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

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.

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.