REVISED EDITION FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES & PRACTICE OF INSTRUCTION EDITED BY : I .O ABIMBOLA A .O ABOLADE 1 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF INSTRUCTION Edited by I. O. ABIMBOLA A. O. ABOLADE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES AND EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY., UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN P.M.B.1515 ILORIN, NIGERIA 2 Separately or as a part of the relevant sections, each chapter has its own bibliography and revision questions drawn in part from past examinations in the relevant courses to guide the reading. we made deliberate efforts to simplify the language in which \ the hook without loss of meaning. we wish to use this medium to thank all the con for their prompt response to reediting their works and reviewers who have given their suggestions to enhance the quality of this second edition. Our sincere appreciation goes to Educational Technology lecturers who have used their expertise in preparing the layout of this edition. Our appreciation goes to, cover designer. Dr. Bisi Onasanya. It is hoped that the dimensions of innovations and information explosion will engender further revision and another edition of this book. PROF I. O ABIMBOLA PROF A.O. ABOLADE 3 CONTENTS Chapter 1 - A Brief History Of Teaching I .O Abimbola Chapter 2 - Philosophical Foundations Of Instruction A.S Olorundare Chapter 3 - Psychological Foundations Of Instruction M.O Fajemidagba Chapter 4 - Sociological Foundations Of Instruction C.O Daramola Chapter 5 - characteristics of professions A.A Jekayinfa Chapter 6 - Teaching As A Profession In Nigeria Problems And Prospects R.W Okunloye Chapter 7 - Concepts In Education A.G.A.S Oladosu Chapter 8 - Concepts Of Aims , Goals And Objectives R.W Okunloye Chapter 9 - Aims,Goals,Objectives Of Education In Nigeria A.A Jekayinfa Chapter 10 - Approaches. Methods. Strategies Techniques and their Interrelationship R. A. LawaI Chapter 11 - Relevance of Curriculum. Teaching and Examination Syllabi for Instruction S. O. Daramola Chapter 13 - Socratic. Project. Discovery and Problem Solving Methods of Instruction 4 M 0, Fajemidagba Chapter 14 - Laboratory. Demonstration and F,eld Trip Methods of instruction E 0 Omosewo Chapter 15 - Play-way, Role Playing and Story Telling Methods of Instruction M F Salman Chapter 16 - Team Teaching and Departmentalization Solomon Olorundare Chapter 17 - Modular Instruction & Contracts S. O. Medahunsi Chapter 18 - Dalton Plan and Keller Plan M. A. Fakomogbon Chapter 29 - Types and Uses of Tests Adebayo LawaI Chapter 30 - Alternative Assessment Techniques B.T. Danmole Chapter 31 - Non-Conventional Grading Systems 5 for Classroom Use B. T. Danrnole Chapter 32 - The Use of Continuous Assessment U. A Ajidagba Chapter 33 - Professional Growth and Development O. Abimbola Chapter 34 - How to write Behavioural Objectives A Yusuf – Chapter 35 Strategies for effective instruction In Large Esl Classes S. B. Olajide Chapter 36 - The Communication Process: Model and Implications for Instruction M. V. Adegbija Chapter 37 - Agencies of Education S. B. Olajide and A Yusuf Chapter 38 - Basic Criteria for Selecting and Using Learning and Instructional Materials A.O. Abolade Chapter 39 - Philosophical Foundations of Science 6 Teaching Prof. S. O. DaramoJa Chapter 40 - Comment Enseigner Le Francais a L' Ecole Secondaire Au Nigeria? A.O.Abolade Revision Questions 1 (a) What do you understand by Grading in the context evaluation? (b ) Mention and Explain the use of any two types of nonConventional grading systems. 2(a) Explain the non-conventional grading system: "A Mastery Approach" for the. purpose of evaluation. (b) Give two advantage and two disadvantage of the grading system mentioned above. 3. Distinguished between "Written Evaluation" and "Self Evaluation" grading systems. 4(a) Describe "a contract" grading system (b) Give two types of contract grading systems 7 CHAPTER 32 EVALUATION OF STUDENTS' LEARNING OUTCOMES IV The Use of Continuous Assessment U. A. Ajidagba Introduction Assessment in whatever form, remains the only practical and veritable means of gauging students' learning outcomes. In education. it is widely acknowledged and recognized as a necessary component of the system In this chapter, we shall endeavour to bring out a discourse on definition of continuous assessment and its evolution in definition of continuous assessment and its evolution in Africa as well as its introduction into the Nigerian system of education. Other areas Covered include advantages of effective use. Lastly, the chapter ends with a conclusion and revised questions Definition of Continuous Assessment In education, it has been accepted to use the two Words. continuous and assessment as a single or compounded word, or as a phrase to represent a concept Despite the coinage the original duality of the Word (s) Continues to manifest itself in meaning and usage. When the Phrase is used as one. it connotes' dual meanings. This probably. is the reason why It has become increasingly difficult to propose a single meaning or definition for the concept. For instance the word continuous at times means unending. But we may loss focus if so interpreted in this context. Hence, the word functions as a prefix, representing the regularity or frequency with which test are administered on the learner. Other words that can function in the same way are Intermittent, regular, and cumulative. . 