EFFECT OF AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS UTILIZATION ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN BIOLOGY IN IKOT ABASI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Science is the bedrock of technological development of a nation. To this end the federal Government of Nigeria has continuously placed emphasis on the study of science and technology. Inspite of the importance of science in national development, students performance in science subjects is not encouraging and has been observed by (Ibe, 2016).
The poor performance of students has been attributed to poor teaching methods in the form of excessive talking’s copying of notes and notes learning of textbook materials adopted by teachers and the students. The challenges of not having well equipped laboratory for practical experiences have also contributed to poor performance in science (Ibe, 2006).
The students are exposed to expository rather than inquiring methods of science instruction which does not predispose students to experimentation (Anulobi, 2019). However, the National Policy of Education (NPE 2014) stated that the aim of education is to inculcate in the child, the spirit of inquiry and creativity through the exploration of nature.
Education should equip students with skills to live functionally in our modern age of science and technology. In line with the above objective, the aim of science think critically in order to make reasonable decision in issues that concern them and the society at large. Research findings in Education tend to indicate that the instructional aids adopted by the teachers influence the cognitive, psychomotor and affective outcomes of the students.
Instructional aids perform specific functions in learning, such functions range from simplifying teaching to making teaching effective. One of such instructional aids is instructional television. This is the production of television programme directed towards helping students of a specific target population achieve specific instructional objectives. This could be through transmission of educational objectives in the television which can be stored in video, Compact Disc (CD) and Digital Video Disc (DVD) and used to teach students repeatedly till they gain mastery of what is being taught. They could be employed in topics where teachers find it difficult or impossible to carryout practical’s due to unavailability of laboratory equipment.
The main basic tasks of teaching are to release, investigate and increase motivational process and like interest, need and desire to learn.
Audio-visual aids are instructional materials which have both sound and visual components at the same time (Prade, 2015). The use of audio-visual aids is preferred as they are considered as 80% of the whole teaching and learning (Jadal, 2011). They keep the individual learner focus on what is being taught by the teacher in the classroom session.
Audio-visual Aids makes a lesson more interesting and memorable experience not only for the learners but the teacher as well. They play a vibrant role in focusing the attention of individual student towards the teacher or the topic. Human beings have five sense which are doorways for effective learning especially seeing, hearing and touching which bring maximum knowledge for the individual.
Research has shown that people remember 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read and 80% of what they see and also do. (Lester, 2012). Besides, audio-visual aids are most effective tools for developing flawless communication and interaction between students and teachers. These aids do not only help to save the time of teacher, but also help in developing and arousing curiosity, creativity and motivation of the students. They emphasize on the comprehension of knowledge and concept as well as developing sound foundations for higher and further studies, especially in Biology.
Therefore, the aim of this research work is to assess the influence of audio-visual aids utilization on academic performance of students in Biology in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
Effect of Audio-visual Aids Utilization on Academic Performance of Students in Biology
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Biology remains one of the core science subject offered in Senior Secondary Schools by science and non-science students alike. However, performances of students in this subject both in internal and external examinations have not been very impressive. Many workers and stakeholders have related this poor performance on a number of factors including the use of poor teaching methods by teachers.
It is on this premise that the study is being carried out to determine the influence of audio-visual Aids utilization on Academic Performance of Biology Students. The statement of the problem is will the use of Audio-visual Aids enhance students Academic Performance in Biology?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of the study is to determine the effect of Audio-visual Aids Utilization on Academic Performance of Students in Biology in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
Specifically, the study seeks to:
- Determine the difference in the academic achievement of students taught Biology using Audio-visual Aids and those taught without Audio-visual Aids.
- Determine the difference in the academic Achievement of male and female students taught Biology using Audio-visual Aids.
Effect of Audio-visual Aids Utilization on Academic Performance of Students in Biology
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were raised to guide the study;
- To what extent does audio-visual aids utilization affect the academic achievement of Biology students in secondary schools?
- To what extent does the academic achievement of male and female Biology students differ when utilizing audio-visual aids?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:
- There is no significant difference in academic achievement of students taught Biology using audio-visual aids and those taught without it.
- Gender is not a significant factor in the academic achievement of students taught Biology using audio-visual aids.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The study will be significant in the following ways;
It will enable the teachers to understand the effect of audio-visual aids utilization on students academic performance, it will serve as baseline data in the field of Biology and related discipline. It will also enable educational administrators to restrategize in their quest for qualitative education by ensuring that seminars and conference are organized to show the effect and relatedness of Audio-visual aids utilization and Academic Performance.
Effect of Audio-visual Aids Utilization on Academic Performance of Students in Biology
1.7 Limitation of the Study
This research was on selected secondary schools in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area and also senior secondary school students offering Biology. Resources available to the researcher were inadequate. These include inadequate finance and limited time for the study. The data used in this project work was limited to the information the researcher collected from books, periodicals, students and teachers.
1.8 Delimitation of the Study
The study is delimited to the effect of audio-visual aids utilization and academic performance of students in Biology in secondary schools in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
1.9 Definition of Terms
The following terms were used in the study;
- Audio-visual Aids: These are instructional aids that appeal to the hearing and seeing sense at the same time. Example include; Laptop, Computer, Television, Over-head Projector etc.
- Aids: This is an instrument that assists the teacher in the effective communication of teaching and learning in the classroom.
- Academic Performance: Is the outcome of education, the extent to which student, teacher or institution has achieved their educational goals.
- Biology: This is the scientific study of life and structure of plant and animals.
Lawson Peter – Chief Editor in Projectvilla Nigeria. A writer and academic researcher.