THE EFFECT OF VISUAL LEARNING AIDS ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background to the Study

The utilization of learning aids in instructional process reflects back to ancient periods. This period is characterized by Greeks and Latin people, especially during early 150 BC when people were taught and learned things practically. Callahan (1988) states that, “Once upon a time when the mankind was young; reading and writing had not been invented, therefore men and women taught their children by means of very simple local tools.” It was an important technique which created the quality outcomes in learning and teaching processes, since the learners observed physically and practically on the learning aids related to the particular lesson or issue.

Instruction process takes place so that to fulfil certain specific goals and objectives. This could be attained by using different teaching methods, techniques together with several visual learning aids. Different types of teaching and learning processes demand different types of visual learning aids. Some are useful in teaching skills, presenting facts, showing relationship or changing behaviour or attitudes, while others are more effective in giving back ground information summarizing a unit of work. Therefore, subject teachers select visual learning aids that would be the best aid in achievement the target goals. Only visual learning aids that would serve instruction purposes should be used. Arguel A.J.F (2009) and Mtana et al (2004) also reiterated on the essence of teaching and learning visual resources on quality education as they observed that, the quality of education was enhanced by the availability of relevant teaching visual learning aids. This is more demanding in developing, where most of the parents cannot afford to buy learning materials for their children. Visual learning aids are vital in ensuring that quality is addressed. Jonson (1980) conducted studies and observed that, 16 effective learning is facilitated by the availability of teaching resources such as visual learning aids.

Visual learning aids have exceptional qualities that should be considered by the subject teachers while preparing them for specific topic. Visual learning aids such as pictures and real objects should be attractive and portable so that to encourage learners to participate fully during the learning process. Effective visual learning aids are capable of attracting attention, simplicity and sometimes familiarity especially for visual aids (Nacino et al, 1982). This is due to the fact that, the presence of such physical qualities of visual learning aids provides knowledge acquisition and skills adaptation, hence the achievement of quality education to the students.

Talabi, (2004) stated that Audio-visual materials, demonstrate skills and attitudes during teaching-learning process. Nwanna-Nzewunwa, (2003) revealed that the application of Audio-visual materials in teaching-learning process has been formed to enhance effective instruction. Today, audio-visual materials are highly rated worldwide to be of great value in the teaching and learning process. Nwanna-Nzewunwa, (2003) added that, there are still a large number of instructors or teachers who have not yet fully comprehended and appreciated the value of audio-visual materials in realizing the objectives of education. He also said that, many of them find it difficult to handle Audio-visual materials and proceed to teach using the outdated expository method.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

As a result of advancement and development of modern technology varieties instructional materials can be used to make learning more vivid and effective. This means that students can perform better wherever they are taught with these instructional materials particularly audio-visual aids as their comprehension and demonstration and cooperation are expected to enhance tremendously in teaching-learning process. Unfortunately, most schools and schools teachers neglect the use of visual aids in teaching. Probably, due to non-availability of the materials or lack of techniques for using them which is affecting the performance of students, i.e. the performance of students taught with visual learning aids cannot be compared to those taught without visual aid, even students in developed country has more upstanding and are more knowledgeable due to the fact that there are enough teaching aid and equipment. It is against this problem that this study is aimed at finding out effect of the use of visual aids on student’s academic performance in Oyo state.

1.3     Objectives of the Study

The main objectives of this study is to find out the effect of the use of visual aids on student’s academic achievement, specifically the study intends to;

1.     Examine how effective visual learning aids used by secondary school teachers on students learning outcomes.

2.     Analyze the effect of visual learning aids on academic performance of public secondary school students

3.     To identify the barriers which made use of visual learning aids difficulty in Secondary Schools.

4.     To identify other factors affected the performance of students in examinations

1.4     Research Questions

1.     How effective are visual learning aids used by secondary school teachers students learning outcomes?

2.     Is there any effect of visual learning aids on academic performance of public secondary school students?

3.     What are the barriers which made use of visual learning aids difficulty in secondary Schools?

4.     What other factors affects the performance of students in examinations

1.5     Research Hypothesis

Ho: there is no effect of visual learning aids on academic performance of public secondary school students

Hi: there is no effect of visual learning aids on academic performance of public secondary school students

1.6     Significance of the Study

The study on the effects of using visual learning aids on student’s academic performance in public secondary schools was expected to be of significance to the following:

The study will help young academicians in the field of education by finding research gaps by conducting more researches in field of education. Also the study will help the government understand and so plan in advance in relation to the provision of visual learning aids in public secondary schools. The study will increase awareness of the magnitudes of the problem by showing suggestions on how to improve visual learning aids in public Secondary Schools.

Finally it was further expected that the concerned authorities at local, state and the federal level would address the problem seriously by providing adequate teaching and learning aids such as science apparatus to community secondary schools in order to achieve quality education

1.7     Scope of the Study

This research work is conducted in Oyo state, secondary schools in Afijo LGA will be used in this research. This research will also examine concepts and literature on visual learning aids.

1.8     Delimitation of the Study

Finance for the general research work will be a challenge during the course of study. Correspondents also might not be able to complete or willing to submit the questionnaires given to them.

However, it is believed that these constraints will be worked on by making the best use of the available materials and spending more than the necessary time in the research work. Therefore, it is strongly believed that despite these constraint, its effect on this research report will be minimal, thus, making the objective and significance of the study achievable.

1.9     Definition of Terms

Visual Learning Aids: an instructional device (such as a chart, map, or model) that appeals chiefly to vision especially: an educational motion picture or filmstrip that is used to enhance teaching and learning

Academic Performance: the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has achieved their short or long-term educational goals. Cumulative GPA and completion of educational benchmarks such as secondary school diplomas and bachelor's degrees represent academic achievement.

Instructional Material: nstructional 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.