Utilization of Multimedia Instructional Materials and Its Influence on Secondary School Students’ Academic Performance and Learning Interest in Benue South, Nigeria

This research examined the utilization of multimedia instructional materials and its influence on secondary school students’ academic performance and learning interest in Benue South, Nigeria. The research was conducted to determine the extent of utilization of multimedia instructional materials and their influence on students’ academic performance and learning interest, as well as gender differences in these areas. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population comprised 43,018 secondary school students in Benue South Senatorial District, from which 396 students were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and independent-samples t-test. The findings showed that multimedia instructional materials were utilized by teachers to a high extent, with a grand mean of 2.75. The materials also had a high influence on students’ academic performance with a grand mean of 3.01 and on learning interest, with a grand mean of 3.03. A significant gender difference was found in academic performance, with female students recording a higher mean score of 3.31 than male students of 3.22, t = 2.14, p = .033. A significant gender difference was also found in learning interest with female students recording a higher mean score of 3.36 than male students of 3.24, t = 2.56, p = .011. The research recommended regular and appropriate use of multimedia materials, provision and maintenance of facilities, practical teacher training, improved electricity supply and inclusive use of multimedia resources for both male and female students.