The effectiveness of discussion methods in teaching Christian religious education in secondary schools in Bungoma central district of Bungoma county

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of discussion method in teaching Christian Religious Education (CRE) in secondary schools in Bungoma Central district, Bungoma County. The objectives of the study were to find out the forms of discussion method used, to establish its effect on performance in the subject, to investigate the use of media resources as support materials in the use of discussion method and to find out the challenges which teachers of CRE experience in the use of discussion method in teaching. The study was guided by a theoretical framework based on constructivism by Bruner (1966) which states that learning is more effective when a learner is actively engaged in the learning process rather than attempting to receive knowledge passively. A descriptive survey design was used. The target population was teachers of CRE and form three students taking CRE. The sample size was 251 form three CRE students and eight teachers of CRE. The sampling procedures used were stratified, simple and purposive sampling. Questionnaire and document analysis were used in collection of data. The descriptive statistics used included percentages, means and frequency tables from the gathered data. The research findings were that discussion method was used in teaching CRE although the forms of discussion were not varied but limited largely to class discussion and small group discussion. The discussion method was very effective in the teaching of CRE as it promoted good performance. However, the study established that there are various challenges that teachers of CRE experience in the use of discussion method. They include; inadequate time, inadequate media resources, wide syllabus, inadequate space, noise and lack of participation by some students. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should induct CRE teachers on the use of varied forms of discussion method to enhance its use. It should also provide varied media resources and train more CRE teachers to reduce the workload.