Effect of instructional materials on the teaching and learning of basic science in junior secondary schools in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effect of instructional materials on the teaching and learning of Basic Science in Junior Secondary Schools in Cross River State. The study examined the role of instructional materials in the science classroom and how instructional materials have affected the teaching and learning of Basic Science. The study employed quasi experimental design. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. 240 students were randomly selected by simple ballot method from four secondary schools in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State. A 20-item test called Diffusion Achievement Test [DAT] constructed by the researcher was used to collect data for the study. The test had a reliability of 0.86.Scores generated from pretest and post-test were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and independent t-test. The result showed that the use of instructional materials have a favourable effect on students’ achievement in science concepts. The result also indicated that there is a significant difference in the mean achievement scores of students with females having a higher mean score than males. Recommendations were made among others that teachers should source for instructional materials for effective lesson delivery.