Analyzing the preparation and usage of visual aids as teaching tools in primary schools
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the preparation and usage of visual aids as a teaching tool within St. Peter's Primary School, Nsambya. The researcher sampled both class teachers and teachers from primary one to primary six, making a total of 12 teachers who are either directly or indirectly involved in the preparation and usage of visual aids at St. Peter's Primary School, Nsambya.
The study was set to establish factors influencing the preparation and usage of visual aids within this school, the personal responsible for making visual aids, different types of visual aids prepared, materials used in their preparation and how they are displayed during the teaching process in order to give better understanding to the students. The study used a descriptive research design to obtain data.
Data was collected through observing different procedures undertaken by teachers in the creation of visual aids, different materials used, types of visual aids produced and how visual aids are displayed within classrooms at this school. Interviews on teachers were also carried out in order to get first-hand information on who indulges in the preparation of visual aids, the types, materials and display techniques.
The results were prepared using photos, analyzed using captions and discussed using descriptions. The results indicated that most teachers within this school don't indulge themselves in the preparation of visual aids and those that do only make use of manila paper to create charts through drawing on them and accompanying the drawings with captions. These are there after pinned on soft boards or walls.
The school lacks adequate resources for purchasing materials used in the preparation of visual aids. This is worsened by teachers who don't properly utilize the available materials since they are inexperienced and lack the appropriate skills used in the preparation , display and use of visual aids.
The researcher therefore recommends that the school administration and the ministry of education allocate adequate funds towards purchasing a variety of materials used in the preparation of visual aids, recruiting a group of specialized teachers with basic knowledge of drawing and illustration in order to make visually pleasing diagrams and always carry visuals as they are going to conduct a lesson rather than displaying them before the lesson.