Teachers have neglected the use of these materials and in a way they have watered down pupil’s motivation as far as learning is concerned. All these bring to poor performance of the pupils especially in Westland zone in Nairobi County. Statement of the Problem Many students are performing poorly year after year in their examinations in Westland zone and this situation is growing worse. This in turn opens their door to poor life thereafter. This poor performance may be brought by non-innovative teachers who may not want to use the instructional materials in the right way.
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Unqualified teachers may also bring this problem. In this case it calls for a research to be carried out in this zone to find out exactly what the problem is. Objectives General Objective To investigate how instructional materials influence the performance in selected secondary schools in Westland zone, Nairobi County. Specific objectives The study will be meant:- To find out to what extent do text books influence the students’ performance? To determine how the use of visual aids influence the students’ performance. To find out whether learning environment also influence the tudents’ performance. Study Questions To what extent do textbooks as part of instructional materials influence the students’ performance in Westland zone? In which way can visual aids influence the performance of pupils in Westland zone? To what extent does the leaning environment influence the pupil’s performance in Westland zone? Hypothesis of the study There is no significance relationship between textbooks, visual aids, instructional materials and leaning environment, and they do not have any influence in student’s performance in Westland zone. Scope of the study
The study is intended to be carried out in selected schools located in Westland’s zone, which is approximately 10km from Nairobi city. The research investigates on the use of instructional materials, learning environment and their influence on the performance of pupils in Westland zone. The respondents to the questionnaires will be the pupils of those schools. Significance of the study The finding will help the policy makers to identify and formulate the right policies that can help to improve the use of instructional materials in selected secondary schools in westland zone so that the performance can be improved.
It will enlighten the ministry of education on solving the issues of instructional materials and for good implementation through District Education Officers, head teachers and teachers as well. It will also pave way for other researchers who will come thereafter to continue researching whether textbooks, visual aids, instructional materials and leaning environment, have any influence in student’s performance in Westland zone. It will be of importance to pupils for they will gain the required knowledge through the use of these instructional materials to enable them achieve their dreams.
It will help teachers to be competent in their noble work and help in improving the performance of the pupils. It will meet the researchers’ academic requirements for the award of degree in education at Bugema University. Limitations Being new in the field the researcher will find a lot of challenges, but through consulting those who have gone through it he will make it. The study will be limited by the time as the researcher will be working and he will to find extra time to do the research. Some of the respondents might be unwilling to give the correct information while others might fail to return the questionnaires.
The researcher might have a financial constrains as the research will require a lot of money for it to be completed. Conceptual Framework This part will show the scheme of concepts of variables that the researcher will use to achieve the objectives of the research. Independent variables Dependent variables Textbooks Student’s performance Visual aids Learning environment Operational definition of Terms Textbooks: Books used in basis of instruction in school.
Visual aids: These are aids that are used by teachers for pupils to look at while they are learning. Environment: It is the surrounding that positively or negatively affects the learning of the pupils. Students: They are boys and girls who learn in secondary schools. Performance: The act of doing well in school work according to the requirement of the school. CHAPTER TWO Literature Review This chapter is a review of the information that has already been recorded by the scholars and writers that gave foundation to my research.
It contains the use of instructional materials like the books, visual aids and environment in relation to the pupil’s performance. These materials are used to aid in the transfer information from one person to another . They are also tools or equipments that can help effect the instructor in classroom teaching or in practical work. Books Books are very useful when it comes to teaching. They help in so many ways when they are used. Medley (1962) stated that children by nature are picture minded. He also said that the love of children for pictures can be capitalized on the add zest, interest and vitality to teaching.
These pictures help pupils to understand that the geographical study is concerned with real things, real places, and real people. They are beautiful representation of beautiful dreams of reality. It is true according to Medley. However, books do not only help the geographical study alone but helps even other subjects as well. Learning needs integration of different areas of knowledge. This knowledge comes from different books of different subjects. Books should as much as possible contain many sketches to capture the interest of learners. Visual aids:
These are devices used by the teacher for learners to look at while learning. They make the leaning more real. According to web master (2000), there are some points that a teacher should use to make sure that teaching with visual aids has enabled pupils to learn. First, a teacher should take a center stage while using the visual aids for every pupil to see clearly. The teacher should balance the message and the pictures. This promotes curiosity for the pupils to try to know more from the aids. The colour of the aids should be well chosen when drawing them.
