EUREKA: Social and Humanities
Not a member yet
436 research outputs found
Sort by
Learning through radio and television during COVID-19: perspectives of K-12 stakeholders
Full text linkThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted traditional education, leading to the adoption of alternative methods, such as learning through radio and television for K-12 students. Television and radio became popularly adopted platforms to disseminate educational resources during the pandemic in developing countries, such as Nigeria. This study gathers the perspective of K-12 teachers and students during the crisis to find out the effectiveness of the utilized platforms, examine the challenges encountered, and suggest the way forward in case of future occurrence. The concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) guided the study. A qualitative methodology of interpretivism was employed using 20 participants that comprise students and teachers across the five south-western states in Nigeria. Findings show that teachers adapted their lessons to be delivered through broadcasts, while school administrators have worked closely with broadcasters to develop and implement educational content. Students have had mixed experiences, with some finding radio and television engaging, while others face challenges with engagement and adaptability. In essence, the result shows that most of the respondents though acknowledged the effectiveness of the radio and television approach to learning but opined that the lessons are not detailed enough. Furthermore, educational television broadcast is preferable to radio lessons as the visual effect contributes significantly to learning. The study concludes that broadcasters have played a critical role in delivering educational content, partnering with schools, and developing programs that align with the curriculum during the pandemic. The study discussed its implication, followed by limitations, and gave direction for future studies
The economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on family life and children’s eating habits
Full text linkIt is no tittle-tattle that the incidence of the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world in many areas. Nigeria got her own share of this virus in February 2020, which led to the closure of schools, worship centres, businesses, and other social arenas by the Federal Government. Based on experience and occurrences, we investigated the economic impact of children eating habits during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria. The snowball sampling technique was used to collect data from 334 adults across the nation. Findings revealed that families with an increase or decrease in eating patterns are not likely to support the lockdown policy by the government during COVID-19 compared to families with unchanged eating patterns, among others. Further, families' expenditures change during the COVID-19 lockdown irrespective of their income level. This implies that the pandemic has affected negatively Nigerian parents who have been facing total and partial lockdown with no increase in their income but a decrease in a savings and corresponding increase in their children’s eating rate. We, therefore, recommend that internal institutions oversee the need to have a food reservoir in case of future occurrences of this nature whereby people could have a temporal means of survival. Additionally, parents' coping strategies can be utilised to encourage their children to learn new skills (online skill acquisition training) during the lockdown
Perception, readiness and disposition of lecturers towards online-based data collection for academic research
Full text linkAcademic research focuses on conceptualizing particular problems and situations to create broadly applicable ideas that help us recommend workable solutions. This study investigated university lecturers’ perception, readiness, and disposition to the data collection process via an online-based method in academic research. A descriptive survey research approach was used for this study’s research design. The population for this study comprises all colleges of education lecturers in Kwara State. 400 lecturers served as the sample for this study using multi-stage sampling techniques. A researcher-designed questionnaire was adopted for this study, with a reliability index of 0.73 obtained. Summated mean was used to answer research question one, while percentage was used to answer questions two and three. Three hypotheses were generated and tested with a two-way Analysis of Variance at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that lecturers held positive perceptions with a grand mean score of 3.26, 151 (37.8 %), and 197 (49.25 %) were sometimes ready and had a moderate disposition towards online-based data collection methods. It was recommended, that the National Commission for Colleges of Education should endeavour to make adequate provisions for ICT facilities (computers, laptops, internet, power supply) that will encourage lecturers to adopt online-based data collection methods for research
South Africa's gender-based violence: an exploration of a single sided account
Full text linkGender-based violence (GBV) is a global social problem that has received considerable attention from policymakers and researchers. However, when speaking of GVB, significant attention is paid to women who are seen as being at the receiving end of violence. Although statistics do support the notion that women are mostly exposed to GBV, little attention has been paid to GBV against men as often not, it is the man who is seen as the aggressor and the woman painted as the victim. This article investigates reasons Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against men is not being addressed in South Africa. Males are also victims of GBV in South Africa, although the government, media, and police pay little attention to GBV against males. It is critical to remember, that men, regardless of their muscularity, can be mistreated by men or women. Males may be raped, killed, or attacked, and they also deserve government care and protection. In South Africa, the government is especially concerned about The GBV against women and children, and August is recognized as Women's Month, where women's rights and protections are vigorously contested. However, in South Africa, nothing is done to protect men from gender-based violence. This article acknowledges violence against women and children in South Africa; however, it contends that the government has done insufficient to combat violence against males in South Africa, even though the constitution guarantees males' human rights and recognizes that they can also be victims of GBV
Effect of mathematical software on senior secondary school students’ achievement in geometry
Full text linkIn spite of the numerous benefits of geometry to the learners, there has been an abysmal achievement of students in the concept. Could it be that an appropriate teaching strategy is not used in teaching the concept to the students? This quasi-experimental research design was carried out using non-randomised pretest and posttest group. To ascertain the achievement of high school students using mathematical software in geometry class. David kolb’s experiential theory of learning was used as an underpinning theory. From the total of 12,308 high school students in Benue state Nigeria, 457 sample was drawn for the study. Test of hypotheses was done using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance, whereas Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the questions in the research. The findings of the research show that students in the experimental group outperformed those in the control group, with a Mean score of 68.94 versus 58.45. The study findings also showed a statistically difference in the achievement and there were no gender disparities in both groups. The study concluded that mathematical softwares improved students’ achievement, hence, recommended that teachers should adopt mathematical software in the teaching of geometrical constructions and other mathematical concepts for students’ high achievement
Teachers’ perceptions of the impact of teenage pregnancy on learners’ academic performance: a case of selected schools in South Africa
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the negative impact of teenage pregnancy on learners’ academic performance in one district of education in South Africa. Teenage pregnancy was argued in the literature as the main source contributor to learners’ low academic performance, especially in disadvantaged schools in South Africa. For example, teenage pregnant learners missed classes owing to absenteeism as they will be visiting clinics. Their performance rate fluctuates as this depends on their periodic mood swing, which they experience from time to time. In some cases, these teenage pregnant learners drop out of schools. The study followed a qualitative research approach where purposive sampling was employed to select two educators per institution from three selected schools. Pseudonyms were used to protect the participants from being known and encouraged them to participate freely. Trustworthiness and ethical considerations were adhered to. Open-ended questions were prepared and administered to the selected educators to find out the impact of teenage pregnancy on scholastic performance.
