THE USE OF AUDIO-VISUAL RESOURCES IN THE LIBRARY AS TOOLS FOR IMPROVING LEARNING AND RESEARCH AMONG STUDENTS OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI

The study explores audio-visual (AV) resources in the library that would help create an understanding of student research at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). The study was guided by five research questions. The study adopted a descriptive research survey alongside with quantitative approach. The population studied included 214 final-year Library and Information Studies (LIS) students of the University. Using a purposive sampling technique, 60 LIS students were selected for the study. The two categories of instruments are Audio-Visual Resources Check-list (AVRC) and Audio-Visual Resources for Students' Learning Research (ARSLR). For data analysis, means and standard deviations were calculated and the results show that (1) the types of audio-visual resources used to facilitate Federal University Oye-Ekiti students' knowledge and research as study findings were images, projectors, slides, film strips, display board, CDs, television, tape and computer. (2) The study also found that audio-visual material offered a plethora of benefits that included clarity on subject matters, infusing excitement into traditional teaching, and advancing visualisation, so that what cannot ordinarily be experienced becomes experiential learning and aids in combating challenges in presenting abstract ideas. Problems in learning; zeal in learning/research and understanding of concepts; school dropouts; making learning abstract to students; severe lowering of students' practical understanding levels due to the absence of audiovisual resources will lapse the academic performance and impede presentation of a concept by instructors. Some of the stressful conditions are stated to be the inability to communicate audiovisual materials to the customers, insufficient physical facilities, lack of awareness of audio-visual provision in the library, widespread technophobia, and so on. Suggestions to deal with these impediments are AV use should be properly supervised by the supervising committees; consistent and adequate public power supply would have to be ensured amongst others.