This increases the impact on the message. While using these aids, the teacher should check on the grammar and spelling mistakes. The heading should be well written. The aids should be simple and not complicated to make the leaner grasp and retain what intended to be taught or learnt. The above points are good. However, it should be noted that, these aids cannot be used one hundred per cent if the leaning atmosphere is not conducive. Before teaching the teacher should make sure that, the class has all the disciplines needed for good learning. Learning environment:
Medley (1962) says that for learning to take place and enhance good performance on pupils, the environment in which the learning is taking place should be considered. According to him, there are different types of environments. It may be inside the classroom or out of the class. In class the atmosphere should be conducive to learning. Outside the learning area, the learning may be affected by the economic activities taking place. The school might be in the center of the town where many activities distracts the learners’ attentions. It may be located in estates, in mining parts, or even near a big factory.
All these may distract learning. The outcome of all of these is the poor performance of the pupils. Sigmusd (2002) noted that the school should have an environment that will enhance sublimation, moralization, reality and orientations. The repulsive environment is not conducive to healthy growth of personality. The writer is against repressive social institutions because they deny the freedom to child and keep him terrified. According to the researcher all schools should be in an environment that supports good learning For the pupils to perform well.
It is good for all schools if possible to be in a location that is conducive for learning. The government should control all the activities that make the schools’ environment not conducive for learning. CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY Introduction In this chapter the researcher presents a detailed description of the study area, selected research design, the selected population and sampling design, data collection techniques, validity and reliability of the study, procedure of data collection and data analysis. Area of Study The study will be conducted in Westland’s zone in Westland Constituency in Nairobi County.
The economic activities of this area are commercial farming and business. The nearest town is Gachie. Research Design The study will be based on a descriptive design with both quantitative and qualitative research methods of data analysis . Quantitative research methods will be used because the study will require finding out percentages on the rate or extent of number of pupils in the schools. Qualitative data collection will be used on the information entered in the questionnaires which will be reflected by the observations made.
Population SchoolNo. of pupilsTargeted pupils Karura10032 Gachie7021 Kihara12035 Baraka18053 Total470141 The sample is estimated to be 141 respondents which are 30% of the total study population of 470 pupils. It was adopted from the Newman (2000) which states that for a sample population less than one thousand a researcher needs a large sample of 30% for accuracy. The sample of the respondents will be determined of simple sampling technique which will enable the researcher you select the respondents who will suit the best information.
Simple random sampling technique will be used to ensure that each respondent will have an equal chance. The formula that will be used is 470 x 30% =141 Sampling Procedure The study will use a random sampling technique. The respondent will be randomly selected to give them equal chance in data collection. This procedure will be directed towards a specific population of 470 pupils from four Secondary schools in Westland zone. In this case, the key information in a specific population of 470 respondents, 141 were used as the sample to give the required information.
Research instrument The researcher will use questionnaires where closed ended questions will be designed . there will be boxes for the respondents to fill using instructions given. The questionnaires will be constructed in accordance of independent valuables and dependent valuables of the study. After sampling the respondents, the questionnaires will be administered to all respondents. In case of clarification the researcher will be ready for that. Finally the researcher will collect all the questionnaires ready for data analysis.
Questionnaires Closed ended questionnaires will be used to get information from all respondents. Each item will have an ordinal scale of yes and No. It will also have two sections. Section A will be about bio-data and section B will be about variables. Validity of Instruments The validity of instruments will be established by using expert judgment. The instrument will be submitted to the researcher to comment and offer guidance. Reliability To obtain the reliability of the instrument, a pre test will be carried at Karura secondary school.
The instrument will have to be in a position to yield the same in test taken or given to the same individuals under the same conditions. Data analysis It will be carried out using a science package for social sciences (SPSS). The descriptive Analysis data will use frequencies to denote the responses from the questionnaire. The frequencies will then be converted to percentages. Then, the objectives will be discussed according to the objectives of the study. Report format The research on the instructional materials and their influence on pupil’s performance of pupils in Westland zone will be conducted.
It will comprise of the following: introduction, background to the study, problem statement, objectives, hypothesis, and scope of the study, significance of the study, limitations, conceptual framework, and operation definitions of terms. It will also have a chapter on literature review consisting of variables studied in details and a conclusion. Chapter three will be a methodology comprising of:- Area of study, population research designs, sampling procedure, research instruments, data analysis, and report format. There will be also be the preliminary pages that will include table of contents and work cited.
