The Role of Library in Teaching Social Studies in Secondary Schools
Chapter One
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The purpose of the study is to enlighten Nigerians on the need to change to an innovative and effective system of education and there reflective method meets the entire requirement for moving Nigerian educational system forward.
This research study aims among other things:
- To do a survey on Nigeria’s education system with a view to finding out how the pedagogical conventional method of education has affected the teaching and learning of social studies in Nigeria.
- To show evidence of misplaced priorities in approach to educational issue in Nigeria.
- To evaluate the teaching profession with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problems confronting the teaching profession, e.g. the Issues of falling standard of education; poor academic performance/ achievement of pupils/ students; teachers incessant strikes and cultism in our schools.
- To see that the child as the center of education is given its rightful place in the education process.
- To point out and place the right values to our education system.
- To show how the learner centred educational approach could be used to address the socio-economic, political and cultural issues that affect education in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The role and functions of school libraries in education
Generally, a library is a collection of books and other resources organised for use by students and teachers, which should meet the needs of both students and teachers (The American Association of School Librarians, 2012). Fayose (1995) mentioned that school library contains educational materials of all kinds that enhances teaching and learning development in a school. Resources such as books, periodicals, magazines and newspapers, films and filmstrips slides, video tapes, audio recordings of all forms, maps and charts, computers and other information bearing resources. School libraries are essential in the educational process since they provide the needed materials to support the school‟s curriculum. They are established to be used by both students and teachers in the teaching and learning process. The role and functions played by the school library are well- 12 documented by a wide array of associations in librarianship. One such association is the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), produced the School Library Policy in conjunction with the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The School Library Policy emphasises the centrality of the school library by asserting that it is indispensable to all approaches to literacy, education, information provision and economic, societal and national development (IFLA/UNESCO, 1999). Among the core school library service goals listed in the Manifesto, those of particular relevance to this study are those about inculcating and supporting children to acquire reading habit and also appreciate reading; and allowing them the chance to gain understanding which will be beneficial in diverse intellectual endeavours (IFLA/ UNESCO, 1999). According to the International Association of School Librarianship [IASL] school library supports learning and creates a conducive environment for reading which enables; students to enjoy reading and other voluntary activities; and adds value to the individual‟s life. (International Association of School Librarianship, 2012:3). Furthermore, Gretes (2013) also stresses that the real role of the school library is to make available and accessible good reading materials to students to enhance their studies. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in the United Kingdom [CILIP] listed roles of school libraries to include: serving as a significant educational resources that backs the school; promoting life-long learning; being the fundamental of information skills growth in the school and providing an important avenue where students gather to have their recreational and leisure needs (CILIP, 2002). All the afore-mentioned associations acknowledge the crucial role that the school library provides in the school. Several individual scholars equally attest to the essence of libraries in general and school libraries in particular. 13 Thanuskodi (2009) asserts that a well-equipped and well managed library is the foundation of modern educational structure. Accessibility and usage of the school library‟s materials and learning tools enable students to develop learning skills. Specific to the school library, Todd and Heinstrom (2006: 1) posit that the school library should provide information and information technology structures together with a collection of teaching facilities that support teaching and learning; and creates a conducive atmosphere that encourages and boosts students learning outcomes. Hay and Todd (2010: 4) also indicate that the school library offers the academic environment for acquiring knowledge and further argue that school libraries develop advanced thinking skills that students require for deep knowledge and deep understanding. Because the school library is fundamental in an educational system, it should be well established and developed as an essential part of the physical resources of the school;
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine role of library in the teaching social studies in secondary schools. Selected secondary schools in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the role of library in teaching social studies in secondary schools. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the role of library in teaching social studies in secondary schools
Summary
This study was on the role of library in teaching social studies in secondary schools. Six objectives were raised which included: To do a survey on Nigeria’s education system with a view to finding out how the pedagogical conventional method of education has affected the teaching and learning of social studies in Nigeria, to show evidence of misplaced priorities in approach to educational issue in Nigeria, to evaluate the teaching profession with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problems confronting the teaching profession, e.g. the Issues of falling standard of education; poor academic performance/ achievement of pupils/ students; teachers incessant strikes and cultism in our schools, to see that the child as the center of education is given its rightful place in the education process, to point out and place the right values to our education system and to show how the learner centred educational approach could be used to address the socio-economic, political and cultural issues that affect education in Nigeria.. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected secondary schools in Kogi state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The views of participants on the role of the school library in teaching and learning were positive. They all endorsed that the school library is beneficial to teaching and learning. However, participants enumerated some challenges they faced as they used the library. The four major problems highlighted by participants were inadequate library resources, inadequate library space, unqualified library staff, and lack of funding for the library. The headmistress argued that if there was a budget to maintain the library, the library collection could be kept current, and that most of the problems of the library could be solved. The lack of funding was affecting the contribution the school library was supposed to be making in terms of supporting teaching and learning in the school. The challenges notwithstanding, the school library and its resources were being utilised by both teachers and students as the findings portrayed
Recommendation
The researcher recommends that a qualified librarian should be in charge of the library to collaborate with classroom teachers for students to use the library resources effectively; the library resources facilitate the academic work in the school, and encourage inquiry-based learning. Therefore the school librarian should understand the school curriculum to be able to support teaching and learning of the school. For the school librarian to collaborate effectively with the classroom teachers Fullerton-Rawlins (2002:1) notes that the school librarian should be familiar and keep abreast with the school curriculum and courses offered in the school.
References
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