THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS IN IMPROVING STUDENT'S ACHIEVEMENT IN MAIDUGURI BORNO STATE

ABSTRACT This study examined the effectiveness of different instructional methods in improving students’ academic achievement in Maiduguri, Borno State. The research was motivated by the persistent educational challenges caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, which has disrupted schooling and reduced learning outcomes in the region. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative data from students’ performance records and surveys with qualitative insights from interviews and classroom observations. The study focused on four instructional methods traditional teaching, mobile learning, trauma-informed teaching, and community-based learning. Data were collected from 300 students and 30 teachers across ten selected schools using stratified random sampling. Quantitative results analyzed through ANOVA revealed significant differences in students’ academic performance across instructional methods (F = 8.72, p < 0.05). Mobile learning produced the highest mean score (67.4%), followed by trauma-informed teaching (63.7%) and community-based learning (61.8%), while traditional teaching recorded the lowest performance (58.2%). Attendance and teacher perception data also favored mobile and trauma-informed approaches for their ability to enhance engagement and emotional support. Qualitative findings highlighted that technology-enhanced and student-centered strategies fostered motivation, participation, and resilience among learners, whereas traditional methods were less responsive to the needs of conflict-affected students. The study concludes that adopting innovative and context-sensitive instructional methods particularly mobile and trauma-informed teaching can significantly improve academic outcomes in conflict-affected regions. It recommends that policymakers, school administrators, and teachers integrate these approaches into classroom practice to promote inclusive, resilient, and effective education in Borno State.