Journal of Educational Research in Developing Areas
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Perception of school discipline and compliance with rules and regulations among public university students in Cross River state, Nigeria
Get PDFIntroduction: Tackling students’ non-compliance with school rules and regulations to ensure the attainment of the goals of higher education has become imperative.
Purpose: This paper examined the influence of perception of school discipline on compliance with rules and regulations among university students in Cross River State.
Methodology: The study adopted survey design. Purposive and accidental sampling techniques were used in selecting two public universities and the study participants numbering 431 undergraduates. Two hypotheses guided the study while data was collected using questionnaire. The instrument was duly validated and reliability established using Cronbach Alpha reliability test which yielded .84 and .83 values for perception of school discipline and compliance with school rules and regulation sub-scales respectively. Data collected were analysed using population t-test for hypothesis 1 and linear regression for hypothesis 2 at .05 level of significance.
Results: Results of analyses revealed that the level of undergraduates’ compliance to rules and regulations in Cross River is significantly high and that perception of school discipline significantly contributes to compliance with school rules and regulations among undergraduates.
Conclusion: In view of the results it was concluded that university undergraduates have a high level of compliance to school rules and regulations. Furthermore this compliance is impacted by their perception of school discipline.
Recommendations: Universities should intentionally make students aware of school rules and regulations. Furthermore students should be involved in taking decisions in matters of discipline that concern them. This will further enhance their compliance to rules and regulations
Motivational strategies and academic performance of learners in Ghanaian languages: The role of Akuapem twi basic school’s teachers in Abetifi Kwahu, Ghana
Get PDFBackground: Teacher motivational strategies has become an important issue in language research globally.
Objective: The study sought to investigate whether statistically significant relationship exist between motivational strategies use by teachers and academic performance of learners in Akuapem Twi.
Methodology: A descriptive correlational design used. A total 200 pupils was selected from the population of 402 pupils. Motivational strategies questionnaire and 2019 BECE performance data in Akuapem Twi subject were used.
Analysis: The data was analysed using means, standard deviations and Pearson product-moment correlation test.
Findings: It was found that learners need motivational strategies such as creating a supportive classroom environment, using a short and interesting opening activity to start class and familiarizing students with the cultural background of the Akuapem Twi language. It was further found that teaching motivational strategies correlated positively with pupils’ academic performance in Akuapem Twi.
Conclusion: It was concluded that successful language learning is linked to the learners’ passion, therefore, teachers should find ways to connect to this passion using variety of motivational strategies.
Recommendations: It was recommended that basic school teachers use short and interesting opening activity to start class lessons in order to attract and sustain learners’ interest in learning the Akuapem Twi language in Kwahu-Abetifi
Effect of cognitive restructuring and testwiseness training on test anxiety among newly admitted undergraduate students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara state, Nigeria
Get PDFIntroduction: Test anxiety is relevant and highly complex issue in academic settings which can produce severe psychic problems and hamper academic achievement.
Purpose: Investigate the effects of cognitive restructuring and testwiseness training on test anxiety among newly admitted undergraduate students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.
Methodology: The study adopted quasi-experimental design employing the non-randomized pre-test, post-test, control group design. This study has three treatment groups and a control group. The treatment groups are Cognitive Restructuring Technique (CRT) group, Testwiseness Training (TT) group, combination of CRT group and TT group. The sample size of the study comprised 200 newly admitted 100 level undergraduate students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, selected using multistage sampling techniques. The selected undergraduate students cut across the four (4) faculties in the University: Education, Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, and Sciences. The instrument used for data collection in the study is Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI). The data collected were analyzed using Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) which is a technique for controlling extraneous variables and reducing within group differences.
Results: The results showed that Cognitive Restructuring Technique (CRT) and Testwiseness Training (TT) were efficacious in the reduction of the test anxiety among newly admitted undergraduate students exposed to the treatments. It was further revealed that combined treatments of CRT and TT were more effective than the single treatments.
Recommendation: Major recommendation is that Cognitive Restructuring Technique and Testwiseness Training should be incorporated by the lecturers of tertiary institution in their instructions to further improve test taking skills of their students in order to improve their performance
Analysis of some common reading strategies used by teachers in teaching reading comprehension skills to students with reading disabilities in secondary schools in Nigeria
Get PDFIntroduction: The study analyzed some common reading strategies used by teachers in teaching reading comprehension skills to students with reading disabilities in secondary schools in Nigeria
Purpose: To identify and explain some common reading strategies used in teaching reading comprehension skills to students with reading disabilities.