The study findings established that a sense of knowledge and respect of rights need to be promoted since these pregnant learners have the right to education and must receive the same education as other non-pregnant learners. The study, reported on this paper, further recommends that all stakeholders should discourage teenagers from watching television with sexual content that might tempt them to engage in sexual activities that can lead to teenage pregnancy, which will end up affecting their academic performance
Enhancing plurilinguistic abilities through group work in an english first additional language context: teachers’ perspectives
Full text linkLanguage is an ever-developing and ever-changing phenomenon, thus ways to teach a language also develop and undergo changes in the progress of time. To keep up with these developments, translanguaging was used in this study. Translanguaging is the most recent all-encompassing method in language planning and evaluation that is needed to replace past linguistic practices that viewed languages as separate entities in a globalised world. The study aims to determine why English first additional language teachers use group work in the Further Education and Training phase. For this qualitative study, only 8 English First Additional Language teachers teaching in the Further Education and Training phase were selected as participants in individual interviews. These participants were stationed at 4 high schools in South Africa. The results indicate that as the learners translanguage as they work in groups, they appreciate each other’s linguistic background. Communicative language teaching is one of the most effective methods of teaching and learning a second language because it provides opportunities for learners to practice and improve their communicative competence in pedagogic and real-life situations. Learners are largely content with linguistic concepts in a multilingual setting that dwells on the known to the unknown. Working in groups may make the learners improve their understanding of content and also language proficiency as the subject under discussion will be tackled using different languages apart from English First Additional Language. Besides, language and culture are interconnected; therefore, keeping up with one’s home language(s) allows for greater participation in the home culture and builds stronger ties between different languages
Comparative analysis of economic sectors: competitiveness and business performance in the altas montañas, veracruz strategic context
Full text linkThis article presents the results of a study, conducted in the Altas Montañas region of the State of Veracruz, Mexico, aimed at assessing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in different sectors. The study utilized a Development Competitiveness Map, which consists of nine variables: strategic planning, supply of materials, quality assurance, marketing, accounting and finance, human resources, hiring external companies, social responsibility, and environmental management. The results indicate that the commercial sector is the largest, accounting for 37 % of SMEs in the region, followed by the industrial sector (35 %) and the service sector (28 %). The service sector performed highest in several variables: strategic planning, accounting and finance, and human resources. The commerce sector performed well in hiring external companies, while the industrial sector lagged in most variables, except environmental management. The study also revealed that the service sector had a younger average age of managers compared to the other sectors. Women's participation was highest in the industrial sector, while university education was relatively balanced across sectors. The article discusses the specific results for each variable in each sector, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Marketing, hiring external companies, and environmental management were identified as opportunities to enhance regional competitiveness. The study suggests implementing public and private policies to support SMEs in these areas. The findings provide valuable insights into the current competitiveness among SMEs in the Altas Montañas region and offer recommendations for fostering their growth and development. However, the study acknowledges some limitations, such as the limited sample size and potential bias due to non-participation by some businesses
Entrepreneurial challenges facing female entrepreneurs in informal micro businesses: a case study of uMhlathuze municipality
Full text linkIn low-income economies, large gender gaps suggest that fewer women engage in entrepreneurial activities. The quest for gender inclusion has been a relevant issue, contested among scholars investigating ways to alleviate poverty through economic growth in South Africa and the sphere of entrepreneurial studies.
The aim of this study was to investigate the obstacles that female entrepreneurs in small, medium, and micro-informal companies face in the uMhlathuze Municipality in South Africa.
Twenty-four (24) females who operate small and medium micro-informal companies were interviewed using a qualitative research methodology. Content analysis was used to examine the data.
Females confront various challenges, including criminality, draughts, non-conducive working settings, and intense competitiveness, according to the research. Lack of infrastructure, funding and information, education and training, and operational permission concerns are all obstacles to business development. The key issues that most of the participants faced were a lack of funds, infrastructure, and education and training, all of which were used to develop recommendations.
The municipality should establish training centres in each township to train and educate women who want to start or expand their companies.
The study seeks to contribute to the literature on women entrepreneurship in the informal sector by focusing mainly on challenges/barriers hindering female entrepreneur’s success in the uMhlathuze Municipality. They are limited studies that have conducted a similar research in this geographic area
Reflections on rurality stigma associated with teen-fatherhood
Full text linkThere is stereotypical thinking in communities when coming to parenthood. Most community members believe that only mothers are capable of caring for the child. Most community members see teen fathers as unresponsible community members who indulge into different drugs. This stereotypical thinking mainly occurs in rural areas wherein grandparents will deny the biological father rights to care for the child. Due to the rejection and other social ills that come to place, some fathers find substances as an escape route or coping mechanism. This paper is aimed at identifying and mapping available literature on rurality stigma associated with teen fatherhood and substance use. The researcher adopted scoping review as the research design and purposively sampled articles from different database such as ScienceDirect, Ebscohost and Google Scholar. Data was then analyzed thematically