EFFECTS OF IMPROVISED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL ON PERFORMANCE AND RETENTION OF PROPERTIES OF WAVES AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICS STUDENTS IN SULEJA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the effect of the use of improvised instructional materials, on performance and retention of properties of waves among senior secondary school physics students. Pretest, post- test experimental group design was used for the research study. The study comprised of senior secondary schools in Suleja Local Government area of Niger state. Samples of One hundred and twenty (120) students were selected through systematic sampling  technique.  The  instrument  used  for  collecting  data  was  adopted  from  the National Examination Council (NECO) past theory question papers from 1988-2010. Having been internally validated, the items were subjected to another validation by team of experts, for content and criterion related validity. Test Re-test method with an interval of two weeks was used to obtain data for reliability co-efficient, R=0.74 was obtained. Four (4) null hypotheses were formulated, three were not rejected and one was rejected. The 12.0 Version of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data obtained. The findings of the research work revealed that, the use of improvised instructional materials influences student’s active interest and involvement in the learning process and enhances learning and retention abilities. It was also discovered that improvisation  is  gender  friendly.  It  was  recommended  that  the  government  should organize seminars, workshops symposium and training on the use of improvised instrumental materials to enhance learning achievement and retention among students.

CHAPTER ON

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The Federal Government of Nigeria is actively involved in providing quality education to the citizens of the country. This of course, is in realization that no country can develop in any dimension unless quality education is provided to her citizens. The Federal Government  of  Nigeria  has  adopted  education  as  an  instrument  per  excellence  for effecting national development. As such, the Federal Government assumed the responsibility for improving the standard, at all levels of education by encouraging the use of quality educational techniques. These quality and modern educational techniques have therefore been incorporated in all types of education, formal, informal and non-formal education.

Science is the foundation upon which the bulk of the present day technological breakthrough is built. Nowadays, nations all over the world including Nigeria are striving hard to develop technologically and scientifically, since the world is turning scientific and all proper functioning of lives depend greatly on science. According to philosophers of science; Science can be defined as a body of knowledge which encompasses mathematics and formal logic. Owolabi (2004) defined science as an integral part of human society. Its impact is felt in every sphere of human life so much that it is intricately linked with nation’s development. Science as a field of study has done a lot for mankind. For instance, life has been made a lot easier for man as a result of the advancements in science. Through science man has been able to better understand his environment and this enabled him to manipulate the conditions of his environment to suit his own benefit, science has also made it possible for man to acquire his desired need easily. It has reduced human needs to the barest minimum. Ogunleye (2000) observed that science is a dynamic human activity centered with understanding the workings of our world. This understanding helps man to know more about the universe. Without, the applications of science, it would have been impossible for man to explore the other planets of the universe. Also, the awareness of the existence, of other planets would not have been realized without science.

Science comprises the basic disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. Many investigations have shown that students in secondary schools are not very much interested in sciences (Esiobu 2005: Okonkwo 2000). Besides, Physics as one of the science subjects has remained one of the most difficult subjects in the school curriculum. A study by Owolabi (2004) revealed that the performance of Nigerian students in Ordinary level Physics was generally poor. This was attributed by the author to the many factors linked to teaching strategy which was considered as an important factor. Over the years it was discovered that there are factors responsible for student’s general poor performance in science, technology and mathematics. These are:

        poor laboratory facilities,

        Inability of the Physics teachers to put across ideas clearly to students.

    Inadequate  number  of  learning  facilities  in  schools  as  against  consistent increase in the number of students.

Physics as a science subject is activity oriented and the suggested method for teaching it which is guided discovery method is resource base. This suggests that, the mastery of Physics  concept  cannot  be  fully  achieved  without  the  use  of  instructionally learning materials. The teaching of Physics without learning materials will certainly result to poor performance in the course. Franzer (1992) stressed that, a professionally qualified science teacher no matter how well trained  would be unable to put his ideas into practice if the school setting lacks the equipment and materials necessary for him or her to translate his /her competence into reality.

Bassey (2002)  opined that  science is  resource  intensive.  Furthermore,  in  a period  of economic recessions, it will be very difficult to adequately find some of the electronic gadgets and equipments for Physics in schools. A situation that is further compounded by the galloping inflation in the country and often un-relatedness of some of the imported sophisticated materials and equipments; hence, the need to produce materials locally.