Methodology: Interpretive research paradigm was employed for the study. All the four special education teachers in GSS Township made up the population and sample of the study. Purposive sampling technique was employed for the study. Observation and oral interviews were used as instruments for data collection. Richness, depth, honesty, credibility, transferability, and dependability of information given were used to validate the instruments. Premature decisions, personal interest and opinions that could cause biases in the results were avoided. Reliability was established using teachers' responses and students' actual performances. Data was analyzed qualitatively.
Results: Teachers understood the reading problems faced by the students. They identified and explained some common reading strategies used in teaching reading comprehension skills to students with reading disabilities. The students were able to use their prior knowledge to read and answer questions from the text correctly.
Conclusion: Knowledge of students' problems is a mean to solving the problem. Teachers identified and explained some common reading strategies used in teaching students with reading disabilities.
Recommendations: To qualify for teaching, all teachers, apart from their area of specialization must have at least a certificate or Diploma in Learning Disabilities, specifically in reading disabilities where various activities, methods and strategies for teaching reading to students are taught
Effectiveness of educational theories and practices in achieving national unity in Kenya
Get PDFIntroduction: Education in Kenya has been tasked since independence in 1964 to be the tool of forging national unity among the ethnic people of Kenya. Surprisingly, negative ethnicity levels have escalated, as witnessed in 1992, 1997, and 2007/2008 ethnic clashes.
Purpose: The review investigated theories and practices in Kenyan education with regard to promotion of education goals for national unity.
Methodology: This study employed critique as a philosophical method of investigating phenomena. This study critiqued the theories and practices of education in Kenya with respect to how they influence the attainment of national unity.
Results: Education theories and practices in Kenya lack metaphysical contact with the Kenyan people as they emphasise much individual progress as opposed to communal development. The philosophies that underpin education such as pragmatism, existentialism and humanism propagate Western metaphysical perspectives as opposed to African metaphysical perspectives like communalism, hierarchical continuum, and continuity.
Recommendations: This study recommended curriculum changes in History & Government to ensure that content therein does not elevate ethnic consciousness as opposed to national consciousness, a new subject area African Religious Education should be introduced, and Kiswahili should be considered as the Language of instruction in primary education to ensure attainment of national unity
Academic achievement motivation and interest in schooling on adjustment to school transition among students with visual impairment in South Eastern Nigeria
Get PDFIntroduction: The study analysed the impact of academic achievement motivation and interest in schooling on adjustment to school transition among students with visual impairment in south eastern Nigeria.
Purpose: To investigate the extent to which academic achievement motivation and interest in schooling would jointly influence the adjustment to school transition among students with visual impairment.
Population: The study adopted a descriptive (survey) design. A sample size of one hundred (100) JSS 1 students with visual impairment purposively selected from ten (10) integrated secondary schools in south eastern Nigeria were used for the study.
Methodology: Three instruments were used to collect data for the study. Student’s Academic Achievement Motivation Scale (α= 0.86), Academic Adjustment Scale (α=0.79) and Interest in Schooling Scale (α=0.79). Data collected was analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression at 0.05 level of significance.
Results: The study revealed that academic achievement motivation and interest in schooling jointly predicted adjustment to school transition among students with visual impairment. The study findings also revealed that motivation of academic achievement had an influence on school transition, while interest in school had no influence on school transition adjustment.
Recommendation: It was recommended that the government should put in place functional counseling centres in integrated secondary schools as to avail students with visual impairment the opportunity of being attended to and help develop skills that would enable them adjust to their immediate challenges and cope with the rigors of the school environment
Traditional variables and utilization of health care services among women of childbearing age in Bekwarra local government area of Cross River state, Nigeria
Get PDFIntroduction: Improvement in maternal healthcare for women of child-bearing age at the grassroots level has necessitated the need to access and use health care services. Previous studies focused mainly on demographic, economic, and some social factors, with little concentration on traditional variables, such as cultural and religious practices, particularly among women of child-bearing age.
