CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

One important dimension in teacher education that is getting a lot of attention is related to the use of instructional materials. Instructional materials are those materials used by a teacher to simplify their teaching. They include both visual and audio-visual aids and could either be concrete or non-concrete. These instructional materials bring life to learning by stimulating students to learn. The use of instructional materials in the classroom has the potential to help the teacher explain new concepts clearly, resulting in better student understanding of the concepts being taught. However, they are not ends in themselves but they are means to an end (Kadzera, 2006). It is held that good teaching resources can never replace the teacher but the teacher uses them to achieve their teaching and learning objectives. Some of the instructional materials necessary for effective teaching and learning  in private secondary school include the chalkboard, models, graphs, charts, maps, pictures, diagrams, cartoons, slides, filmstrips, radio, and television (Kochhar, 1991). The importance of the use of these materials cannot be underscored. This has been emphasized by a number of scholars. Lockheed (1991) says that instructional materials are critical ingredients in learning and that the curriculum could not be easily implemented without them.

        Instructional materials serve as a channel between the teacher and the students in delivering instructions. They may also serve as the motivation on the teaching-learning process. It is use to get the attention of the students and eliminate boredom. Instructional materials are highly important for teaching; especially for inexperienced teachers. Teachers rely on instructional materials in every aspect of teaching. They need material for background information on the subject they are teaching. Young teachers usually have not built upon their expertise whenever they enter into the field. Teachers often use instructional materials for lesson planning. These materials are also needed by the teachers to assess the knowledge of their students. Teachers often assess students by assigning tasks, creating projects, and administering exams. Instructional materials are essential for all of these activities. Writing on the role of instructional materials in teaching and learning, Balogun (1982) commented that science education programmes cannot be taught effectively without the existence of equipment for teaching. This is because instructional materials help those who learn to develop problem-solving skills and scientific attitudes. Elaborating further on the same point, Ajayi and Ogunyemi (1990) emphasize that when instructional materials are provided to meet relative needs of teaching process, students will have access to the reference materials mentioned by the teacher, and also each student will be able to learn at his or her own pace. The overall result is that students will perform much better. It is to this regard that the study is based on the role of instructional materials in academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Most studies that look into the state of instructional resources in schools, rarely do scholars attach poor performance with lack of, or inadequacy of these materials. As the studies above indicate instructional materials are important in teaching and learning and are inadequate in many schools (Kerr, 2003). Although studies in Nigeria (see for example those of Sumra and Rajani, 2006; Hakielimu, 2007; Makombe et al, 2010) have lamented on poor performance, they did not link this situation with inadequate quality instructional resources. These studies are clear that there is a strong link between adequate and quality instructional materials and quality teaching and learning process (Blair, 1998) but have not shown this link with students’ academic performance. Other studies conducted by researchers such as Earthman and Lemasters (1996) have shown that learners who are provided with safe, modern and environmentally controlled situation learn much better and their academic performance are high; hence a need for the study.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study seeks to determine the role of instructional materials in academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state. The objectives of the study are:

1. To determine the relationship between instructional materials and academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state
2. To examine the extent to which instructional materials influence the academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state
3. To identify the factors affecting the role of instructional materials in academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state
4. To recommend ways to improve students’ academic performance using instructional materials

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1. What is the relationship between instructional materials and academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state?
2. To what extent have instructional materials influence the academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state?
3. What are the factors affecting the role of instructional materials in academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state?
4. What are the ways to improve students’ academic performance using instructional materials?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant relationship between instructional materials and academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state

H1: there is significant relationship between instructional materials and academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings of the study will shed more light on an understanding of the role of instructional materials in academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state.

To the management of private secondary schools and policy makers, the findings of the study will show the relationship between instructional materials and academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state.

For the students in private secondary schools, this study will unravel best ways to improve performance using instructional materials.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers on the role of instructional materials in academic performance of students in private secondary schools in Gboko L.G.A of Benue state

1.8 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