Enhancing Genetics Education: Effects of Audio-visual and Simulation-based Learning Strategies on University Pre-service Biology Teachers' Academic Achievement in Ogun State, Nigeria

The effectiveness of traditional teaching methods in Genetics education has often been questioned,especially as Pre-service Biology teachers struggle to comprehend abstract and complex Geneticconcepts. This study determined the Effects of Audio-visual and simulation-based strategies onAcademic Achievement in Genetics among University pre-service Biology teachers in Ogun State,Nigeria. Hypothesis was formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. A pretest–posttestquasi–experimental design was applied. A total of 90 Biology education students, comprising 45male and 45 female participants, took part in this study. Genetics Achievement Test with reliabilityat 0.79 (KR-20 = 0.79) and Guides for Instruction in Teaching and Learning of Genetics were usedas instruments for data collection. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used for data analysis.There was significant interaction effect of audio-visual and simulation-based learning strategieson academic achievement in Genetics among pre-service Biology teachers in Ogun CentralSenatorial District of Ogun State, Nigeria (F(1; 67) = 17.717, p < 0.05). It was concluded that ablended approach, incorporating both audio-visual Strategy and Simulation-based learningstrategy enhanced achievement in Genetics among university pre-service Biology teachers in OgunState, Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was suggested that institutions should encourage thesimultaneous use of Audio-visual and Simulation-based Learning Strategies, designing lessonsthat integrate visual aids and interactive simulations for teaching Genetics.