AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTS OF IMPROVISED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SENIO

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ABSTRACT The result of improvised instructional materials on students’ performance longitude and latitude at the senior technical colleges was assessed. Two hundred students of all senior technical colleges participated in the study. The students were grouped into two:- control group and experimental group (20 students formed each group “control and experimental”) preset was administered to both groups. Alter exposing the experimental group to treatment, post-test was administered. Mean and standard deviation was computed; ranked are used to answer the research question for the study. The t-test statistics was used in testing the null hypothesis formulated. The finding of this study shows that the group taught with improvised instructional materials performed better than the group taught without any instructional materials. Recommendations were offered on ways to promoting, encouraging and arousing the interest of teachers in the improvisation of mathematics equipment and materials.

INTRODUCTION For the purpose of definition, technical colleges are a post-secondary vocational training programme whose major purpose is the production of technicians and craftsmen. It is a special grade of vocational education which can be distinguished from other educational programmes because more mathematics and science are required in the training programme Okorie (2000) Today the population of Technical colleges has continue to decrease in the country, equally there had been an enormous decrease in the students population. This is due to the unimpressive state of the nation’s economy, the government has found it very difficulty to adequately finance technical colleges and also provide the scientific equipment required by these colleges. Therefore many technical colleges in the country operate without standard mathematics and science laboratories. Obviously the situation is not likely to improve in the nearest future judging from political and economic state of the nation, due to inadequate funding of the schools and colleges in the country. Consequently, the demand for mathematics and science equipment will continue to remain by these schools and colleges and the most feasible way to adjust with this demand is to resort to the improvisation of teaching equipment and materials. In Nigeria and other foreign countries, a lot of research work on improvisation of teaching of mathematics and science subjects had been carried out as part of the effort to promote, encourage and arouse the interest of mathematics and science teachers, educators and curriculum developers in improvisation of teaching equipment and materials. Alghomlan (1990) explain why mathematics teacher should improvise with available materials in other to achieve their aims in teaching. Therefore instructional materials help the teacher to meet individual differences of learners in class by using aid that appeal to different sense (Moronfola, 1983) Aina (2013), stressed that instructional materials are to supplement verbal explanation of concepts or any description so that the learning could be real to the student, therefore the national policy on Education (2004) emphasizes the teaching and learning of science principles, it also stated that the provision and use of science will lay a sound bases for scientific and reflective thinking among pupils. Ugoata (2006); Nwagbo (2008), asserted that teaching equipments and materials are often lacking in our schools. However, some of the equipments needed for teaching mathematics in technical colleges can be improvise to arose the interest of the students. Abimbola (1999), stressed that the primary purpose of instructional materials is to make learning more effective, and also facilitate it. Provision and use of instructional materials for mathematics teaching will lay a sound basis for scientific and reflective thinking among technical students. Studies have shown that the students enjoyed or gain more when improvised materials were used for teaching physics (Aina 2013).this was also supported by Eyetsemitan (2000) and Achimigu (2006) that the use of instructional materials improve achievement in basic science. METHODOLOGY An experimental design was used for this study, in which quasi-experimental approach was used. There was an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was exposed to improvised materials. Their performances were later compared using the mean scores in pre-test and post test scores. Senior students of all the five Technical colleges in Kwara State were used for this study A total of 200 students comprising of 155 males and 45 females constitute the entire population which was considered appropriate and manageable by the researcher. These students were divided in to two groups. One group was experimental (20) and other group was for control (20) Two groups (A & B) of senior students from all the five technical colleges in the state were taught mathematics lesson on the determination of distance between two points on the earth surface along the lines of latitude. The duration was 45minites each. Each group comprised of twenty (20) students. Group A was taught with improvised instructional materials, while group B, was taught without using improvised materials. At the end of the lesson, group A and B were given a written test, their script were collected and marked, and the scores were later analyzed.

HYPOTHESIS There is no significant difference between the performances of students taught using improvised instructional materials and those taught without using instructional materials.

