Utilisation of instructional materials to enhance training of Home economics skills in Ibanda- core primary teachers' college, Uganda

Abstract

Effective use of Instructional Materials (IM) in the teaching learning process promotes competence acquisition among the learners, however utilization of IM is inadequate and ineffective is many Primary Teachers' college. This study aimed at improving the utilization of I in the teaching-learning process of Home Economics (HE) at Ibanda Core Primary Teachers' College. The study was guided by the following objectives; 1) the factors that hinder the effective use of instructional materials in the training process of HE, 2) the intervention measures that can be used to improve the utilisation of instructional materials in the training process of HE and 3) the impact of the intervention measures on the utilisation of instructional materials in the training process of HE. The study used a participatory action research approach in a qualitative research design and data was collected using interviews, participatory observation, and documentary analysis and focus group discussions. The finding indicated that, the ineffective and inadequate utilisation of IM has been caused by; lack of adequate materials and tools, wide home economics subject content, lack of opportunities for professional development and poor time management among the tutors and the student teachers. Together with the stakeholders solutions to address the causes were developed and implemented. The solutions included; equipping of the home economics laboratory, developing and using of teaching monitoring forms and the use of active learning strategies like learning through projects and learning by doing. Evaluation of the solutions indicated that utilisation of IM was improved with equipping of the HE laboratory and the use of active learning strategies and the monitoring forms greatly improved time management of both the tutors and the student teachers. The study recommends that; tutors should be given refresher courses concerning the utilisation of instructional material on market while other PTCs should also set up HE laboratories in order to improve the utilisation of IM during their lessons and that PTCs should also set up a reserve fund for home economics practical lessons.