8 The word assessment, on the other hand. is in the family of words like, test. measurement and examination, the highest form been evaluation. In spite of all the observed grammatical complexities, attempt have been made to give educational definition to the concept. In an attempt to satisfy curious minds. the Federal ~ministry of Education (1980) gave a somewhat complex definition of continuous assessment thus: A mechanism whereby final grading of a student in the cognitive affective and psychomotor domains of behaviours takes : account, in a systematic was of all his performances during a given period of schooling: such assessment involves the use of variety of modes of evaluation for the purpose of guiding and improving learning and performances of the student;1 (P.10) ' Despite the seeming comprehensiveness of the above definition. it does not take into account the importance of continuous assessment to teachers in the area of methodology.According to Ogunniyi (1984), continuous assessment may be defined as a formative process of finding out the accomplishment of students in a systematic manner after exposure to some learning experiences Continuous assessment, according to, Kamar (1984), should not only be systematic ,it should also be objective- He asserted that: It is a systematic and objective process of determining the extent of a students' performance in a continuous and progressive manner, as well as judicious accumulation of assessment information with a view to using it to guide students in their learning and as a basis for important 9 decision about the teachers' methodology (P,7). It could be seen from the definitions that one crucial issue is missing This is the relationship between the continuous assessment and the educational objectives. In the light of the various governments' resolve to make education available and functional. there is the need for a comprehensive and meaningful approach to continuous assessment. To make it be in consonance with the current trend of education in Nigeria. it is pertinent to propose that. continuous assessment, as against the all-ornone final paper-pencil examination, should be defined as a steady, formative and analytical grading of students' academic and non-academic activities throughout their stay in the school. It should be pointed out here that the C.A. been conducted on various courses, to form a particular percentage of the overall scores, is just a subset of the comprehensive concept of continuous assessment because the role of education transcends intellectual development. Apart from being formative in nature, a good continuous system must be systematic, comprehensive, cumulative and guidance inspiring. To be systematic, C.A. must be properly planned. if it should measure what it intends to measure. The assessor must decide wisely when to administer his/her test, he/she should regulate the frequency of the test to-be meaningful. .C. A. is comprehensive if it is conducted by the use of a variety of instruments, standardized or teacher-made. The cumulative aspect of C.A refers to the fact that a decision on the learner is based on so many records containing a variety of data. Lastly, C.A is guidance - inspiring because it serves as a basis for mirroring what the learner has achieved. It allows the learner to know how he/she is fairing and It allows the teacher to know areas of strength and weakness of the students. . A Brief History of Continuous Assessment in Africa Despite the variety in political ideologies. with their concomitant effects on education, many African countries had introduced the system of C.A. as a way of determining students' academic attainment as far back as the early 10 70's.According to Pennycuick (1990), many countries had even gone to the extent of substituting external examination with C.A. The Introduction of C.A in Tanzania, according to Njabili (1987). was sequel to the Musuma revolution which began the campaign against the "Almighty" once-and-for-all examination in the country. The intention then was to de-emphasize paperqualification examination which did not reveal students’ ability and capability. It was however in1976 that the system got well entrenched in Tanzania educational system. That year alone, the C.A had constituted 50% of. the total weighing in the final results of students. In New Guinea. CA had been in operation since late 70's. Between that time and 1981, two systems of education, of which CA was part, were experimented. the CA system suffered a temporary setback only to resurface on the scene in 1982-. Up till today. C.A. is so officialised in the Guinea that it is the. State Department of education that issues guideline on its conduct to all schools. The Nigerian experience of