Purpose: This study examined the effect of cultural and religious factors on the utilization of health care services among women of child-bearing age in the Bekwarra Local Government Area of the Cross River State, Nigeria.
Methodology: For this study, descriptive survey design was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a total of 217 respondents from the ten wards of the Bekwarra LGA of Cross River State. A self-developed questionnaire with a reliability value of 0.84 was used as the instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed with the use of inferential statistics of simple linear regression.
Results: The outcome of the study showed that cultural practices and religious beliefs significantly affect the utilization of health care services among women of child-bearing age in Bekwarra LGA
Recommendations: based on the findings of the study it was recommended that traditional rulers, clan heads and village heads should be educated on the need to sensitize their subjects especially women of child bearing age to seek and utilize health care services in their area to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate
Voices from the students: Dissatisfaction and violence in secondary schools in Kenya
Get PDFIntroduction: Specifically, the paper sought to establish how aspects such as parenting, school management and administration, students’ behavior and peer pressure influence arson attacks in secondary schools in Kenya.
Purpose: The paper was to establish factors influencing dissatisfaction and violence caused by students’ voices in Kenyan secondary schools.
Methodology: Documentary analysis was done on scholarly studies done during a similar scenario in their schools.
Results: The parenting style adopted by the parents also play an important part in how the child adapts to the school environment. Students serve as important sources of information that otherwise are not available regarding implementation and experiences of educational change.
Conclusion: It is important to allow the students to contribute to educational issues.
Suggestions: Often student input can lead to an increased focus on improving school climate, such as improvements in advisory period structures and life skill curricula (Fielding, 2001). Students’ voice can also influence teacher training, and ongoing staff development. When teachers and teachers-to-be learn how to listen to their students, teachers begin to remove the stereotypes and labels that can be so easily attached to students
Tracking professional conduct of graduates of Federal College of Education, Yola, Nigeria between 2000 and 2010
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: The fundamental obligations of Colleges of Education is to breed fleet of teachers that are employed in primary and Junior Secondary Education levels to impart knowledge, moral and societal values for better change and stability, hence the need for institutions to have regular feedbacks from the adjoining societies so as to breed developmental policies and planning to ascertain development.
PURPOSE: The study’s purpose was to survey the students’ experiences shortly after completing their NCE and to examine the impact of their academic training, social engagement and inter-personal relationship while they were at the College on their present professional conduct.
METHOD: A multi-faceted methodological approach was engaged in this study. This made room for a wide range of data collection. Robust discourse questionnaires and interviews were employed.
RESULTS: The results showed 35% of the graduates have gone for further studies, 58.2% still with NCE and 6.1% are currently pursuing additional qualification. Most of the alumni are fully engaged in teaching either at Primary or Secondary school levels for permanent and pensionable appointments and only a few are engaged by Parent Teacher Association (PTA). It also revealed that collection of statement of results after graduation was very difficult and that graduates’ relationship with staff and others was very pleasant. The training received from the college was also found to be impressive by most graduates.
CONCLUSION: The study recommended that there should be room for quality in the teaching/learning environment and that lecturers should make maximum impact on the would-be teachers as they go through learning in the College
Psychological variables and consumption of healthy meals among first cycle students in Calabar metropolis, Nigeria
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: Many higher education students indulge in risky eating behaviours which tend to affect their physical, psychological and academic health. Previous studies have tried to understand the trend in students’ eating patterns without paying adequate attention to contributing factors.
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the influence of selected psychological variables on the consumption of balanced diets among students in two public universities in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria.
METHODOLOGY: A research question was posed, and a formulated hypothesis to guide the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A total of 12,530 faculty of education students spread across two public universities in Calabar Metropolis constituted the population of this study. A sample of 125 students was randomly selected through the stratified technique. A four-point questionnaire was used for data collection after validation by experts. Descriptive statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation, and percentages answered the research question. The null hypothesis was tested at the .05 level of significance using the one-sample t-test analysis.
RESULTS: Findings revealed that the influence of psychological variables (such as stress, emotions, and mental state) on students’ consumption of balanced diets is not significantly low.
RECOMMENDATIONS/CLASSROOM IMPLICATIONS: Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that students cultivate the habit of always eating quality meals rich in nutrients, irrespective of their psychological state, to maintain a healthy life