DATA ANALYSIS Student’s scripts were marked and the scores obtained by each of the two group of student were recorded independently. The mean score of each group was then calculated t – test was also computed to find out whether or not there was any statistical significant difference in the two mean score. RESULTS Table 1 shows the number of students that took part in the pre-test and post- test for each of the two group, i.e. experimental group and control group the table therefore shows that 200 student took part in the pre-test and the 200 students took part in protest. TABLE 1: DISTRIBUTION OF STUDENTS S/NOGroupsNumbers of students Pre- testPost- test AExperimental Group100100 BControl group100100 Total200200

Table II: – shows the mean scores of the two groups in the pre- test. The results indicate that the students had little or no prior knowledge of longitude and latitude due to their poor performance in the pre- test conducted. Table II: MEAN SCORES FOR THE PRE- TEST DescriptionExperimental groupControl group Total score75-IK No of students100100 Mean score23.824 Table III shows the test computation of students taught with improvised instructional material i.e. locally made “globe of the earth” and their counterpart without improvised material

VariablesNoMeanSDDfCalc.tCritical value tDecision Students taught with improvised material10082.59.85998.641.970Rejected Students taught without improvised material10041.56.75 HYPOTHESIS There is no significant difference between the performance of student exposed to improvised instructional material and those not exposed to it. The hypothesis was tested using t-test statistics at 0.05 alpha level of significant. Judging from table 111 above, it is indicated that die t-calculated value is 8.64, while the critical or t- table value in 1-970. Since the t-calculated value is greater than the t-table, therefore null hypothesis is hereby rejected. Hence there is significant difference in the performance of student taught using improvised instructional materials and their counterparts taught without improvised instructional materials. DISCUSSION OF FINDING Pretest mean scores for the two groups are higher than the scores of their post- test of die two groups, experimental group scores was also higher than that of control group scores. Differences in their scores indicate the effectiveness of treatment given to the experimental group. This was confirmed by the t-test statistics computation of the two groups. The treatment easily aroused their interest, aid their retention and stir-up the cognitive conflict in them, thereby engage them in active participation in the lesson presented. The control groups in order hand were just presented with facts and reasons. These act allowed students to a passive participation in the lesson thereby do courses mass failure in mathematics as a subject. CONCLUSION Mathematics teaching/learning at both junior and senior students of technical colleges required a lot of handling of teaching equipment and materials by the student’s before any meaningful learning could be achieved by the teacher. Therefore, in the absence of no unready made equipment, mathematics teachers should be encouraged and advised to always design and construct equipment and material by improvising from the available resources. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the finding of this study the researcher makes the following recommendations: 1.That a comprehensive syllabus be prepared along with appropriate suggested teaching equipment and material by curriculum planners who are in charge of mathematics to guide mathematics teachers, so that the teaching and learning of mathematic in Nigeria may be thorough enough to achieve the technological development. 2.The national commission for college of education should introduce into the present NCCE curriculum for mathematics a detail comprehensive course on improvisation of mathematics equipment and materials.

REFERENCES Abimbola, A. (1999). Principles and practice of Education Technology, Ibadan, Nigeria: International Publisher. Aina, J. K. (2013). Instructional materials and Improvisation in Physics Class: Implication for Teaching and Learning. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education Aigbomlan, D.O. (1990) Improving the attitude of primary school science teachers toward improvisation, Journal of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria, 26 (2), 53-58 Achimugu, L. (2006). Resources Materials for Teaching Primary Science. In U. Nzewi (ed). Science Teachers Association of Nigeria Annual Conference Proceedings, 339-345. Heinemann Publishers Plc. Eyetsemitan, P.E. (2002). Curriculum Design and Development: The Teaching and Learning of STM with the Primary Science Curriculum. In M.A.G. Akale (eds) 43rd Science Teachers Association of Nigeria Annual Conference Proceedings, 420-425. Heinemann Publishers Plc. Federal Ministry of Education (2004) National policy on Education. Lagos, NERDC Morohunfola, P.I (1983). A study of relationship between instructional resources and students’ academic performance. (Unpublished master’s thesis) University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