the C.A is dated back to the introduction of the 6-3-3-4 of system of education. As a complete departure from the former 6-5-2-3 system, the 6-3-34 system allows a child to be in primary school for 6 years, and a secondary education for another 6 years which are divided equally into Junior and Senior sections. For university education, it is minimum of 4 years. The system advocated for an evaluation system that would not only be enduring but also must ensure intra and inter-students comparability. Although, the system did not take off at the same time throughout the country, for political reasons, both the Federal Government - owned schools and those controlled by the then ruling party commenced the new programme in 1982. Justifying the introduction of C.A. into the system of education in Nigeria. FME (1980) stated that it was meant to gradually discontinue the use of results obtained from the final or end-of-course examination level of educational accomplishment of a child. Today, C.A. is used in all levels of Nigerian educational levels for both promotions and graduation purposes. Advantages of Continuous Assessment The following are the advantages of C.A. in the educational enterprise: 11 1. Continuous assessment is less stressful to students 2. It does not summarily penalize students 3. It affords students the opportunity of knowing their performance level and this will encourage them to work harder 4. It encourages the use of a variety of problem-solving skills. Since not all problems require similar solution. the progressive nature of C.A. makes it easy for teachers to develop and use different approaches to teaching 5. It serves as a measure that forces students to sit up for serious academic and non- academic activities instead of playing . 6. With reference to academic work. C.A. has the potential to reduce the rate of memorization which students employ during final examination. Problems Associated with Effective Use of Continuous Assessment Like other educational issues. C.A. has its own problems. They include: Inadequate conceptualization. Many institutions that operate C.A do not assess every aspect of the curriculum except the cognitive dimensions 2. Not all teachers have sufficient knowledge and expertise in the use of C.A. Only teachers with requisite teacher education can lay claim to the required expertise in this regard. 3. . C.A. no doubt. increases the workload of the operators and its application in its original form required a lot of dedication and sacrifice. 4. Economic recession does much harm of the application of C.A. especially where students have to buy materials to facilitate assignments. 5. Inconsistencies in government policies and programmes constitute a major bane in effective utilization of CA For instance, the desire to maintain high quality of education on one hand and the enforcement of automatic Promotion to give room for new intakes On-the other. 6. The fact that it is teacher-made. CA is prone to abuse and Error 12 of judgment For instance, it can be to used to assist undeserved students. Conclusion Assessment in Whatever form remains the only known means of determining students' level of academic and non-academic achievement Although Continuous assessment Was not introduced the same time in Africa, most major African countries have introduced it into their systems of education. In Nigeria it has become an inseparable part of the educational system, as it is used for both promotion and graduation In Spite of its numerous merits. CA is still beset with a number of difficulties which are not insurmountable with time and determination. Bibliography Cangelosi. J. S. (1990) Designing test for evaluating students' achievement. New York Longman Clift. J. C and Imrie. B. W. (1981) Assessing students, appraising teachmg New York John Wiley Son. Federal Government of Nigeria (1998) National Policy On Education Lagos NERDC Press. 13 Federal Ministry of Education (1980) Handbook On Continuous assessment. Lagos: Government Press Teacher appraisal and self-evaluation: A practical guide. (1990) London: Basil Kamar Y. N. (1989). Continuous Assessment of pratical work in Biology. Sokoto Educational Review 2. Njabili. A. F. (1987). continuous assessment: The Tanzania experience. A paper presented at a seminar. Sussex.Institute of Development Studies: University of . Sussex. , Ogunniyi. M. B. ( 1984). Educational measurement and evaluation Lagos Longman. Pennycuick. D (1990) the introduction of continuous assessment in developing countries in P. Broad. R. Murphy and H. Torrance (EdS.). Changing educational assessment: international perspectives and trends. London: Rout edge. Rowntree. D (1977) Assessing students: How shall we London. Happer & Row Revision Questions 1, Define continuous Assessment within the context of the system of education in Nigeria, 14 . know them 2. Write briefly on the historical development of C,A. in Africa,. . 3. Give 5 points of comparison of C:A. with final examination. 4. List and explain 4 characteristics of a good C,A. 5. Highlight 5 major problems militating against the effective use of C.A. 15