CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The importance of instructional materials in the teaching and learning situation in school cannot be over emphasized. Instructional materials are teaching aids that uses both sight and sound to convey the meanings to students and enrich the learning experience of students (Nolan, 1988).

With reference to education, instructional materials or teaching devices which appeal to the sense of sight and sound are referred to as audio-visual aids. These help to motivate and make students to participate in the learning activities with good retention through good pictures or chart produced to be seen with eyes and sound to be heard with ears simultaneously.

When instructional materials are used according to Nolan (1988), students or learners interest are aroused, the lesson becomes real, students participate more actively and they retain much more than when Instructional materials are not used.

Studies such as that which was conducted by Bekaiye (1989) and Iwoh (1988), revealed that instructional materials were either not available in schools or where they are available, they were not effectively used. Instructional materials may be like pictures or graphs in nature. They includes model, field trips, charts, text books, chalkboard, illustrations etc.

There is truth in the adage which says “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Nolan (1988) felt that students retain much more when they see and hear than when they only read and see. He also felt that learning comes about in a shorter period of time when instructional materials are relied upon.

The role of instructional materials in the teaching and learning system cannot be over emphasized. Ademola (2004) stressed that instructional materials serve as an aid for effective and efficient learning in any learning system and that it is also a pivot for the economic and social justification of any learning system. He further argues that instructional materials does not only play vital role in terms of learning process of individuals but also helps the overall development of the individuals. Oshodi (1996) in his opinion says Nigeria must release the good work of her investment on education through instructional materials for it is these materials that will bring into reality, her work. Hence, he advocated for the supply of instruction materials in schools. He also advise that instructional materials that facilitate teaching should be used throughout all educational levels from nursery education to university education.

Subsequently, the importance of instructional materials in achieving educational objectives was vividly highlighted by Ajayi and Salami (1999), when they submitted that instructional materials improve teachers competence, effectiveness of instruction and good classroom control. It makes the learning environment more appreciable and conducive. The learner’s attention is better controlled and sustained throughout the lesson.

Adeyemi (1993), supported the above opinion by saying that when children see things it makes much more lasting impression on them than by mere hearing about things. Thus, this study is concerned with the perceived effect of instructional materials on students academic achievement. In this regard selected secondary schools in Lagos State shall be used as cases for study.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In every facet of life man explores many ways of communicating his ideas, skills and knowledge in an effective manner. The ability to recall and apply appropriate by what is being taught is learning. A teacher is aware of this basic truth and therefore seeks possible ways of his making teaching effective. Exclusive use of words alone to convey meaning, ideas and knowledge has been found to be ineffective. Apart from being ineffective, it runs contrary to some principles of learning. Common experience and research revealed that people learn differently, therefore, the teacher has to present instruction in a way that would gain the attention of the learners that learners will be able to recall what is being taught with less difficulty and also make sure that learning take place effectively. This can be achieved by the various materials the teacher employees to make learning effective.

The rationale then for using instructional materials is to cater for the unique learning style of various categories of learners. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the perceived effect of instructional materials on students academic achievement. As such, emphasis shall be on the influence of arousing and sustaining student learning interest, changing attitude, level of acquisition and retention of factual information as well as motivation of learners. 

PURPOSE OF STUDY

This study intends to determine the perceived effect of instructional materials on students academic achievement. It also aimed at investigating how instructional materials could contribute to teaching and learning in the classroom. Amongst others the study is designed.

i.             To find out whether instructional materials arouses learner’s interest.

ii.           To find out whether instructional materials aid learner’s retention of information.

iii.          To determine the influence of instructional materials on class participation of learners.

iv.          To determine the influence of instructional materials on learners motivation. 

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i.             To what extent does instructional materials influence the educational achievement of students? This study was designed to address the following additional research questions:

ii.           Does instructional materials influence the learners class participation.

iii.          Does instructional materials motivate students in the learning process?

iv.          Does instructional materials arouse the learners learning interest?

v.            Does instructional materials aid the learners retention ability?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

1.           Instructional materials will not significantly influence the learner’s class participation.

2.           Instructional materials will not significantly motivate students in the learning process.

3.           Instructional materials will not significantly arouse the learners learning interest.

4.           Instructional materials with not significantly influence student’s retention ability.

5.           Instructional materials will not significantly influence student’s academic achievement.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The perceived effect of instructional materials on students academic achievement is significant with particular reference to some selected secondary schools in Mushin Local Government both private and public schools.

The outcome of this study and its recommendations will motivate various governments and school authorities to fashion out ways of effectively utilizing instructional materials in the teaching and learning of subjects in secondary schools.

Specifically, students could be put up right in the effective use of instructional materials by the teacher for quicker assimilation and retention of facts in the teaching learning system in various schools.

The parents would not be left out also. They would be well informed as to the importance of the use of appropriate instructional materials by teachers in the teaching of various subject as well as been able to come to the aid of schools financially towards procurement of modern instructional materials and appreciate projects given to their wards as assignments.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

For the purpose of this study. The researcher focused and concentrated on five secondary schools randomly selected in Mushin Local Government both public and private as the target population.

The names of the schools used were:

1.           Eko Boys Secondary School (Public)

2.           Barch Freeman High School (Public)

3.           Standard Comprehensive College (Private)

4.           Nigeria Model Secodnary School (Private)

5.           Ransome Kuti Memorial Grammar School (Public)

All located in Mushin Local Government

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study is limited to a geographical area in Mushin.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Perceived: This means to become award of through the senses, to see, to understand etc.

Instructional Materials: These are materials that facilitate teaching and learning process.

Learning: It means to gain knowledge, skills, make process by being taught.

Teachers: This refers to those that are concerned with impacting knowledge, values, skills and culture in the curriculum to the learners.

Learners: These are the receiver or to whom knowledge, skills and cultural value are transmitted. 

Achievement: This means to accomplished or to get something done.