Researchers, such as Ogunleye (2000), Okonkwo (2000) Mkpanang (2005) and Obioha (2006) reported that, there were inadequate resources for the teaching of science subjects in secondary schools in Nigeria. They further stated that, where there were still resources at all, they are not usually in good conditions, while the few that were in good conditions were not enough to go round those who needed them. Hence, there is need for improvisation.

Omosewa (2008) and Akinsola (2000), considered the human factors as the teacher’s professional  commitment,  creativity,  mechanical  skills,  initiative  and  resourcefulness. They found that many of Nigerian Science teachers were aware of possibility of improvisation, but many exhibited poor attitudes towards improvisation. They also noted that, very few teacher practice improvisation while majority depends on imported equipments and claim that, improvisation is time consuming and fund depleting. The authors also noted that students possessed little or no interest in improvisation.

Onasanya (2008), Adebimpe (1997) and Aguisiobo (1998), noted that improvisation demands adventure creativity, curiosity and perseverance on the part of the teacher. The author  added  that  such  skills  are  only  realizable  through  well  planned  training programmed on improvisation. Akinyemi and Orukota (1995) noted that improvisation whether they cost less than standard manufactured ones or not, they cost money. He added, this money is usually not readily available to teacher. The objective of any educational process determines the contents, methods and materials needed for achieving such objectives. The materials used for enhancing instructional effectiveness are aspect of media employed for achieving the instructional objectives. Bassey (2002) describes instructional material, as a system component that may be used as parts of instructional processes which are used to disseminate information, message and ideas on which make possible communication in the teaching – learning process.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The study sought to investigate the Effect of Improvised Instructional Materials on Performance and Retention of properties of waves among senior secondary physics students in Suleja metropolis Niger state.

The poor performance of students in physics at the final Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) that is West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) as shown in the table below:

From the table above it is discovered that, the student performance in physics dropped seriously from 2007-2009, and the over all performance is not encouraging, if not 2007 that had a performance percentage above 50, all other years reviewed showed a performance percentage bellowed 50. This is very poor for a nation like Nigeria that is tending towards self dependent in technological development.

In recent times, it is disturbing and calls for urgent attention. In an attempt to find the cause and proffer a solution to the poor performance of student in this examination, the researcher embarked on the effect of the use of improvised instructional materials in teaching properties of waves in physics using Suleja metropolis as a case study.

More so, research has shown that there are no improvised instructional materials on the area under study. In schools where such materials are available, they are only in chart forms of diagrams, no concrete models. The researcher seeks to use concrete improvised instructional materials to bridge the gap between charts and diagrams.

The study further investigates influence on the instructional materials on genders.

1.3 General aim of the Study

The general aim of the study is:

To  improvised  concrete  instructional  materials  on  the  properties  of  waves  and  to determine the effect of improvised materials on student’s performance and retention in Suleja metropolis.

1.4 Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to find out the effect of improvised instructional materials on learning  performance  and  retention  of  properties  of  waves  among  senior  secondary physics students. They include the following:

1. To find the effect of the use of improvised instructional materials on the learning performance in the experimental and control group.

2. To find the mean difference between the male and female students in the experimental and control group.

3. To investigate the influence of improvised instructional material on retention in the experimental and control group.

4. To investigate the influence of improvised instructional materials on retention among male and female students in the experimental group.

1.5 Research   Questions

The following research questions were formulated:

1. What will be the mean difference between the experimental and the control group in the post test after treatment?

2. What will be the mean difference between the male and female students in the post test of the experimental group after treatment?

3. What will be the mean difference between the experimental and the control group be in delayed post test?

4. What will be the mean difference between the male and female students in the delayed post test in the experimental group?

1.6 Research Hypotheses.

Based  on  the  statement  of  the  problem  the  researcher  came  up  with  the  following hypotheses.

HO1: There is no significant difference between the mean performance scores of students taught physics with improvised instructional materials and those taught without them.

HO2: There is no significant difference between the mean performance scores of male and female students in the experimental group taught physics with improvised instructional materials.

HO3: There is no significant difference between the mean retention score of students taught physics with improvised instructional materials and those taught without them.

HO4: There is no significant difference between the mean retention scores of male and female students in the experimental group taught physics with improvised instructional materials.