Nwagbo, C. (2008). Science, Technology and Mathematics (STM) curriculum development; Focus on problems and prospects of Biology Curriculum Delivery. N. Udofia (eds) 49th Science Teachers Association of Nigeria Annual Conference Proceedings. 13-15. Heinemann Publishers Plc. Okorie, JU (2001) Vocational industrial education, league of researchers in Nigeria (LRN) Bauchi Nigeria. Uyoata, U.E. (2006). Availability, selection and utilization of instructional resources for teaching Primary Science in Uyo Local Government Education Authority, Akwa.

Online Education Degree, Get One Today

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Surely everybody would likely believe the rationale that knowledge is very important for the attainment of a good quality life. With a good education, ones possibilities are generally infinite in life. One could not likely have a great paying occupation until you are educated effectively.

Back in the beginning, families worked and also labored hard to send their boys and girls to school. The cost one has to pay for tuition ended up being high enough that nearly every kid had to work. Quite a few stories resulted with school drop-outs. Back then, you could get a good job while not attending college. That is certainly not the case today.

Today, many similar cases continue to exist. Considering the very difficult times at hand, people would rather than go to school. But how far can this get them in life? For anybody who is in this same situation, then online education may very well be your perfect solution. If you want succeed in your career as well as in life, send yourself to school even while working.

Courses provided through online education are accommodating and easily customized to fit the individuals time. You can work hard in the daytime (as well as at night if this is what your work demands of you) and come home to rest physically while strengthening your own mental capabilities through online study.

Do you know that this education can especially benefit mothers in the home? Mothers could not possibly avoid her chores as a parent or spouse simply to get that advanced schooling. Many find that this not only opens a bigger world for them, but it also lets them maintain their daily routines.

People are finding this to be easier on their budgets as well. There are no more expenses for the transportation, additional school supplies, textbooks, or daycare fees a parent needs to be paying if she intends to go to college and leave her kids at home. Isnt this efficient? It also lowers the stress you’ve to go through during the travel to and from work and school.

Some people even find online education enjoyable. You may be comfy and relaxed while studying. You don’t dress up for school or even have trouble finding a parking spot inside the crowded parking lot. Schooling is easier online.

Gaining an online education needs to be easy and fun. If you are so stressed out from all the factors bringing about the attainment of your diploma, you will only end up hating education and miss out on reaping the benefits of getting a college education. To avoid this added stress, get your education online.

Advantages of Higher Education!

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B.Ed in Punjab – A Higher education is the best possible way to make sure a higher earning power after graduation.There are a variety of other factors as to why you should go to higher education.College lifestyle also provides one with useful relationships and sources including to the variety of alternatives available after finishing higher education.Colleges provide skills and knowledge for higher learning. Higher education provides opportunity to meet new people.College play an important role in identifying the future of every person.Higher education can build self-confidence of a person.

Advantages of higher education?

-Improved Lifestyle Skill’s Lifestyle skills are very helpful to handle personal problems in human life.Higher Level eduction provide a platform to face the problems in human daily life.

-Increase Knowledge Higher education helps in to increase the knowledge in every field.

-Decision-Making Decision-making helps to achieve the desired goal in the life.Decision making helps in to take right decision at right time to achieve the desired goal in the life.

Higher education improve the lifestyle skills of the people.It provides the opportunity to meet new friends in the socity.College education can increase the knowledge in different fields.Higher Level eduction provide a platform to face the problems in human daily life.It also help in decision making.Decision making helps in to take right decision at right time to achieve the desired goal in the life.

Alan Simpson’s the Marks Of An Educated Man – A Review

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In his essay, “The Marks of An Educated Man,” Alan Simpson writes that the training of the mind will help an individual achieve higher knowledge skills. The best results of liberal education cannot be achieved until the mind is trained to think clearly. Without proper brain-training a true liberal education cannot take place.

