The Influence of Library Resources and Teaching Effectiveness of Biology
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background to the Study
Education in its broadest meaning is any process by which an individual gains knowledge and insight or develops attitude or skills. It is an experience that has a formative effect on the mind, character, or physical ability of an individual. Education can also be seen as the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, values, and skills from one generation to another generation (Holmes, 2013). Education in Nigeria is an instrument par ”excellence” for effective national development.
Secondary school is the level of a better future and for further study in higher institutions but the function of this education can hardly be achieved in the absence of library resources because the library is an important facility in any educational institution be it, primary, secondary, or tertiary. This is where materials are stored, classified, and displayed for readers to derive maximum benefits. The term ”library” came from the Latin word “Liber” which means “book” library can be defined as a collection of books and other materials organized ad maintain for use (reading, constitution, study research, and so on).
British dictionary defines a library as a room or building where books and other library resources are kept for use by the public. Wikipedia defines a library as a collection of information and similar resources selected by experts and access to a defined community for reference or borrowing.
Library resources are those collections in the library. That is the available material in the library that is functional and beneficial to the library user. Similarly, library resources consist of manpower of power of library and reading materials like printed and non-printed resources, it also includes electronic resources which satisfied the user’s requirement. So, generally, library resources are considered the reading materials such as printed and e-resources.
According to Ashikuzzaman (2016) in the ancient period, a variety of materials was preserved in the libraries and used as a library reference. They preserve their traditions (customs and beliefs) in the library. After some technological development, paper was invented and used as a library resource. So in our generation, printed resources are considered library resources. More technological development also brings about e-learning; e-library.
Ekpo (2014) noted that secondary education is where students are prepared for further study in higher institutions. According to him, these objectives of secondary education could hardly be achieved without library facilities in secondary schools. He further maintains that the library is the oldest source of information for learners, teachers, and other interested readers.
Daniel (2014) noted that library facilities/resources have not been given adequate attention in Secondary Schools in Nigeria. Edeghere (2014) observed with disappointment that secondary schools were lacking in library resources.
The Influence of Library Resources and Teaching Effectiveness of Biology
A library can be seen as a systematic acquisition of information materials in different forms originating, storing preserving, and making available/ accessible for use. Library resources can be printed or non-printed. A library collection may include books on different subjects, periodicals (magazines journals newspapers) manuscripts reference materials(encyclopedias, dictionaries, maps gazetteers, indices, and abstracts), audiobooks microform CD-ROMs, videotapes, E-Books, databases and E-learning resources such as monitor, printer keyboard, scanners, copier, and other peripherals.
Anderson (2015) carry out research on the influence of library resources on the teaching/Learning process in Nigeria Secondary Schools. He found out that library resources improve the teaching/learning process in the school system. He asserted that the goals of any educational system can hardly be achieved when library resources are not available in that school. Based on this background the researcher considered it necessary to examine library resources and effective teaching of Biology in Secondary Schools in Oruk Anam L.G.A.
- Statement of the Problem
Biology is an important science subject that is studied in the senior secondary school section, and its knowledge is needed for admission to any science-related courses in higher institutions. Moreover, the knowledge of biology is necessary for solving real-life problems.
But the teaching of this important science subject (biology) in secondary schools is not effective due to having equated library resources. This has resulted in the poor academic achievement of students in biology.
Though this poor academic achievement of students may be attributed to other factors such as school location, and school laboratory classroom facilities. But lack of library resources in biology is a major problem affecting the achievement of biology in the area.
As a result of this problem of poor library status in the biology area in secondary schools library, it motivates the researcher to investigate library resources and the teaching of Biology in secondary schools.
- Purpose of the Study
The general purpose of this study is to examine library resources and the teaching effectiveness of Biology in secondary schools in Oruk Anam L.G.A.
Specifically, the study aimed at;
- Examining the extent of which library resources are available for effective teaching of Biology in Secondary Schools in Oruk Anam L.G.A.
- Examining the extent of which library resources influence the effective teaching of Biology in Secondary Schools in Oruk Anam L.G.A.
- Statement of Hypothesis
The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the Study:
- There are no significant library resources available for the effective teaching of Biology in secondary schools in Oruk Anam L.G.A.
- There is no significant influence of library resources on the effective teaching of Biology in Secondary schools in Oruk Anam L.G.A.
- Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will be of great benefit to the government/ educational state-holders, teachers, students, and other researchers in the following ways;
The government/educational state-holders will see the need of providing library resources to the secondary school system for effective teaching in school. The teachers also benefit in that when the resources are available they will deliver their lessons with ease. Adequate library resources for them to utilize and update their knowledge.
This finding will also serve as reference material to other resources who will conduct research on the same or similar topic.
- Delimitation of the Study
This study is delimited to library resources and teaching effectiveness in Biology among Secondary School teachers in Oruk Anam L.G.A. the target population for this study is all the biology teachers in the study area. The area of concentration is the availability and effect of library resources for the effective teaching of biology.
