CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Visual aids are any materials or equipment which are employed while teaching to aid learning, by stimulating the senses particularly that of sight (Okeke, 2013). In welding and fabrication for instance, visual aids which ranges from the real object (chipping hammer, electrodes, lighter, metal profiles, hacksaws etc. to representation of materials such as photographs, diagrams or charts are used. Today civilization has made nations to become exposed to assessment and to be classified as either developed or underdeveloped on the basis of their level of economic, social and technological advancement in congruency with her position in international arena. To achieve this need, vocational or trade education is being emphasized at all levels of the nation’s educational system especially in the secondary education level. Inyiagu (2009) defined Vocational or Trade Education as the education for youths and adults interested in preparing for progress in a career in some type of satisfying and productive work or occupation. Visual aids include pictures, textbooks, charts, models, television, films, radio maps, tape recorders, slides, video tapes, strip projectors and overhead projectors. Physical facilities include classrooms, theatres, laboratories, resource centres, etc. As a matter of fact, vocational or trade subjects have advantages in terms of suitability for visual aids because substances and processes are common and can easily be seen and demonstrated.

        On the other hand Economics as a subject came into existence in 1776 via the publication of Adam Smith - the protagonist of the classical school of thought; and since then, it has assumed many roles especially in both political and educational circles. The study of Economics is dichotomised into two major parts, namely microeconomics and macroeconomics. While microeconomics studies the behaviour and operations of the individual units (households, firms and government agencies) in the economy, macroeconomics studies the entire economy in aggregates and averages (Umoh, 2007). According to Aromolaran (2006), three major languages are used in teaching and communicating Economic ideas. These languages include theory or verbal, geometric or graphical, and algebraic or mathematical language. 

Economics is an important subject that must be credited by students before gaining admission into any tertiary institution especially the university to study relevant courses like Accountancy, Business Administration, Insurance, etc. The importance and technicality of this subject makes it necessary that relevant instructional materials should be used to teach it to the learners. This fact is supported by Macaulay (1989) who asserts that visual aids make lesson come alive and help students to learn better.

It is against this background that this study attempts to examine the extent to which the application of audio-visual aid in teaching economics in senior secondary schools.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Poor academic achievement in Economics could be attributed to many factors among which teacher’s strategy itself was considered as an important factor. This implies that the mastery of Economics concepts might not be fully achieved without the use of audio-visual aid. The teaching of Economics without audio-visual aid may certainly result in poor academic achievement. Franzer, Okebukola and Jegede (1992) stressed that a professionally qualified science teacher no matter how well trained, would unable to put his ideas into practice if the school setting lacks the equipment and materials necessary for him or her to translate his competence into reality.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine the application of audio-visual aid in teaching economics in senior secondary schools. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. to examine the extent to which audio-visual aid is used in teaching economics in most secondary schools in Nigeria
2. to determine the relationship between  the use of audio-visual aid and students achievement in economics
3. to investigate on the factors affecting the use of audio-visual aid in teaching economics in senior secondary schools in Nigeria
4. to proffer solution to the above stated problems

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The research questions for the study are:

1. To what extent is audio-visual aid used in teaching economics in most secondary schools in Nigeria?
2. What is the relationship between the use of audio-visual aid and student’s achievement in economics?
3. What are the factors affecting the use of audio-visual aid in teaching economics in senior secondary schools in Nigeria?

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant relationship between the use of audio-visual aid and student’s achievement in economics

H1: there is significant relationship between the use of audio-visual aid and student’s achievement in economics

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study on the application of audio-visual aid in teaching economics in senior secondary schools will be of immense benefit to teachers and students in Nigeria in the sense that the study will educate the teachers on the benefits and how to use audio-visual aid in teaching. The study will also serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of existing literature and knowledge in this field of study and provide a basis for further research

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study on the application of audio-visual aid in teaching economics in senior secondary schools will cover on audio-visual aid, the types and the advantages of audio-visual aid in teaching economics.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Audio Visual Materials: All the teaching materials use by teachers which deals with seeing and hearing. They are multimedia materials includes television, radio, tape recorder.

Trained Teachers: Is one trained to give instructions, knowledge and skills to someone in a particular field or more

Teaching Materials: All the equipments used by teachers while teaching and which makes teaching clearer and easier for the students to understand

Laboratory: A room or building used for scientific experiment, research and testing and given report to

Film Strip: These are series of picture with scripts written by teachers are shown on screen for academic purposes with aid learning and teaching effective.

Slide Projector: These are electrical project which show pictures in motion and to learning diagrams or instruction on a screen.

Chart: A labeled picture meant for students to look at constantly for familiarization of words