Problems of Improvising Physics Instructional Materials as Perceived by Serving Teachers in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is a descriptive survey study carried out in Cross River State, Nigeria. Cross River State is one of the states in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The sample for the study consisted of one hundred and sixty (160) physics teachers randomly drawn from the two hundred and forty three (243) secondary schools in the state. The instrument for data collection was the Physics Teachers Perceived Problems of Improvisation Questionnaire (PTPPIQ). The instrument was trial tested using thirty physics teachers in schools not used for the study. The results of the trial-test was analysed and a reliability index of 0.81 obtained using Cronbach Alpha. The instrument was then administered on the one hundred and sixty respondents and the results showed that factors such as inability to identify local materials needed for improvisation, lack of tools, excess workload on the teachers and voluminous nature of the syllabus among others, were identified as factors perceived by physics teachers as militating against improvisation. The study also revealed that these problems were not gender bias. The paper recommended among others, the motivation of physics teachers and that improvisation should be included in the pre-service physics teachers training programmes.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-5-10