Abstract

This study sought to find out how print materials such as textbook and workbook influence the Academic performance of history students. This study was descriptive in nature. The study sample consisted of 100 students, selected through the stratify sampling technique. Data for this study was collected with the use of questionnaire while counting techniques namely frequency and proportions was use to analyses the data. The findings revealed that the use of print material, in terms of textbook and workbook, have a positive and significant relationship with History students’ academic performance. From the finding it is recommended that parents should buy textbooks and workbooks for their children, teachers should guide students on the selection and usage of print materials and educational authorities should create awareness on the importance of print materials in the teaching and learning process.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

The Study focuses on the effects of print material on students’ academic performance in history in secondary school in Buea municipality. This chapter is divided into the following sub-headings; back ground of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, research questions, significant of the study, scope of the study and definition of key terms.

1.1 Background of the Study

In spite of the increasing number and variety of audio-visual materials being used today for teaching and learning, print materials are still largely the most indispensable teaching resource available in many school systems. The use of print materials has been observed as a powerful strategy to bring about effective teaching and learning. The important quality and adequacy of print material in teaching and learning can be determined through effective utilization during classroom teaching. The government of Cameroon and other educational stakeholders has taken measures that have increasingly led to the availability and use of print materials in classroom.

The government, together with other stakeholders have established libraries across the national territory. Resource centers are equally put in place where the various prints materials such as; text books, work books and newspapers are made available to students and teachers. These libraries and resource centers are equipped with instructional materials which are prescribed in the national syllabus of education which help to improve the academic achievement of student and teachers. Also, another measure taken by the government and other educational stakeholders to make print materials available to teachers and student in the organization of annual pedagogic seminar and conference were various print materials such as; text book and work books are being advertised and make available to teachers and various method are being adopted to effectively and efficiently use this prints materials in the classroom.

The government and education stakeholders, has provided print materials such as text books and other instructional materials as donation of rewords academic excellent. And also, teachers are being given research allowance to help them to carry out research for lesson preparation and the provision of instructional materials such as print material for teaching and learning.

 

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Print materials such as text books and work books, help to facilitate teaching process. Both these learning aid are rarely used by teachers in 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 endeavors. The above problem has kept the researcher worried thus necessitating a study on the effects of prints materials on students’ academic performance in history in secondary schools in Buea municipality

 

1.3 General Objective

The general objective of this study is to out how;

Prints materials influence the academic performance of history student in Secondary Schools in Buea municipality.

Specific objectives of this study are to find out how the use of;

1. Text books will influence student academic performance in history in secondary school in Buea municipality.
2. Work books will affect student’s academic performance in history in secondary schools in the Buea municipality.

 

1.4 Research Question

1.4.1 General Research Question

How wills the use of print materials affects students’ academic performance in history in the secondary schools in the Buea municipality.

1.4.2 Specific Research Question

1. To what extent will the use of textbook influence students’ academic performance in history in secondary schools in the Buea municipality?
2. How will the use of work books affect student academic performance in history in secondary school in Buea municipality?

 

1.5 Significance of the Study

This Study, it is hoped would be beneficial to students, parents, teacher and curriculum developers in the society.

It is hoped that this study will make students to be aware of the various print materials in the learning of history.

This study it is hoped will be significant in that, the parents are going to noticed through this study of the effects of print materials on students’ academic performance in history. So that when the student is asked to bring a print material for learning the parent can easily provide.

This study will be significant in that, the teachers are going to know how to teach and use print materials appropriately in a diverse classroom.

It is hoped that this study will be useful in the sense that when planning the curriculum. The print materials should also be planned.

 

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study is limited geographically to secondary schools in the Buea municipality. Content wise this study is limited to find out how the use of text books and work books effect students to be used in collecting data will be observation.

 

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

Print material According to Tambo (2003) These are instructional materials which facilities teaching and aid understanding of learners such as text books, work books and newspaper.

History; According of learner’s dictionary history is the study of the past present and future events that influence a situation.

Academic Performance; Academic performance is defined by crow and crow (1964) as the extent to which a learner is profiting from instruction in a given area of learning.