Since everyone’s brain does not function the same, the same amount of knowledge may not be present in two different individuals. Simpson talks of utilizing everyone’s capacity to think and examine life firmly, therefore making a true liberal education possible, which in turn allows for progress and reform in our educational system.

One of the main thoughts that Alan Simpson presents is the idea of not being afraid to make changes, especially if they will lead to progress in our traditional systems. Simpson goes on to state that a characteristic skill of an educated man is his ability to recognize phony doctrines. A certain amount of skepticism is needed to combat the fact-filled scam artists and fools that populate the earth today.

Without a proper education, we make ourselves more gullible to false teachings. The educated man has tried to develop a critical faculty for general use, and likes to think himself an excellent judge of phoniness. Having doubt allows a person to expand his or her insights on a subject. A person who seeks after a good education will usually ask questions and make sure he or she is given a good answer before being taken in by something false.

The fools, scam artists, and frauds in this wold can mislead others by presenting false messages. The majority who practice this are nothing more than blatant liars, but feel they have a sanctity about them that puts them above everyone else. These so called “authorities” are nothing more than fact finders and very often end up getting caught in their own traps.

Without a liberal education they cannot combine knowledge, skills, an standards. They are for the most part affected by the environment and the media. Lacking a liberal education makes them very open to scams and they are definitely not analyzing, praying, or thinking over situations as they should. These are the victims of prideful scam artists.

Having good liberal education skills can be a preventive device against highly educated scam artists. Shams are a reality to us even in higher education brackets. They surround us everywhere. From the professor to the scientist, both have been known to use invalid and shameful speech. Although persons at the university level can be taken in by shams, people who have little or no educational background are especially prone and will almost certainly fall prey to shams.

University students are influenced by professors and clergymen, but people in the outside of college world are largely influenced simply by what they read, view, and hear.

Simpson’s essay reveals that possessing liberal education skills enables a person to recognize false doctrines. Non-educated people will allow an individual to influence them negatively more than liberally educated persons. Educated persons help to keep the fools and scam artists in their place and away from the follies of human nature within shams.

Alan Simpson concludes his essay with a riveting and arousing statement: “We are none the better for not recognizing a clown when we see one.”

Benefits Of Effective Record Keeping For A Home-based Education

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Regardless of the legal requirements of the state in which you live, there are many benefits to keeping effective records of your homeschooling activities. Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, you can always answer anyone who asks what class schedule or coursework your child has completed. The questioner may include a collegiate institution asking because your child is a non-traditional student and has applied to their institution.

Some states do not require any documentation at all, but laws may change, and your child may one day choose to enter into further education interstate or even internationally. If you have no records of your childs education, this could be needlessly stressful. If you are providing a full and rich education for your children, it is a wise choice to ensure that record-keeping is included as part of the mix. Some guidelines:

State/Provincial Audits
While this is not true for every state or every situation, some states in their laws regarding homeschooling allow the state education agencies to audit homeschoolers. This is to ensure that homeschoolers are teaching their children and not just keeping them at home. It is best to look at your local state/province to see their specific requirements

The answer to the question Do you have a high school diploma? varies, and may be asked by potential employers. There are several ways to deal with the high school diploma situation, including the following suggestions:

1.Depending on where you live, you may be able to sign and issue one to your graduating children.

2.Private schools may issue your graduating child with a high school diploma if you provide them with the appropriate records and materials.

3.Your child can take the GED, or your countrys equivalent, and have that certification as their testament to their secondary education.

Ok, so now we know why we keep records, how exactly do we do this? My suggestions are as follows:

Document everything every day. If you dont let it pile it up it doesnt become overwhelming. This way you will also always know where you stand if there are any requirements you have to consider or prove (hours in school, etc) to your local authority, potential employer, or the provider of further education.
Compile a scrapbook and keep records of important events because, even though youre not doing it through a school, your activities are still important in the life of your child! This helps you and your child create a record they can look back on with pride.
Keep all the assignments and school stuff in notebooks at the end of year. Many parents will file everything away in books to keep a record of assignments, to be able to accurately assess their childs skills in subjects, and to know what they need to work on a year to year basis.