Abstract:
Science is an important subject for students in all grades from primary to secondary level. Science
is a core subject in General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (G.C.E. O/L). However, the
students‟ achievement level of G.C.E. (O/L) science is less than the expected level. The aim of this
study was to investigate the effectiveness of activity-based learning on Grade 10 science
comparison to traditional learning with their motivation towards meaningful learning. The mixed
methods approach was used for this study with experimental study design. The sample consisted of
142 Grade 10 students selected from a Type 1AB school and a Type C school. A pre-test was
conducted to divide the sample into experimental and control groups. The study was carried out for
four selected units in Grade 10 Science using activity-based teaching in the experimental group
while using the traditional lecture-based method for the control group. A post-test was given to
measure the students‟ performance after the intervention. Students‟ motivation towards science
was investigated through a questionnaire with Likert scale. Qualitative data were collected through
semi-structured interviews, informal interviews and observations. Six teachers and two in-service
advisors participated for semi-structured interviews. Paired sample t-test and independent sample
t-test for pre-test and post-test marks was conducted to test the difference between students‟
performance of two groups. T-tests were used to analyze quantitative data whereas content
analysis technique was used to analyze qualitative data. The academic achievement for both
groups were positively increased with compared to initial level. Moreover, motivation towards
science learning of students in the experimental group increased significantly (p =.000). The study
reveals that activity-based learning has a positive effect on students‟ performance and student
motivation in learning science. Hence, the study suggests to focus on activity-based learning to
empower students‟ meaningful learning in science.
Keywords: Activity based learning; Science; students‟ performance; Student‟s motivation
