AN ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS FOR EFFICIENT TEACHING AND LEARNING OF ENGLISH.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to find out the effect of instructional materials on students’ academic performance in social studies in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State. The researcher formulated three research questions to direct the study after a review of relevant and related literature in chapter two. The investigator, in his design, adopted the descriptive survey design which studied samples of both large and small populations to discover the relative incidence. The population of study was JSS two students of 2013/2014 session who were used for the random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a fifteen-item questionnaire and information coded therein was analyzed using the simple percentage. From the analysis some results were arrived at and based on the results and findings, recommendations were made:

1. The public should be aware of the uses of instructional materials which will aid in the understanding of social studies;

2. Emphasis must be placed on instructional materials inorder to inculcate the spirit of learning social studies; and finally, government and non-governmental agencies should assist in the provision of instructional materials for effective teaching and learning of social studies in secondary schools.

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The use of instructional materials in teaching and learning of social studies in secondary schools today is not absolutely new. What is new is the technological equipment that have been introduced recently into the teaching and learning process. With the evolving technology and the new communication media, efforts are on the increase in the application of instructional aids to learning; a development that has proven to be beneficial to learners.

Many teachers are not knowledgeable or find it difficult to use instructional materials when teaching because of lack of training on it’s application for effective use and dissemination of knowledge. Some teachers do not see the instructional materials for use. Hence, teachers are faced with the problem of talking about instructional materials without making bold attempts.

It is virtually important that teachers keep in mind the purpose for which instructional materials are used. The characteristics and special need for pupils to be taught by them and the bases for selecting the materials most likely use to help learners achieve the objective of their study. For example, teachers must know when to use a film to clarify important concepts rather than explaining it in a text book. When to use discussion alone, when to embark on a field trip with the showing and discussion of a related film strip, when to assign outside viewing of television programme of self-study of a programmed filmstrip or when to have the class produce diagrams or flannel boards illustrations as part of summarizing oral report on one aspect of class work.

The modern method of teaching is known as formal process. Therefore whether in a formal or informal situation, knowledge are easily assimilated.

This study attempts to find out how well equipped the teacher are to impact knowledge to their students, taking cognizance of information made available from both the electronic and print media.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The deteriorating state of our educational system is quite worrisome. The problem teachers and students encounter in our educational system include inadequate teaching and learning materials.

Instructional materials are bought into play along the line to enhance educational achievement whenever they are properly used. Nevertheless, it has been realized that there is a need for a coordinated source of information for pre-service teachers on the preparation and utilization of instructional materials. This will help to reduce most of the problems in the teaching and learning process. Inspite of this, the problem associated with this instructional materials is the procurement of the instructional materials. Other problems that hinder the effective use of instructional materials in schools include lack of electricity supply to operate some visual aids, lack of qualified educational technologists to operate them. However, curriculum planners should emphasize the use of instructional materials by teachers for a break-through in educational attainments. What ponders the mind of researchers and most educationalists is whether introduction of teaching aids during a lesson can achieve results no matter the level of qualification and experience of the teacher.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study is to :-

– Determine the effect of the instructional materials on the performance of social studies students in secondary schools in Etung Local Government Area.

– Determine whether the use of instructional materials has any influence in the teaching of social studies in secondary schools in Etung Local Government Area.

– Determine whether models and specimens are more effective in the teaching of social studies in secondary school in Etung Local Government Area than pictures and charts.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is therefore the researcher’s expectation that upon completion of this study, the findings of the study will be beneficial to teachers,students, government and the general public in more ways than one.

First, this study will assist the teachers in secondary school in Etung Local Government to adopt the consistent use of instructional materials in the classrooms to make learning interesting and enhance better understanding by the students.

Since the use of instructional materials in teaching in a formal or informal situation has positive results in the sense that it enhance effective understanding in the learners, it will therefore enable government to produce more instructional materials to all the schools, to enhance productivity in education.

Moreso, it is seen and believed that the use of instructional materials will immensely help in creating picture interaction in the mind of those that are slow to learn in the school learners.

For proper discussion and understanding of abstract concepts and themes, materials must be used to drive home the learning, and in concrete terms.

This research will also serve as a point of inquiry and reference for both students and members of the public who want to know or carryout related study on this area.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to guide this study:-

1. What effect does instructional materials exert on student academic performance in social studies in secondary schools ?.

2. To what extend does the use of instructional materials facilitate and enhance effective teaching and learning of social studies in secondary schools. ?

3. Does the use of models and specimens increase knowledge and appreciation of the subject content ?.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study on the effect of instructional materials on students performance in social studies in Etung Local Government Area is due to constraints such as inadequate finance and settlement. The researcher therefore limited her investigation to five secondary schools in the study area in Etung Local Government Area.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Instructional Aids:- This can be used interchangeably as instructional materials. They are aids used by the teacher in classroom to supplement the transmission of knowledge with a view to emphasizing clarification of instructions.

Audio-Aids: This are instructional materials that apply only to the sense of hearing e.g radio, cassette recorder.

Visual Aids:- This are instructional materials that apply only to the sense of sight e.g film, chart.

Audio-Visual Aids:- This is a term derived out of audio and visual, to indicate a variety of communication materials used to send out message, ideas and experiences through the active participation of sense organs of both sight and hearing e.g television, video tapes.

Secondary Schools:- This refers to the formal academic programmes meant for children who have completed their primary school course and are between the age of eleven to seventeen years and above.

Academic Performance:- This refers to the level of grade or scores that a student obtains in class test or internal and external examination after due process of evaluation.