Full Project – THE EFFECT OF LEARNING AIDS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOCIAL STUDIES

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ABSTRACT

The study examined the effect of learning aids on the performance of junior high school students in social studies . Social Studies is a core subject offered in the junior secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the education system. And its aims cannot be achieved without the use of learning aids, owing to the challenge of using learning aids, which need to be tackled for the achievement of the aims. Therefore, this research work is designed to assess the problems of using learning aids in the teaching of Social studies in junior secondary schools, in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State. Findings obtained from the analysis of the data collected; show that the problems of using learning aids are the shortage of materials, laziness amongst the teachers, lack of fund for the purchase of learning aids, and time. It was also observed that the performance of the student has a lot to do with the use of learning aids during classes. Recommendations were based on the findings. And if this is well implemented, it will go a long way in solving the said problems of using learning aids in the teaching of social studies for the growth and achievement of the objectives of the subject and the development of the country at large.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study

The utilization of instructional resources including education radio, charts, chalkboards, maps, film strips, and realia materials is essential for teaching at all levels. According to Adekunle (2008), the term “teaching resources” refers to “everything that might help the instructor in boosting teaching and learning” in the field of social studies. Students may learn more quickly when they are given opportunities to use more than one of their senses. Using learning aids gives instructors a leg up on the competition by providing more engaging and interactive ways to get their message over to their students. In addition, the instructor is offered help with any health issues that could get in the way of his teaching an interesting lesson. According to a statement attributed to Lane and cited by Larson (2001), classrooms have shifted focus from the instructor to the students as a consequence of the use of technology to simulate a face-to-face setting. The onus of education in this scenario is placed squarely on the shoulders of the pupils. The role of the instructor is one of coach, resource guide, and learning partner. Teachers and students are more likely to work together when using a curriculum, and students are more likely to engage in cooperative learning as a consequence.

Ikerionwu (2000) referred to learning aids as objects or devices which help the teacher to make learning meaningful to the learners. Similarly, Ezegbe (1994) classified them into two as visual materials, made up of reading and non-reading materials and audio-visual materials comprising electrically operated and non-electrically operated materials. Social studies is a subject that depends in the use of a number of resources. Osakwe and Itedjere (1993) summarized these resources as textual like books, audio-visual and human resources. They stated that these resources are either used individually or collectively in any meaningful social studies teaching and learning situation.

The purpose of learning aids is to promote efficiency of education by improving the quality of teaching and learning. Incorporating these tools and materials present support and reinforces teaching. According to Aduwa-Ogiegbaen and Imogie (2005) these materials and resources including audio tape recorders, video tape recorders, slide projectors, opaque projectors, over head projectors, still pictures, programmed instruction, film strips, maps, charts, graphs, offer a variety of learning experiences individually or in combination to meet different teaching and learning experiences.

Parker (2000) noted that the Social studies teacher has a responsibility to include controversial issues and current events in curriculum. Parker believes that students need to study issues on which there are some disagreement so as to practice analyzing problems; gathering and organizing facts; discriminating between facts and opinions; discussing differing viewpoints and drawing tentative conclusions. DuBey (2009) said that exposing students to controversial issues in their studies enables them to develop the capacity for ethical and moral reasoning so that they become critically reflective thinkers. The social studies classroom should therefore focus on using learning aids which will help more students into developing a democratic character.

Statement of the Problem

The major goal of using learning aids in the teaching of Social Studies in junior secondary schools is to educate students to be able to confront problematic situations in the subject with confidence. In other words, Social studies is supposed to teach students to become functional problem – solving students.

In order to make Social Studies teaching and learning meaningful and interesting, teachers need to employ a variety of learning aids and teaching methods which Adeyemi (2000) states that they are indispensable for the study of Social Studies. He believes that the most appropriate learning takes place when the learner is in control and dominating session in the teaching –learning process.

The variety of learning aids and methods used in the teaching of social studies are not fully utilized and appropriately used, and these makes the teaching of Social Studies difficult and hard for the students to understand. When the available learning aids are not properly utilized and well managed, they pose a lot of problem to the teaching of Social Studies. “The problems of using learning aids, such as the lack of fund, inadequate time for the use of learning aids, lack of knowledge on the side of the teacher on how to operate the available learning aids, should be tackled to the core, in order to inculcate in the students, the expected knowledge, about Social studies”. (Odo, 2001:188).

In view of the above, it is important to study the effect of learning aids on the performance of junior high school students in social studies .

Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to find out the effect of learning aids on the performance of junior high school students in social studies . Specifically, the study is designed to:-

Find out the different learning aids in use, in the teaching of Social Studies in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
To ascertain the most widely utilized learning aids by classroom teachers in the teaching of Social studies junior secondary schools?
To find out the different problems of using learning aids in the teaching of Social studies in junior secondary schools?
To examine the remedies to the effect of learning aids on the performance of junior high school students in social studies .

Significance of the Study

The result of this research project will reveal to the teachers, students, and the government about the problems of using learning aids. It will as well be of great significance owing to its quality and contribution.

The result of this research will also guide Social studies teachers to effectively and efficiently use learning aids and to know the causes of the problems of using these materials.

When these problems are tackled, it will help to stimulate the students’ mind and make them spirited, hence showing positive interest towards teaching and learning, if the materials are efficiently used.

Similarly, the result shall contribute as a source of material to researchers, educational administrators, and stakeholders and curriculum planners to update their knowledge of the causes and problems of using learning aids.

Scope of the Study

The study examines the effect of learning aids on the performance of junior high school students in social studies . There are many junior secondary schools in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The scope of the study is limited to seven (7) secondary schools in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos state which were randomly selected. The scope of the study is on the effect of learning aids on the performance of junior high school students in social studies . The schools of study had to be selected for a proper and a good research work.

Research Questions

The following research questions were formulated to guide the study:

What are the learning aids used in teaching Social Studies in junior secondary schools in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State?
What are the most widely utilized learning aids by classroom teachers in the teaching of Social studies in junior secondary schools?
What are the different problems of using learning aids in the teaching of Social studies in junior secondary schools?
What are the remedies of the effect of learning aids on the performance of junior high school students in social studies ?

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The relevant terms below were operationally defined relative to their usage in this study:-

Effect: This is the change (outcome) that is brought to the pupils by their teachers as a result of teaching and learning.
Learning Aids: A learning aid is something intended to enhance learning and retention by the learner.
Academic performance: This is regarded as the display of knowledge attained or skills, shown in the school subject such achievements are indicated by test scores or by marks assigned by teachers. It is the school evaluation of students’ classroom work as quantified on the basis of marks or grades.
Instructional Material: These are the materials the teacher uses to make the lesson more interesting and understandable.
Resources: This is regarded as material or instruments that serve as source of help to the teacher to enable the students to understand the subject matter.
Teaching: The systematic presentation of facts, ideas, skills, and techniques to students. It is the process of effecting knowledge or skills to pupil as a result of instruction or examples.
Learning: This is regarded as the process of acquiring knowledge or developing the ability to perform new behaviours. It is a relatively permanent change in behaviour as a result of past experience, environment, or the acquisition of new knowledge

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