Synchronized Multimedia on Motivation and Academic Performance of Students

Abstract

Multimedia [MM] materials and equipment are instructional materials which teachers and trainers use as alternative
means of communication to transmit curriculum content to the learner. MM combines two or more different types of instructional
materials at the same time in a presentation. They have synchronization potentials and can be effectively used to facilitate
teaching and learning process, arouse learners’ interest, support and reinforce students learning, influence better academic
performance in learners, aid mastery learning, among other things. This paper presents the results of research studies carried
out to determine the effect of synchronized MM use on motivation and academic performance of students in Biology. Pearson
product correlational analysis indicated lack of correlation between use of synchronize MM and students’ motivation while t-test
indicates significant difference between biology students who were taught with synchronized MM (mean score, 51) and the
control group (mean score, 23). The control group who were taught the same Biology devoid of synchronized MM package
performed poorly. We recommend that there is need for government to provide multimedia in secondary school and the biology
teachers to make transition to use modern MM devices and adopt different approaches for biology instruction and laboratory
activities rather than the traditional or conventional talk-chalk method.