1.7 The Significance of the Study.

This thesis titled Effect of Improvised Instructional Material on Performance and Retention of Properties of Waves Among Senior Secondary School Physics Students In  Suleja  Metropolis  is  of great  significance to  the following groups  of persons  or organization.

To the teacher

The result of the study will help to improve the teaching and learning of Physics in our secondary schools.

Teachers will benefit from this study in that it will encourage them to be self reliance and skill minded in their profession.

It will further help teachers to know how the use of improvised material can affect gender.

To the student:

Student  will  find  Physics  more  interesting  and  it  will  expose  the  use  of  improvised instructional materials in our schools.

The study will also help to discover the effect and the use of improvised instructional materials on our students.

To the Government.

The  study  will  encourage  the  government  to  concentrate  on  the  use  of  improvised instructional materials.

The  result  of  the  study  can  also  be  used  by the  government  to  channel  appropriate resources towards the production of improvised instructional materials

The result of the study can also be used by government to carry out seminar of training teachers on the place of improvisation in the school sector.

To the Parents.

Parents  with  strong  intention  to  promote  learning  in  their  wards  will  find  the  study relevant, as they can use the improvised instructional materials at home for teaching their wards.

Parents can also take advantage of the affordability and availability of the improvised instructional materials to elevate the academic performance of their wards at home.

Educational Administrators.

The educational administrators, such as principal, proprietor, headmasters, supervisors, e.t.c. will find the study rewarding if inculcated in the school system.

The information and result gotten from the study if accessed and harnessed will help administration to upgrade the academic performance of their wards.

Curriculum planners will find the result of the research of immense benefit, in that; it will help determine the impact of the already existing curriculum.

Non- Governmental Organizations

NGOs whose aim is to promote performance in education such as UNICEF will find the study rewarding as it will promote self reliance.

The result of the study can be use by NGOs to improve on their performance in the educational sector.

With the result of the study NGOs can take advantage of it to organize training and re- training for teachers.

NGOs can also use the study as a medium of mass-producing improvised instructional materials.

Researchers

Researchers in the educational sector will find the result of the study rewarding as it can be used for further research work.

Researchers can also use the study to go into other vital areas of improvisation to enhance the efficiency of the teaching profession.

The study will  also  make researchers  to  investigate  on  cost  minimization  as  regards improvisation.

Conclusively, the result of the research is aimed to improving the quality of teachers and the quality of students in Physics.

1.8 Scope of the Study.

The geographical area covered by this study is the Suleja metropolis of Niger State Senior Secondary two (SSII) was used for the study hence the subject matter content falls into SSII curriculum, the areas includes, waves, types of waves, properties of waves and simple calculations using waves formula and the study lasted for six weeks.

1.9 Basic Assumptions

1. That the school used for the study was a good representation of all the schools in Suleja Niger State considering the criteria, entrance examination and performance at final year examination of senior secondary schools.

2. That adequate precaution measures were being taken by the researcher during the study to guide against bias, but to ensure valid and reliable research work.

1.10 Operational Definition of Terms.

        Instruction: Defined as the deliberate arrangement of experience to help a learner achieve a desirable change in behaviour.

        Instructional Materials:   Refers to devices or materials which present a body of information and largely self-supporting in the teaching/learning process.

        Learning: In general term for a relatively lasting change in behavior caused directly by experience.

        Improvisation: Entails the production of equipment using available local and cheaper resources and the use of such equipment for effective teaching.

        Waves:  This is a disturbance which travels through a medium and transfers energy from one point to another without any permanent displacement of the medium itself.

        Properties of Waves: Waves have four major properties they are:

1.   Reflection: this is the change in the direction of the waves when they hit an obstacle as shown below

2.   Refraction: This occurs between two media when wave direction of propagation changes as it enters a different medium. When straight waves pass from deep to shallow waters, their wavelength becomes shorter. During this process, the frequency remains the same but the wavelength varies.

3.   Diffraction: This is a phenomenon whereby waves bend round obstacles. It is also the spreading of waves after passing through tiny opening, aperture, a hole or a slit. The smaller the width of the aperture, the smaller the wavelength. The greater will be the spreading of the waves. Similarly the bigger the width of the aperture the longer the wavelength, the smaller will be the spreading of the waves.

4.   Interference: This occurs when two waves from a source cross each other’s path.

That  is  the  interaction  of  two  (coherent)  waves  which  moves  simultaneously through the same medium.

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