Effect of Hands-On Instructional Approach on Pupils’ Achievement and Retention in Cultural and Creative Arts

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a hands-on educational approach on pupils' achievement and retention in the Cultural and Creative Arts.   Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework for this study is based on cognitive learning and experiential learning.   Methodology: Study participants were primary five pupils in Oshimili South Local Government Area, Delta State. As part of this study, ten hands-on activities were used to engage primary five pupils in the learning process. Hands-on activities included magazine family puppets, musical glasses, painting to music, PVC sculptures, roll an activity, sound boxes, sound cans, sun shadow pictures, and swinging to music. Using a quasi-experimental design, two research questions and two hypotheses were developed and tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The study involved 100 primary five pupils from ten primary schools. Participants were divided into experimental and control groups (n=50). Culture and creative arts were taught through hands-on activities in the experimental group, but not to their counterparts in the control group. Despite this, after four weeks of experimentation, pretest and posttest data were collected from both groups. Data were collected using the Cultural and Creative Arts Achievement Test (CCAT) and the Cultural and Creative Arts Retention Test (CCRT). Participants were given the instruments directly by their respective group leaders. Based on the mean and standard deviation of the test scores, ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses.   Findings: A significant effect of hands-on instruction on pupils' achievement and retention in cultural and creative arts was found. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that pupils should be exposed to sophisticated hands-on materials to improve their achievement and retention in cultural and creative arts, and that teachers also be trained on how to use hands-on instructions in the classroom.   Research, Practical & Social Implications: The study promotes active engagement and participation, which allows pupils to actively participate in the learning process. They gain a better understanding of the subject matter and retain more information. The hands-on approach promotes creativity and problem-solving skills. Pupils are encouraged to think critically, solve problems, and come up with innovative solutions through hands-on activities. As a result, their creative thinking skills are enhanced, and they are prepared for future challenges in the creative arts industry.   Originality/Value: In the cultural and creative arts domain, hands-on instructional methods offer originality and uniqueness. Pupils gain a deeper understanding of subjects through interactive and hands-on classroom experiences. Hands-on activities can assist teachers in creating a more engaging and effective learning environment, resulting in improved pupil performance and retention.