CHAPTER ONEINTRODUCTION1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDYResearchers have shown that there is correlation between instructional materials and the academic performance of student (Oyinloye & Ajayi, 2008), (Katherine, 2009). Despite this submission, teachers in private schools still find it difficult to make use of instructional materials in the teaching and learning process. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the importance of visual and audio-visual aids and the academic performance of student in private secondary Schools in Etinan Local Government Area.Learning can be reinforced with instructional materials of different variety because they stimulate, motivate and as well as arrest learner’s attention during the instruction process. The performance of student in their academic work depends on a number of factors. The provision of the right facilities must be followed by appropriate and right use to which the facilities are put. Furthermore, instructors are the key factors in student’s performance and must be well trained to optimize the use of the instructional materials to enhance teaching (Adufe, 2007). Instructional materials are learning aids and devices through which teaching and learning are done in schools. According to Kunari (2006) instructional materials are those materials used in classrooms or workshops for instruction or demonstration purpose by the students and teachers. Instructional materials are essential and significant tools needed for teaching and learning of school subjects to promote teacher’s efficiency and improve student’s performances. They make learning more interesting, practical, realistic and appealing. They also enable both the teacher s and student to participate actively and effectively lesson session. They give room for acquisitions of skills and knowledge and development of self-confidence and self actualization.Agina-Obu (2005) submitted that instructional materials of all kinds appeal to the sense organ during teaching and learning. Isola (2010) also described instructional mat4erials as objects or devices that assist the teacher to present their lesson logically and sequentially to the learners. Oluwagbohunmi & Abdu-Raheem (2014) acknowledged that instructional materials are such used by the teachers to aid explanations and make learning of subject matter understandable to student during teaching learning process. Asuquo (2007) explain that instructional materials as actual equipment used as “hand on” process by learners in order to develop the degree of skills sought by the course of requirement.Instructional materials can be divided into major categories, namely: audio, visual, audio-visual and ICT (Information and Communication Technology), Isola (2010). Audio instructional materials are those that appeal to the auditory senses such as radio, audio tapes, VCDs, DVD and others. Visual instructional materials appeal to the sense of sight and they come in forms of pictures, prints, real objects (models) etc. audio-visual combine the auditory and visual sense to appeal to the learner and heighten interest such materials take the form of films, television, audio-visual tapes and CDs. ICT has delivered several packages that can aid teaching and learning to achieve desirable learning objectives. These packages are found in mobile devices like smart phones, personal computers, internet facilities and the likes. ICTs provide lot of learning experiences to student with varied interest and capabilities. Pictorials illustration help to connect and relate abstract concept with objectives visual realities for the student to understand and grasp more easily the ideas represented by the invisible abstract concept. Projected visuals are able to convey information and specific experiences that are needed for the development of workable concepts. Films can modify motivations, interest, attitude and opinions. Relia (real objects) or three-dimensional models can be effective in teaching and learning as the student learn a great deal by examining and manipulating a model.

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