CHAPTER ONE
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
INTRODUCTION
Teaching method is the main factor necessary for impacting knowledge to the students or pupils. A number of methods have been tested and agreed upon by educators as good. None of the methods is however, perfect and effective for all situations but each of the methods or a combination of them can be used at any particular time to impact our subject matter. (Onwuba E. 1983). In the past, few methods are used in impacting knowledge into the pupils which sometimes make them boring. Callahur et al (1977) noted that the method by which the teacher presents his/her materials to the learners and engages them in the task at hand is very important. Methodology is very vital in every teaching and learning situation. This is because, for effective teaching and learning to take place, the skillful teacher needs to use the many different methods and techniques at his command. Even though there is a great diversity in teaching methods and techniques, there is no one of them that can be regarded as the best for every teaching situation. (Onwuka 1982).
A carefully designed teaching method can work wonders in making learning more effective. The success in the use of the method depends on intelligent analysis of the educational purposes, the pupils in the class, the curriculum, and content of the moment or the type of subject matter being taught. (Brown 1990). There are some methods considered more essential in impacting knowledge on the pupils. Such methods are as follows: Discussion method, discovery method, play method, dramatization method, story telling method, demonstration method, lecture method and field trip method.
DISCUSSION METHOD
Discussion implies the participation of pupils in the process of learning by evaluating points of views, raising issues of their own and seeking solutions based upon study, examination and group analysis under the guidance of the teacher. In order for the discussion class to be effective, the teacher must know how to guide the pupils without dominating the discussion. (Mark 1982).