Abstract:
Purpose: The study investigated the availability and utilization of audio-visual (AV) resources for teaching
and learning in Nigerian universities, with a focus on the Faculty of Social Sciences, Bingham University,
Nasarawa State.
Design/Methodology/Approach:It was guided by five (5) specific objectives. The descriptive survey
research design was adopted using a sample of 195respondents drawn from a population of 487 students.
This population representsthe total number of undergraduates in the Faculty in levels 200, 300, and 400.
Two instruments were used for data collection, viz; an observation checklist and a 39-item questionnaire
was used.195 copies of the questionnaire were distributed but 187 were returned giving a response rate of
95.9%. Data collected were analysed using mean scores, standard deviation, frequency counts and simple
percentages.
Findings:The finding shows the availability and utilization of a good number of AV resources, which
include: interactive whiteboards, computers, and maps/charts, among others. The utilization of these AV
resources was found to have effects in the areas of making learning easy, reducing the cost of acquiring
learning materials, increasing the academic performance of the students, etc. Furthermore, the study
discovered numerous challenges facing the utilization of AV resources for teaching and learning with their
solutions, revealed.
Implications:University management should support and further increase the training and re-training
programmes given to staff and students on the use of modern teaching and learning technologies. Internet
connectivity should be provided at a subsidized rate to the students. Furthermore, there is a need for an
upgrade in Internet bandwidth. Staff should be encouraged and allowed to engage in capacity
development programmes to enable them to acquire required ICT skills, which is a vital tool for the
utilization of audio-visual resources in teaching and learning.
Originality/Value: Based on the findings, it was recommended, among other things, the need for
authorities of Nigerian universities to invest more in the deployment of AV resources for teaching and
learning as they will go a long way in creating a good learning environment, and making teaching and
learning more easy and interesting
