Abstract

The general objective of this study was to find out whether graphic materials affect students’ academic performance in history in secondary schools in the Buea Municipality. Specifically, this research was guided by the following objectives:  to examine whether or not maps influence students’ academic performance in history, to investigate how charts influence students’ academic performance history, to find out whether pictures influence students’ academic performance in history,  to know whether the use of photograph affect students’ academic performance in history,  and to investigate whether or not the use of real objects influence students’ academic performance in history.

The researcher formulated three research questions which were analyzed to get results. The case study research design was used for the study. The interview guide was used to select a sample of four respondent (teachers) drawn from two schools in the Buea division. The findings of the study revealed the following results:

Charts influence the students’ academic performance in history in the Buea Municipality, pictures increases students’ academic performance in history in the Buea Municipality, maps increases students’ academic performance in history in the Buea Municipality.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The study focus on the influence of graphic in teaching of history in secondary schools in the Buea municipality. This chapter is divided into the following sub – headings; Background of the study, Statement of the problem, Purpose of the study, Objective of the study, Research questions, Scope of the study and operational definition of terms

1.1.1 Background of the study

Under the background of the study, there exist two aspects; the historical and contextual background.

1.1.2 Historical background

The utilisation of graphic materials such as charts and pictures in the instructional process have witness a great improvement over the years in secondary schools in Buea municipality and Cameroon as a whole.

During the ancient periods, those graphic materials were used locally to teach students on World location by drawing on the ground and images of great personalities were taught by painting on the walls. But as time went on, there has been a gradual improvement of the start of these graphic materials to teach in Cameroon schools. Diagrams which were drawn using dust could not last long and these diagrams were not mobile.

Again, these images drawn on walls were not that visible or clear since it was drawn by the local tools, However, this has over the years been improved in that, in Cameroon schools, charts are well presented since they are carved and made flexible and visible and found in most classrooms foster the learning of some historical concepts.

On the issue of pictures, it has been improved as progress has been made in that with the coming of technology, pictures of great personalities and structures in history can be printed and made available in Cameroon schools.

That is pictures of the great personalities are made available in most classrooms to make a clear picture and realities in the minds of the learners. The gradual process made on the use of charts and pictures have enhance learning of concepts history that needs diagrams and images in secondary schools in Cameroon.

1.2.0 Statement of the problem

Graphic materials such as charts and pictures helps to facilitate the process of learning. But these teaching aids are rarely used by teachers in the teaching and learning process which makes students not to effectively understand concepts in history that would have been understood if such materials were used. As a result, students are affected negatively in their school endeavours. The above problem has kept the researcher worried, thus necessitating the study.

1.3.0 General objectives of the study.

The general objectives of the study are to find out how graphic materials influence the Academic Performance of History students in secondary schools in Buea municipality.

1.3.1 Specific objectives

The specific objectives of the study are to find out how the use of:

1. Maps will influence Students Academic Performance in history in secondary schools in Buea municipality.
2. Charts will influence Students Academic Performance in history in secondary schools in Buea municipality.
3. Pictures will affect students’ Academic Performance in history in secondary schools in Buea municipality
4. Photographs will determine students’ Academic Performance in history in secondary schools in Buea municipality.
5. Real Object will affect students’ Academic Performance in history in secondary schools in Buea municipality.

1.4.0 Research Question

1.4.1 General research questions

How will the use of graphic materials affect students’ Academic performance in history in secondary schools in Buea Municipality?

1.4.1 Specific research question

1. To what extent will the use of maps influence Students’ Academic performance in history in secondary schools in Buea Municipality?
2. How will the use of charts affect Students’ Academic performance in history in secondary schools in Buea Municipality?
3. What is the degree to which the use of pictures, will influence Students’ Academic performance in history in secondary schools in Buea Municipality?
4. How will the use of photographs influence Students’ Academic performance in history in secondary schools in Buea Municipality?
5. To what extent will the use of real objects affect Students’ Academic performance in history in secondary schools in Buea Municipality?