CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
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.