CO-OPERATIVE LEARNING STRATEGY ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN URUE OFFONG ORUKO LGA

Abstract

Despite the importance of Social Studies in fostering civic competence, social awareness, and responsible citizenship among Junior Secondary School students, academic achievement in the subject has continued to decline in many public secondary schools. The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of cooperative learning strategy and academic achievement of social studies students in Junior Secondary School in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The research question and hypothesis were formulated in line with the research objective. Methodologically, cross-sectional survey research design was adopted in the study. Related literature aimed at enriching the conceptual framework were reviewed. The population of the study was 1002 junior secondary school student in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and a sample size of 277 were determined using Krejcies and Morgan Formula. The collected data were further analyzed using simple percentage and Simple Linear Regression at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that the two independent variables (interdependence and individual accountability, were significantly relates with the academic achievement of social studies students in Junior Secondary School in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. it was concluded that positive interdependence, and individual accountability, are relational dimensions that can influence the academic achievement of social studies students in Junior Secondary School in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It was recommended that Social Studies teachers in Junior Secondary Schools in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area should deliberately adopt cooperative learning strategies that promote positive interdependence. Teachers should design learning activities where students depend on one another to achieve shared academic goals, such as group projects, joint problem-solving tasks, and collaborative discussions