IMPACT OF MULTIMEDIA TOOLS ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF BIOLOGY STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL (A CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN YOLA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA ADAMAWA STATE)

ABSRACT This study investigated the impact of multimedia tools on the academic performance of Biology students in senior secondary schools of Yola North Local Government Area, Adamawa State. Chapter One presented the background of the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research questions, hypotheses, significance, scope, and operational definition of terms. Four objectives, four research questions, and four hypotheses guided the study, and the hypotheses were tested at a 0.05 level of significance The study adopted a survey research design and was conducted in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The population of the study comprised all SS2 Biology students in public senior secondary schools within the area, while a sample of 100 students was randomly selected from five schools. A structured questionnaire consisting of 29 items grouped into four clusters was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by experts in science education and measurement and evaluation, while its reliability was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.86, indicating high internal consistency. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.The findings of the study revealed that: (i) multimedia tools were not adequately available and accessible in the selected senior secondary schools (Cluster Mean = 2.9, SD = 0.99); (ii) the level of utilization of multimedia tools in teaching Biology was generally low, with respondents being largely undecided (Cluster Mean = 3.0, SD = 0.99); (iii) multimedia tools had a significant positive impact on students’ learning outcomes and academic performance in Biology (Cluster Mean = 4.1, SD = 0.87); and (iv) several challenges hindered effective integration of multimedia tools, including lack of government provision, poor funding, and inadequate facilities (Cluster Mean = 4.0, SD = 0.89). The study concluded that the use of multimedia tools enhances students’ comprehension, motivation, and retention in Biology when effectively utilized. However, infrastructural limitations, insufficient funding, and lack of teacher training impede their full adoption. It was recommended that the government and relevant stakeholders should ensure adequate provision of multimedia resources, regular training for teachers, and proper maintenance and technical support to promote effective multimedia integration in Biology education and improve students’ academic performance.