THE STUDENT PERCEPTION OF TEACHERS’ USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN TEACHING OF MATHEMATICS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Mathematics without any doubt remains the most serviceable science subject to all disciplines and fields of human work and study. Mathematics has continued to play a significant role in the national development of any country. Development here is conceived as the capacity of a nation to apply technology for the exploitation of the resources of nature. Such exploitation will rely heavily on mathematics for laying the foundation for political, government, military, civility, scientific, technological advancement, economic development, socio cultural environmental peace.
Ihejieto [1989] identified mathematics as the ingredient for the effective articulation of the abstract elements of science that gives impetus to the development of technologies. Ezeilo [1973] noted mathematics is that there can be no real development technologically without a corresponding development in mathematics, both as conceived and practiced. Therefore, it is not a surprise to discover that the most effective and unparallel accomplishment of human being is found in his effort to utilize his mathematic reasoning
Mathematics is the science of quality and space. “It is a systematized, organized and exact branch of science”. It is a creation of the human mind, concerned primarily with ideas, processes and reasoning. Therefore, mathematics can be seen variously as a body of knowledge, a collection of techniques and even as the activity itself, namely, the solving of problems. Agreeing with them, Hirst and Peters [1970], who regard mathematics as one of the seven forms of knowledge, they go further to say mathematics is characterized by its distinctive concepts, propositions and the methods of verifying its propositions, namely, logical proof. According to Ernest [1991], it is a body of infallible and objective truth, far removed from the affairs and values of humanity.
Teaching at any level requires that the students be exposed to some form of stimulation. Teaching aids and instructional materials in mathematics means anything that can assist the teacher in promoting and learning. When the students are given the chance to learn through more than one since, they can learn faster and easier. The use of instructional materials provides the teacher with interesting and compelling platform for converging information since they motivate learners to learn more. The teacher is assisted in over-coming physical difficulties that could have hindered his effective presentation of a given topic.
A study by Kuhfitting [1974] on "The Relative Effectiveness of Concrete Aids in Discovery-Learning” showed that low-ability-students or learners benefited from aids more than high-ability students in mastering abstract skills. Kieren [1969] reports that anecdotal records show that a student’s become actively involved in the learning process and is presumably highly motivated than a student who is merely a passive recipient of information. Medayese [2005] states that instructional materials posses some inherent advantages that make them unique in teaching.
The purpose of instructional materials is to promote efficiency of education by improving the quality of teaching and learning. Clearly then, the sound education and training of mathematics and mathematics teachers is a major factor in national development. Hence, the dream of teaching of mathematics in secondary school can be realized when instructional materials and teachers are available. This study will therefore find out the students perception of teachers’ use of instructional materials for teaching mathematics in secondary schools
STATEMENT OF THE STUDY
Many students are performing poorly year after year in their examinations 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. Unqualified teachers may also bring this problem. In this case it calls for a research to be carried out in finding the cause of poor performance.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This research is mapped out to facility the researcher the student’s perception of teachers’ use of instructional materials in the study of mathematics in Egor Local Government Area, Benin City, and also, to access the extent to which the use of instructional materials contributes to the appreciation of mathematics
RESEARCH QUESTION
The following research question has been postulated to direct this study.
1.    Do teachers use instructional materials to teach mathematics?
2.    How often do mathematics teacher use instructional materials to teach mathematics?
3.    How effectives are the use of the instructional materials in the teaching of mathematics?
4.    How effective is class size and the use of instructional materials to teach mathematics?
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study will be used by the individuals and the society at large in the following ways.
1.    Creating awareness for the need for teachers and instructional materials in secondary school for teaching mathematics.
2.    It will help determine the time, place of mathematics in syllabus of secondary school in Edo state.
3.    It will unravel the major constrains faced by teacher when teaching mathematics.
4.    This study is also significant in the since that findings will immensely useful to all planner of our education policies, the ministry of education both at the state and federal levels and appropriate authorities at regulating the content of the subject to the contemporary societal needs and expectation.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study focuses on the student’s perception of teachers’ use of instructional materials in secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area of Edo state. Benin City.
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study is restricted to student’s perception of teachers’ use of instructional materials; most of the respondent to the instruments administered revealed that the uses of instructional materials in secondary schools are very poor.
For instructional and examination purpose in the teaching and learning situation. This greatly affected the sample size and general ability of findings. The inadequacy of resources, money needed to secure relevant research materials and vital information needed from more experienced researcher was in short supply.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
MATHEMATICS: - Is the science of quality and space. Ihejieto [1989] Identified mathematics as the ingredient for the effective articulation of the abstract element of science that gives impetus to the development of technologies.
EFFICIENCY: - This has to do with teachers competent or skills of the individuals.
ACCESSIBILITY: - Ability of mathematics resources to be reached and used.
LABORATORY: - Is a place equip for experiment, it provides opportunity for students to practicalize what have learnt
CURRICULUM: - Is a planned and graded learning experience and intended learning outcome formulated through the systematic reconstruction of knowledge and experience under the spice of the school for the learner continuous and willful growth in personal social competencies
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: -They are materials used to aid teaching or facilitate the interest of the students when teaching.