EFFECT OF PSYCHO-PRODUCTIVE MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST ITEMS ON STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE IN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION EDUCATION IN NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES FOR NATIONAL CHANGE

Abstract

 One of the objectives of agricultural education is to impact skills on the learners. It was observed that graduates of agricultural education from universities find it difficult to earn their living in agriculture practical activities aside white-collar jobs. The researchers interviewed some of these graduates and found out that they were assessed cognitively which resulted to their high grades but with no corresponding competence. It was therefore necessary to assess their competency with psycho-productive multiple choice test items and re-assessed them over time for effectiveness. The study was carried out to determine the effect of psycho-productive multiple choice test items on students' performance in soil and water conservation education in Nigeria universities for national change. The study adopted quasi experimental research design. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The population waw386 students from 4 universities in south East that offer Agricultural Education comprising Alex Ekwueme University Ebonyi 28, Enugu State University of Science and Technology 101, Michael Okpara University Umudike 155 and University Nigeria Nsukka 102. Purposive sampling techniques was used to select 73 year three students. Year three students were considered because they are offering soil and water conservation education at this level; others years (100 and 200) are yet to offer the course and year 4 are at the verge of graduation. Psycho-productive multiple-choice test of 80 items were validated with acceptable reliability of 0.97 and used for data collection by three assistants. Data were analyzed with percentage to answer research questions while ANCOVA statistics were used to test null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that students performed well over time indicating that they will do well in the world or work. It was therefore recommended that students of agricultural education should be assessed with psycho-productive multiple choice test items for effectiveness.