EFFECT OF JIGSAW I MODEL ON UPPER-BASIC EIGHT STUDENTS INTEREST IN MATTER IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

This study investigated the Effect of Matter & Jigsaw I Model on Basic Eight JL Students' Interest in Matter in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted an ex-post facto design. The population consisted of 1,677 (1,000 males and 677females) Upper basic eight Matter students. Sample size of 63 (38 males and 25 females) students were randomly selected using a simple random sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection was Students' Matter Interest Questionnaire (SM1Q) and was validated by experts. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were raised for the study. Descriptive statistics of mean rank and sum of mean rank were used to answer the research questions. Inferential statistics of Mann-Whitney U-test was the statistical tool used for testing the hypotheses at p< 0.05 level of significance. The finding among others reveal that: there was a significant difference between the interest level of Upper Basic eight students' taught Matter using Jigsaw I model and those taught using Lecture method in favor of the Upper Basic eight students taught using Jigsaw I model Also, there was no significant difference between the interest level of male and female Basic eight students taught Matter using Jigsaw I Model. It was therefore recommended among others that Jigsaw I model should be used to teach students irrespective of gender.