Blended Learning on Students’ Performance and Interest in Phonetics at University of Port Harcourt

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue V, May 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Blended Learning on Students’ Performance and Interest in Phonetics at University of Port Harcourt

CHUKWUEMEKA, CHINWE JOYCE¹, Professor C. N. Olele², Dr. L. N. Abraham^3
1,2,3Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract:- This study researched on the utilization of A la Carte model of blended learning on the performance and interest of two hundred (200) level college students in the department of Educational Foundation, Faculty of Education, and two hundred (200) level college students of English department, Faculty of Humanities, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Two-group pretest-posttest semi experimental research design was utilized. The investigation had three (3) research questions and three (3) hypotheses. A sample size of one hundred (100) students was drawn utilizing purposive sampling process. Two (2) instruments were utilized for data collection: Questionnaire on Students’ Interest in Phonetics (QOSIP) and Phonetics Performance Test (PPT). The instruments response design was in four-point Likert scale of Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree. A criterion mean of 2.5 was utilized to distinguish college students’ interest for Phonetics through blended learning. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were utilized to address the study questions while the null hypothesis were tested utilizing Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The discoveries uncovered that A la Carte model of blended learning improved the performance and boost the interest of the students. It was thus suggested that Phonetics lecturers should blend their teaching to conquer the fear students have for Phonetics.

Keywords: Blended learning, Students’ performance, Phonetics, University of Port Harcourt.

I. INTRODUCTION

English language as a channel of communication will never be over-emphasized. English remains Nigeria’s Lingua Franca and the language of teaching in schools, it has kept up its position as the most fundamental subject in Nigeria educational system. The effect of English Language to Nigeria’s nation building has driven the Federal government to pick it as an obligatory subject to each student from early years to secondary (FRN, 2014). Despite the vital role of English language among Nigerian speakers, performance at the senior optional school level have been poor (NECO, 2016; WAEC, 2016).

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