THE USE OF AUDIO- VISUAL TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

ABSTRACT

The age of digitalization and globalization has given unprecedented impetus to the development audio-visual technology. Audio-visual instructions in schools have therefore continued to accelerate students’ understanding and appreciation of learning. The value of audio- visual media is further underscored by their positive impact in school libraries, the libraries positive influence of the academic performance of students and the enhancement of teacher’s performance. Libraries are no doubt veritable instruments in a nation’s educational development. The work therefore focuses on the use of audio-visual technology in school libraries, evaluated the effects of the use of audio-visual technology on the academic performance of students, and proffers solutions to problems hampering the effective application of audiovisual technology in our educational process.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

The global wave in the use of educational technology and its revolutionary effects is a major attraction to the choice of this topic for study. This project examined systematically the effects of the use of students in developing nation like Nigeria taking the case of a private primary cum secondary school library. The choice of private school is pertinent, as most government schools have no functional libraries. There is a growing consciousness among some private school owners on the relevance of functional school libraries. This project identified that an ideal library exists in International Early Learning Centre / Dority International Secondary School Aba in Abia State. A wide range of audio-visual materials and their equipment for operation abound in the library.

However, many a time materials and equipment are not used in the library. Similarly, the students are unable to use the materials and equipment themselves. There is no convenient time for them to use the audio-visual materials and equipment. Despite all these constraints, audiovisual technology is adequately used in the school in teaching and learning. The results gathered indicated that students’ academic performances are significantly improved after being taught using audiovisual technology. Nowadays, knowledge is recorded in many physical forms. Before printing was invented, the papyrus, vellum, codex etc were used in recording human knowledge. With the invention of printing came books and other printing forms. Recently, another form of media has come into prominence and that is the audio-visual media. Audio-visual may include graphic materials such as pictures, maps charts, sides etc, and finally multimedia packages such as motion pictures, video recording etc. There are also information-bearing items like microforms, computer readable data files and three- dimensional objects e.g. botanical specimens.