OSABUOHIEN OSA OKUNDIA

The study was carried out to assess the impact of instructional materials in teaching and learning Biology in senior secondary schools a case study in Oredo Local Government Area. The study was guided by four research questions were raised to guide the study. The Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study and the population of Senior Secondary School Students in Oredo Local Government Area. The sample size of one hundred students and twenty teachers made up the respondents was achieved using the simple random sampling technique. The data collected from both teachers and students were analyzed using the Cronbach Alpha statistics. An Alpha value of .78 and .72 were obtained. The data were analyzed, tabulated, interpreted and then discussed. Percentage and frequency were adopted as a method of data analysis.
The findings of the study therefore clearly revealed that; teachers consider instructional materials as key to academic performance. Lack of school library, lack of books and lack of reliable internet connection are some of the challenges encountered in the use of instructional materials. Improvisation and borrowing of instructional materials that are not available is of the method utilized in minimizing shortages of instructional materials. Following the findings of the study, the researcher recommends below; teachers should try hands on the production of simple aids so that students can see what they are talking about in the lessons. The government should establish resources centers to enable teachers borrow teaching aids which may not be in the schools.