ASSESSMENT OF STUDY STRATEGIES AND ACHIEVEMENT GOALS OF SANDWICH STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, KWARA STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examined the study strategies and achievement goals of sandwich students in University of Ilorin. The study found out the achievement goals held by sandwich students; study strategies adopted by sandwich students; the relationship between achievement goal and study strategies of sandwich students and determined if the study strategies of sandwich students in University of Ilorin depends on gender. This study employed descriptive survey research design. The population of the study consists of all students of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. A simple random sampling method was used to select 100 students across all the departments. A researcher’s designed questionnaire was used to elicit information on students’ study strategies and achievement goals. Descriptive statistics of percentage t-test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) were used for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that the level of study strategy of sandwich students in University of Ilorin was low on majority; the level of achievement goal students in University of Ilorin was high on majority; there was significant relationship between study strategies and achievement goal of sandwich students in University of Ilorin; there was no is no significant difference in the achievement goal and study strategies of sandwich students in University of Ilorin based on gender. It was therefore recommended that the sandwich students should be orientated on the need to adopt study strategies that will assist them in their academic pursuit; students should be sensitized on the importance of achievement goals and the need to set realistic ones; the sandwich students should be orientated on the need to adopt study strategies that will commensurate with the kind of achievement goals ahead of them; and students, irrespective of gender, should be exposed to the kinds of instructional methods that will assist them in achieving their goals.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.1       Background to the Study

Sandwich study programme is a form of Adult education which United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO, 2006) described as “the entire body of organized educational processes, whatever the content, level, method whether they prolong or replace initial education in schools, colleges and universities as well as in apprenticeship”. Thus, persons regarded as adults by society to which they belong develop their technical or professional skills and bring about changes in their attitudes or behaviours in two-fold perspective of full personal development and participation in balanced and independent social, economic and cultural development.

The sandwich and part-time degree programmes represent one of the last available opportunities or chances for becoming university graduates in Nigeria. This is because there are so many people who are also capable of learning but inadequately or deliberately were not opportuned to do so because of certain reasons. Psychologically, it can be accepted that people who are mature and socially responsible and economically viable, technically qualified and mentally sound, may be considered as the beneficiaries of Sandwich Degree Programme or Course (Akinade, 2007).

Study Strategies plays an important role in the academic achievement of sandwich students. Good study strategies lead to good academic achievement goals and bad study lead to poor academic record as there is direct relationship between study habits and academic achievement (Verma, 2006; Verma and Kumar 2009, Satapathy and Singhal, 2000; Vyas 2002). Ramamurti (2003) rightly emphasized that despite possessing good intelligence and personality, the absence of good study strategy hampers academic achievement. Hence study strategy of students play important role in learning and fundamental to school success. Good study habit skills like note taking, having regular time to study, and organizing for a test, while removing the distraction that comes from television or phone call at home can lead to good academic performance (Tschumper, 2006). Effective study habits help students to achieve good results (Sadia, 2005). A proper study habit enables an individual to reap a good harvest in future.

Achievement goal, According to Okegbile (2007) achievement goal is a pedagogical terminology used while determining learner’s success in formal education, which is measured through factors exerting influence essentially. The National Policy on Education (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2013) has identified school achievement content according to school subjects which are classified as core or elective subjects. In every school setting, students are perpetually in search of academic success, the success of academic achievement is their ultimate goal. Academic achievement in agricultural science can be expressed in the form of good scores and prizes as a result of hard work and exceptional performance in classroom test, assignment and examination (Robinson, 2001). Verma (2006) stressed that good study habits promotes academic performance of the students and high and low achievers as well as over and under achievers differ significantly with regard to quality and strength of their study habit. Learning is defined as a knowledge or skill acquired through study or by being taught.