CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The undeniable impact of instructional materials in enhancing students’ educational development through teaching and learning is evident. Instruction at any level necessitates exposing students to some form of simulation. As Adekunle (2020) pointed out, an instructional material in social studies is anything that can aid the teacher in facilitating teaching and learning. When students have the opportunity to learn through more than one sense, they can learn more quickly and easily. The use of instructional materials offers the teacher engaging and compelling platforms for conveying information, as they inspire learners to learn more. Moreover, the teacher is aided in overcoming physical challenges that could have obstructed his effective presentation of a given topic.
Social studies was incorporated into the Nigerian school system to fulfill one of the philosophies of Nigerian education as stated in the National Policy on Education, which is “the development of the individual into a sound and effective citizen” (FGN, 2004). Achieving this objective through Social studies is feasible since the subject is an integrated program that examines all aspects of a child’s life in society. The National Policy on Education (2004) further states that education aims to instill national consciousness and unity, as well as the right type of values and attitudes for the survival of the individual and Nigerian society. Therefore, Social Studies teaching has been instrumental in determining whether a society will possess democratic attitudes, values, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and whether the society will be composed of productive and participatory individuals (Ozturk and Otluoglu, 2002; Keeler, 2020). In Social Studies teaching, which carries such a significant mission, it is possible to make the learning process simple, lasting, and meaningful through the use of instructional materials. Orakwe (2020) defines instructional materials as repositories of information from society used to convey the desired information to learners during classroom instruction. Agwu (2021) perceives Instructional Materials as teaching apparatus that may include textbooks, workbooks, charts, audio-visual aids, chemicals, specimens, and other relevant items that will capture students’ attention, and should only be introduced at the appropriate time by the teacher.
Instructional materials, which include both software and hardware, are utilized to make lessons more engaging and comprehensible to learners. These devices appeal to multiple senses, aiding learners in conceptualizing, perceiving, internalizing, interpreting, and applying the knowledge gained to various learning situations. These materials and equipment could be audio materials/equipment that appeal to the sense of hearing, visual materials/equipment that appeal to the sense of sight, or audio-visual materials that combine the two.
The teacher alone cannot provide all the necessary conditions for effective teaching and learning; additional supporting materials are required. Students learn more effectively when instruction appeals to multiple senses. The use of instructional materials in Social Studies education has added a new dimension to the positive promotion of the teaching and learning process. It provides the much-needed sensory experiences required by learners for effective and meaningful behavioral change. Instructional materials aim to improve the quality of education for effective student learning in schools. The students’ performance on the intended learning outcome provides a validation loop on the success of the interaction and instruction (Bakare 2016).
When using any instructional materials, factors that influence their effectiveness must be considered. Such materials must be previewed, meaning the teacher should have full knowledge of the material. The environment where it will be used must be prepared, as well as the audience, ensuring that the materials used will attract attention, arouse interest, motivate learners, and provide a rationale that could be used at the beginning, middle, or end of the lesson. The effectiveness of utilizing appropriate instructional materials in teaching and learning Social Studies is not void of a quality instructor. To provide quality education to the younger generation, there is a need for the employment of more competent, experienced, and qualified Social Studies teachers.
The need to identify suitable instructional materials, through which students can comprehend the extent of the subject easily and intelligibly, is the focus of this study. An in-depth look at secondary school Social Studies programs revealed a need for improving all phases of the programs (IMAA, 2004). For example, there is a need for the introduction and use of instructional materials and equipment in both the classrooms and Social Studies Museum. The broad aim of any good training materials is to induce and support the learning process that leads to improved on-the-job performance through affecting changes in the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices of the learners.
