Behaviour Reinforcement and Learning Capabilities of Students in Selected Secondary Schools n Kangundo District,Kenya,

ABSTRACT 

This study identified behavior reinforcement and learning capabilities of students in selected secondary schools in Kangundo District of, Kenya. four research questions and one null hypothesis. Objective one dealt with students’ profile, as to age, gander, Year of study and previous grade in exañ’iination. Second objective dealt with level of behavior reinforcement of students, Objective three dealt with learning capabilities of students and the fourth objective dealt correlation between behavior reinforcement and learning capabilities of students in secondary schools in Kangundo District. The study used descriptive correlation design. The study targeted population of 1440 students in 26 schools; consisting of 1440 students. Respondents’ were3l3 sampled from the target population using Sloven’s formula, The study reveals that majority of students (65.2%) were aged between 15 and 16 years. However there was disparity in gender balance in the enrolment with (57.4%) of the students being males and (42.6%) females. Student performance was still wanting in secondary schools in the district since the best grades A and A~ were missing in the analysis. The mean of the previous examination grades was 6.986 with majority of students (32%) scoring a mean grade of C+ on the level of behavior reinforcement majority of students was low as continuous reinforcement was overused. Majority students(mean, 4.28) felt that good, very good and excellent were the best terms for verbal reward, while a significant number (mean, 3.71) of the student agreed that token rewarding is commonly used after examinations but the value attached to them is what determines student reinforcement in learning. The data analysis revealed that théPearson linear correlation coefficient P value 0.0037 which was show strong level vi of correlation significance. Therefore, it can be argued that there is very strong evidence against the null hypothesis. This implies that the level of learning behavior reinforcement significantly affects the level of learning capabilities of students in secondary schools. Consequently the null hypothesis is rejected. Based on the findings of the study it was concluded that the level of behavior reinforcement was not adequate in the district. According to the researcher the scenario had manifested the poor examination grades for the students due to low level of Behavior reinforcement. The researcher recommends that Kenyan Ministry of Education should allocate funds in each school to support learning behavior reinforcement activities, sensitize all school principals through capacity building workshops on the need to budget for students learning behavior reinforcement and support schools to instill discipline among students to enhance learning capability. The researcher suggests further research on the topic for other administrative districts to establish whether it will yield the same or different results. The researcher feels that one aspect of reinforcement of behavior reinforcement either positive or negative should have been considered and wide to be done in single stud~i.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Chapter Page

One THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the problem 4

Purpose of the Study 5

Research Objectives 5

Research Question 6

Hypothesis 7

Scope 7

Significance of the Study 8

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 10

Two REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction 12

Concepts, ideas, opinions from Authors/experts 12

Theoretical Perspectives 15

Related studies 16

Three METHODOLOGY 20

Research Design 20

Research Population 20

Sample Size 21

Sampling Procedure 22

Research Instruments 23

Validity and Reliability & the Instrument 24

Data Gathering Procedures 25

Data analysis •‘ 25

Ethical consideration 27

Umltatlons of the Study 27

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF 28

Introduction 28

Profile information of the respondents 30

Level of behavior reinforcement in secondary schools 31

Interpretation from students responses to behavior reInforcement 33

Levei & learning capabilities & students 34

Interpretation responses & students to learning capabilIties 36

The correlation of behavior reInforcement to iearning capabilIties 37

Summary of the findings 39

Five FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS 40

Introduction 40

Overview of the study 40

Flndlng&thestudy 41

Conclusions of the study 44

Recommendations 46

References 49

Appendices

Appendix I : Transmittal Letter 54

Appendix II :Clearance from Ethics Committee 55

Appendix III : Informed consent 56

Appendix IV Research Instruments 58

Researchers Curriculum Vitae 63