EFFECTIVENESS OF GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS ON MEMORY RETENTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

The present study investigated the effectiveness of graphic organizers in enhancing the memory retention of secondary school students in comparison with traditional teaching methods. Graphic organizers such as concept maps, mind maps, flow charts, and diagrams provide visually structured representations of information and may facilitate meaningful learning, comprehension, and recall. The study adopted an experimental method to examine the effectiveness of graphic organizer-based instruction among secondary school students. A sample of 50 students studying in Standard IX was selected and divided into an experimental group of 25 students and a control group of 25 students. The experimental group was taught using lesson plans based on graphic organizers, whereas the control group was taught using traditional teaching methods. A lesson transcript and achievement test were used as the major tools and materials for the study. Pre-test results indicated that the two groups were comparable in terms of memory retention, with mean scores of 15.92 for the control group and 16.10 for the experimental group, and the obtained critical ratio was not significant. Following the instructional treatment, the experimental group achieved a higher post-test mean score of 21.54 and a mean percentage score of 86.16, compared with a mean score of 18.10 and a mean percentage score of 72.40 for the control group. The reported critical ratio indicated a significant difference between the post-test performances of the two groups. The findings demonstrate that graphic organizer-based instruction was more effective than the traditional method in improving students' memory retention and achievement. The study therefore highlights the value of visually supported, learner-centred instructional strategies and suggests that graphic organizers can be effectively integrated into secondary school classroom practices to promote meaningful learning, better understanding, and enhanced retention.