Availability and Adequacy of Audio_visual Resources in the Teaching and Learning of Biology in Secondary School in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State

ABSTRACT The primary goal of this research study is to assess the availability and adequacy of audio-visual resources in the teaching and learning of biology in secondary school in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State. The research design used for the study was a descriptive designs of a survey type which allows the description of the participant of this research in an accurate way, and enables information to be obtained from a representative sample of the population. The sample size for the study consists of one hundred (100) students randomly drawn from five (5) schools in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State. The instrument for the collection of data was a self-designed questionnaire. The instrument has face and content validity. The data collected were analyzed and interpreted using frequency counts and simple percentage. The study revealed that that Secondary schools use various audio-visual resources for biology teaching, including video lessons, PowerPoint slides, virtual field trips with VR and AR, visual representations of biological concepts, and online resources. Resources should align with biology standards, cater to diverse learning styles, promote active learning through hands-on experiments and simulations, encourage critical thinking with real-world applications, and accommodate varying skill levels among students. Many schools face challenges in effectively utilizing audio-visual resources due to a lack of necessary equipment, limited budgets for technology and high-quality materials, insufficient training for educators, the time-consuming nature of preparing these aids, and difficulties in integrating them into lesson plans. Based on the findings of this research work, it was recommended that appropriate use of audiovisual aids is a skill; therefore teachers should be trained in use of traditional as well as new technology based audiovisual aids through pre-service as well as in-service teachers’ professional development programmes. Teachers should be encouraged to use audiovisual aids from the very early stages of learning in order to enhance the interest and motivation of students and keep them attentive in class. Curriculum planners and policy makers should introduce early use of audiovisual aids in the curriculum so as to familiarize the students with the technology so as to prevent over excitements when they are exposed to it for the first time at a later stage thereby causing distractions to the students. State and Federal governments should equip all schools with necessary audiovisual instructional materials for teaching and learning. The government and secondary school management authorities should make adequate provision for funds to enable secondary schools acquire AV resources and effectively utilize them for teaching and learning. The students should be frequently tutored on the use of Audio-Visual resources as easier way of learning. This will ensure the application of proper caution in handling the AV resources by the students as well as embracing them in enhancing their teaching and learning processes. Secondary school authorities should make effort in ensuring that these teachers are trained and re-trained on the use of AV resources for teaching and learning. The government should ensure the provision of standby generators or solar panels as alternatives to the frequent power failures often experienced in the nation.