EFFECT OF COMPUTER GAMES ON PUPILS’ RETENTION IN MATHEMATICS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined effect of computer games on pupils’ retention in mathematics in primary schools in Nasarawa State. The study was set out to find out whether the use of computer games (Add-Like-Mad) learning approach would improve pupils’ retention in mathematics. To achieve this purpose, a quasi-experimental research design using pre-test, post-test was adopted. The sample of the study consisted of 522 primary 4 pupils (312 males, 210 females) from 12 primary schools in the state. Two research questions and two hypotheses were asked and formulated for the study. Mathematics Retention Test (MRT) with reliability coefficient of 0.77 was used as an instrument for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were the tools of analysis used to answer the two research questions, while Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test the hypotheses. The analysis of the data showed that the use of computer games learning approach improved the pupils’ retention in mathematics significantly. It was therefore recommended that computer games as a learning approach should be included in mathematics education curriculum. Programmed text materials should be produced to enable pupils to learn mathematics using computer games.