EXPLORING AN EFFECTIVE PEDAGOGY FOR GENERAL STUDIES COURSES DURING COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN 2 TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN GOMBE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study ‘Exploring an Effective Pedagogy for General Studies Courses during COVID 19 Pandemic in 2 Tertiary Institutions in Gombe State’ is a descriptive study aimed to assess the knowledge, beliefs, compliance to COVID-19 protocol by students and teaching staff, and most appropriate teaching and learning method during pandemic in two tertiary institutions in Gombe State, Nigeria, specifically the Federal College of Education Gombe and Gombe State University. Data was collected through administration of questionnaires to 20 students from each of the institution including teaching staff and HODS, Deans and Registrars. A controlled experimental was conducted to 60 students randomly assigned to three groups: traditional face-to-face instruction, online instruction, and blended learning to compare the learning outcomes of students. Data collected show high level of awareness and adoption of COVID-19 protocols among teaching staff and students of both institutions and both schools complied with COVID-19 protocol.  Finally, the study showed that online teaching has higher learning outcome than the traditional face to face method, however a blended learning approach of the 2 teaching methods is considered to produce much higher learning outcome and performance. These findings highlight the need to increase COVID-19 knowledge, adopt protocols, and prioritize the well-being of teachers and students while monitoring compliance with COVID-19 protocols to prevent the rapid spread of the virus in teaching large number of students in a classroom setting.