Preparation and use of teaching aids in teacher training colleges in Sumbawanga municipality, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to investigate the preparation and use of teaching aids in teacher training colleges in Sumbawanga Municipality, Tanzania. The study was guided by three research objectives which focused on the types of teaching aids prepared and used in teaching in the colleges; attitudes of tutors and student teachers on preparing and using teaching aids in the colleges and challenges facing tutors in the preparation and use of teaching aids in colleges. The study utilised the qualitative research approach and a multiple embedded case study research design. Data were collected from 64 respondents who were the college principals, tutors and student teachers. The respondents were obtained through purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Data were gathered through interview, focus group discussion, observation and documentary review and were analysed using content analysis technique. Findings revealed that types of teaching aids commonly prepared and used in the colleges were visual aids rather than audio and audio visual aids, This was attributed to tutors’ low skills and knowledge in using more sophisticated teaching aids and lack of exposure in preparing a variety of teaching aids. It was further revealed that most tutors were frequently using charts and drawings while only a few of them were using real objects, models and globes. Tutors’ preparation and use of teaching aids was indicated mainly in schemes of work, lesson plans, as per syllabus requirements. The majority tutors and student teachers had a positive attitude on preparation and use of teaching aids. Tutors’ limited skills and knowledge, large classroom size, too many numbers of periods, lack of creativity, little support from administration and insufficient infrastructures were the main challenges in preparing and using teaching aids in teachers training colleges. In light of the research findings, it was concluded that although tutors ware aware of the importance of teaching aids when incorporated in lessons, their preparation and use were severely constrained by financial, materials, infrastructural and administrative challenges. It was recommended that tutors should make efforts and be creative so as to prepare a variety of teaching aids using available local materials found on their environment. The MoEVT should allocate funds specifically for teaching aids and not as T/L materials in general. Furthermore, the colleges need to train and retrain tutors on how to prepare and use teaching aids in large classes. Tutors should also be involved when developing a certain syllabus, they are the ones who teach and can suggest what type of teaching aids should be used in a certain subject.