CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Social Studies is a study connected with all aspects of human beings to enable them live a fulfilled, comfortable and full of achievement life. It studies people in relation to the social, academic, economic, cultural, physical and psychological lives. It has to do with all round development of human beings to enable them become useful citizens in the society. Wesley in Kochhar (2012) saw Social Studies as those portions of the Social Sciences selected for instructional purposes applied to include anything pertinent to the immediate purpose of learning and adapted to the level of comprehension of the student. Abdu-Raheem (2011) observed that the objectives of Social Studies is yet to be achieved as a result of poor teaching and lack or inadequacy of instructional materials to motivate students. Ofuani (2014) also attested to inadequacy of instructional materials and resources in all the schools sampled in his study. Instructional materials are essential and significant tools needed for teaching and learning of school subjects to promote teachers’ efficiency and improve students’ performance. They make learning more interesting, practical, realistic and appealing. They also enable both the teachers and students to participate actively and effectively in lesson sessions. They give room for acquisition of skills and knowledge and development of self- confidence and self- actualization. Ibeneme (2000) defined teaching aids as those materials used for practical and demonstration in the class situation by students and teachers. Ikerionwu (2000) saw instructional materials as objects or devices that assist the teacher to present a lesson to the learners in a logical and manner. In his own perspective, Fadeiye (2005) saw instructional materials as visual and audio-visual aids, concrete or non-concrete, used by teachers to improve the quality of teaching and learning activities in Social Studies. Agina-Obu (2005) submitted that instructional materials of all kinds appeal to the sense organs during teaching and learning. Isola (2010) also described instructional materials as objects or devices that assist the teachers to present their lessons logically and sequentially to the learners. Oluwagbohunmi and Abdu-Raheem (2014) acknowledged that instructional materials are such used by teachers to aid explanations and make learning of subject matter understandable to students during teaching learning process. In the same vein, Obanya (2004) asserted that several studies carried out in some areas in Nigeria indicated that the results of Senior School Certificate Examinations was completely bad in nearly all subjects offered by the students. He stressed further that only about 10% of candidates ‘meaningfully passed’ the examination. Abdu-Raheem (2011) asserted that non availability and inadequacy of instructional materials are major causes of ineffectiveness of the school system and poor performance of students in schools. Ahmed (2003) confirmed that in most secondary schools in Nigeria, teaching and learning take place under a most un-conducive environment without access to essential materials. Eniayewu (2005) posited that it is very important to use instructional aids for instructional delivery to make students acquire more knowledge and to promote academic standard. In addition, Ajayi and Ayodele (2001) stressed the importance of availability of instructional materials to achieving effectiveness in educational delivery and supervision in the school system. Ogbondah (2008) alerted on the gross inadequacy and under utilization of instructional materials necessary to compensate for the inadequacies of sense organs and to reinforce the capacity of dominant organs.He noted that school teachers should try their possible best in the provision of locally made materials in substitution for the standard ones to promote their lessons.Enaigbe (2009) noted that basic materials such as textbooks, chalkboard and essential equipment like computer, projector, television and video are not readily available in many schools.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

One of the major problems facing education sector in Nigeria is the low level of the performance of secondary school students in both local and standardized examinations. It has become a great concern for researchers, educators and all education stake-holders over the years. It was observed that students usually fail in examinations owing to improper teaching methods and lack of essential teaching aids for instructional delivery. (Afolabi, 2009). This study therefore deemed it necessary to look specifically into the contributions of instructional materials to academic achievement of secondary school students in Social Studies. It is to this regard that the study is based on the effect of the use of instructional materials in teaching and learning social studies in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study seeks to determine the effect of the use of instructional materials in teaching and learning social studies in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state

The objectives of the study include:

1. To examine the influence of the use of instructional materials in the teaching of Social studies in senior secondary schools in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state ;
2. To ascertain the extent to which senior secondary school students’ learning of Social studies in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state can be influenced by the use of instructional materials; and
3. To determine whether there will be any difference in the performance of senior secondary school students in Social studies due to the use of instructional materials in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1. What is the influence of the use of instructional materials in the teaching of Social studies in senior secondary schools in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state?
2. To what extent does senior secondary school students’ learning of Social studies in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state can be influenced by the use of instructional materials?
3. Will there be any difference in the performance of senior secondary school students in Social studies due to the use of instructional materials in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: the use of instructional materials does not influence the teaching of Social studies in senior secondary schools in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state

H1: the use of instructional materials influences the teaching of Social studies in senior secondary schools in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of the study will shed more light on an understanding of how the use of instructional materials can influence the teaching of Social studies.

To the management of senior secondary schools and policy makers, the findings of the study will be useful in providing information on the need for instructional materials.

For the students in senior secondary schools in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state, this study will unravel best ways to improve performance using instructional materials

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers on assessment of the effectiveness of instructional materials in teaching of social studies at senior secondary school level with focus on private and public senior secondary schools in Makurdi L.G.A, Benue state

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Instructional materials, also known as teaching/learning materials, are any collection of materials including animate and inanimate objects and human and non-human resources that a teacher may use in teaching and learning situations to help achieve desired learning objectives

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: Academic achievement or academic performance is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has attained their short or long-term educational goals. Completion of educational benchmarks such as secondary school diplomas and bachelor's degrees represent academic achievement