Abstract:
This study set out to investigate the varieties of instructional materials that are
available and used for teaching the novel in selected secondary schools in Baringo District. The research was guided by Piaget's Cognitive Theory and Bruner's Functionalism Theory of learning. Both have laid a strong case for the use of instructional media in instruction as it facilitates understanding of literary concepts and ideas. The justification for this study rested on various reports from KNEC on the poor performance of English and further on the latest report by KIE assessment survey (Sept. 1999), which indicated that the use of instructional media resources has been neglected by instructors. The study is a descriptive survey which was concerned with making accurate assessment of incidence, distribution and relationship of phenomena. Stratified random sampling was used to select the 12 secondary schools from which two form 3 and 4 literature teachers were selected to participate in this research. Descriptive data
was collected by administering questionnaires and observing teachers during literature lessons. For purpose of validation, experts were sought from the department and test re-test method was used for reliability. Piloting was done in a population not participating in the research. Evidence and deduction from data analysis revealed that most of the schools in the study had basic instructional media resources which were inadequately used. Majority of the schools had some of the recommended novels but very few of the non-book instructional materials for teaching the subject. In addition, financial and administrative support was not easily obtainable and the novel was taught through verbal presentation.
Recommendations were made with respect to in-service courses which lay emphasis on preparation, availability and use of instructional resources; stakeholders in education should be encouraged to purchase, produce, develop and provide relevant instructional resources for teaching the novel and the establishment of National and District instructional media Resource Centres.
