EFFECT OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING ON SECONDARY SCHOOL ECONOMICS STUDENTS CRITICAL THINKING AND COLLABORATIVE SKILLS IN BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAUCHI STATE

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the effect of problem-based learning on secondary school Eco-nomics students critical thinking and collaborative skills in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State. One objective, research question and hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. The re-search design for this study was quasi experimental, pre-test and post-test, experimental and control group design was used for the study. The population comprised all 1809 senior secondary school Economics students in Bauchi Local Government Area and a sample consisting of 118 students were randomly selected from two coeducational schools was used for the study. The experimental group was taught Economics concepts using problem-based learning while the control group was exposed to teacher-centered method. Social Science Problem Based Learning and Collaborative Skills Test (SSPBLCST) adopted by the researcher was validated by experts and pilot tested for reliability. T-test statistic was used to analyze the data collected. The results of the study revealed that SSII secondary school students who were exposed to treatment (PBL) had positive behaviour change towards criti-cal thinking and collaborative skills than those who were not exposed to treatment. Based on the re-search finding, it was recommended that the use of problem-based learning should be encouraged among teachers of Economics to improve students’ critical thinking and collaborative skills.