With the above reasons, it is worth investigating the influence of instructional materials in the teaching and learning of Social Studies in our Secondary Schools, for better performance of students in their examinations and chosen careers in any field of life. If instructional materials are used in Secondary Schools, it would help improve the teaching and learning, and hence the learning of students in Social Studies effectively.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The poor performance of students in Social Studies at Public Junior Secondary Schools in Ilorin West LGA may be partially attributed to the inadequate use or lack of sufficient instructional materials for teaching the subject. Lemchi (2021) observed that some students are losing interest in the subject due to teachers’ attitudes towards teaching Social Studies without the use of instructional materials, which can negatively impact students’ performance. Research consistently indicates that the use of instructional materials by teachers is a significant factor in improving student achievement.
Many school authorities display a lackluster attitude towards the provision of necessary tools, equipment, or materials required for effective Social Studies teaching. This indifferent attitude tends to hinder the sincere efforts of some Social Studies teachers in secondary schools (Bello, 2020). Despite the emphasis placed on Social Studies as one of the integrated subjects in secondary schools, the implementation of a functional education in relation to Social Studies in secondary schools still leaves much to be desired. In light of these difficulties, Omeiza (2011) suggested that most Social Studies teachers still resort to the theoretical method of teaching the subject (i.e., explaining without an object to make learning real), which makes learning uninteresting to learners. This approach is undoubtedly contrary to the improvement of Social Studies education, which is greatly needed at this stage of our development with an emphasis on practical-oriented learning (Mammudu, 1996).
Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a study on the effect of instructional materials on the teaching and learning of Social Studies in Ilorin West LGA. If instructional materials are effectively used in Secondary Schools, it could significantly improve the teaching and learning of Social Studies, leading to better student performance in their examinations and chosen careers in any field of life.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The major objective of this study is to determine the Effects of instructional materials on the teaching and learning of social studies in junior secondary schools. in Ilorin West LGA. The specific objectives are to:
1. Identify the level of availability of instructional materials being used for teaching social studies in secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA;
2. Examine the adequacy of the instructional materials used in teaching of social studies in secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA;
3. Determine the attitude of teachers towards the use of instructional materials in teaching of social studies in secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA;
4. Examine the environmental factors influencing the use of instructional materials in teaching of social studies in secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA;
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions were answered in the course of the study.
1. What are the available instructional materials used in the teaching of social studies in Junior secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA?
2. How adequate are the instructional materials used in teaching of social studies in junior secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA?
3. What is the attitude of teachers towards the use of instructional materials in the teaching of social studies in junior secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA?
4. What are the environmental factors influencing the use of instructional materials in teaching of social studies in junior secondary schools in Ilorin West LGA?
1.5 Scope of the Study
The study is aimed at explaining the Effects of instructional materials on the teaching and learning of social studies in junior secondary schools. in Ilorin West LGA, availability of instructional materials influencing learning of social studies, teachers attitudes towards the use of instructional materials, and environmental influencing instructional materials usage.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This research work “Factors influencing the use of Instructional Material on the learning of Social Studies in Junior Secondary School, Ilorin West LGA is significant and useful in the teaching and learning of social studies. Subsequently, the findings from the study will help Social Studies teachers in choosing an appropriate instructional material(s) capable of releasing students’ tension towards the subject thus improving students’ learning in social studies. It will motivate Social Studies teachers to develop interest towards utilizing suitable teaching materials that will be a possible means towards reducing failure in the teaching and learning of social studies. Findings of this study will also help clarify among the teachers the need for continuous and regular improvisation of suitable instructional materials for teaching and learning of social studies.
Moreover, the results of this study will be of great significance to the Social Studies curriculum planners. The curriculum developers will find the work useful in reviewing the Social Studies curriculum by seriously laying emphasis on utilization of instructional materials so as to meet up with emerging needs of the society. This study will be of immense benefit to researchers in the field of Social Studies by forming a basis for further studies on the usage of instructional materials and teachers’ quality.
This study will also be of benefit to principal as they would understand more on where their Social Studies teachers’ ineffectiveness comes from in the area of instructional material usage and this would set the base for what they can do in order to help the teachers and hence improve their effectiveness toward influencing learners with the use of instructional materials.
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