strategy and inquiry teaching method on Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work (MVMW) students' academic performance and retention in Government Science and Technical Colleges (GSTCs) of Gombe State, Nigeria. The study was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses tested at a 0.05 significance level. A quasi-experimental non-equivalent research design was adopted, involving 34 NTC II MVMW students purposively selected from three GSTCs. Three different lesson plans were used (Scaffolding, Inquiry, and Conventional Teaching Strategies). Three instruments were used for data collection: Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work Performance Test (MVMWPT), Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work Retention Test (MVMWRT), and Cognitive Style Inventory (CSI). The MVMWPT and MVMWRT had reliability coefficients of 0.788 (KR-20) and 0.780 (Cronbach's Alpha), while the CSI had a reliability coefficient of 0.80. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Findings revealed that the scaffolding strategy produced the highest mean gain (66.68), followed by the inquiry method (48.36) and the demonstration method (34.00). Regarding retention, scaffolding showed the smallest decline (-4.125), followed by inquiry (-4.000), and demonstration (-10.428). There was a significant difference in performance among students taught using the three methods, F (2, 33) = 2660.847, p = 0.000. The study concluded that the scaffolding instructional strategy is the most effective method for improving both academic performance and retention among MVMW students. It was recommended that MVMW teachers actively adopt a scaffolding strategy in their daily lessons, and that the Gombe State Ministry of Education organize regular training workshops to equip teachers with practical skills for designing scaffolded lessons and inquiry activities.

Scaffolding, Inquiry, Demonstration, Academic Performance, Retention, Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work

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