University of Ibadan Journals
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Abstract Electronic commerce (EC) is an Internet-based technology that has gained wide acceptance by business operators and its usage has drastically increased over the years due to the transformation enabled by information technology. Despite the progres
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Advancement in biotechnology has resulted in an increase in the rate at which biological data such as RNA, DNA and proteins are being sequenced. Inherent in the primary structures of proteins are features capable of providing information that can be used for classification using machine learning tools. In this study, a clustering model is designed for protein sequences using an alignment-free encoding technique and the Self Organizing Map (SOM). The model is an integration of an alignment-free encoding technique (Amino-acid Content Ratio (ACR) + Aminoacid Position Ratio (APR)) with the SOM algorithm. The encoding technique generates a 40 dimensional feature vector for each protein sequence which the SOM algorithm used to perform a clustering task. The SOM nodes are initialized randomly from the sample space which makes the ordering of the nodes faster. The model was implemented using the Java programming language and was evaluated using a data set of 500 sequences made up of five classes of Proteins (100 sequences each) which were collected from the UniProt Knowledgebase. Clustering of the data set was performed using learning rates of 0.1-0.9. A comparative analysis of the model against the use of only ACR encoding technique was also performed. The results showed that the model is valid and consistent in discovering quality protein clusters with a low standard error value of 0.2percent for Sensitivity test and a low standard error value of between 0.05-0.1percent with respect to specificity test. It also showed that the (ACR+APR) encoding technique is more sensitive and specific when compared to the ACR technique
Empirical Quality and Usability Assessments of Five Common Online RealTime E-Meeting Platforms
Get PDFDepartment of Computer Science,University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeri
STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTION OF TEST SECURITY AS MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR CURBING MALPRACTICES IN THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC EXAMINING SYSTEM
Get PDFThe paper examined how test security measures can be integrated into the public examining system to curb the menace of examination malpractices that has become a regular feature of the Nigerian public examining system. In a survey type of research, the questionnaire was administered to some stakeholders made up of officials and ad hoc staff of examining bodies, parents, and examinees. The data were analyzed using percentages and Chi-square statistics. Findings include: stakeholders who are causes of the various forms of malpractice have to be sensitized on the need to fight the menace, test security intelligent group should be formed to nip the menace and tri-dimensional security approach (proactive which considers security issues as part of the whole system from the commencement of test development, concurrent security which is made part of the administration of the examining instrument and retrospective measure to evaluate the entire process for improvement) be integrated into the Nigerian public examining system. This would call for increase funding. Thus, it was recommended that all stakeholders should contribute more to the funding of public examining in the country and be concerned with the security of the testing syste
EFFECT OF CLASS SIZE REDUCTION POLICY ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA.
Get PDFIn this study, the author examined the effect of class size reduction policy on junior secondary school students’ performances in Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination (JSSCE). The study’s sample consisted of 3,630 students randomly selected from 56 senior secondary schools in Ibadan Education Zone 1, Oyo State, Nigeria. Data on students’ performances in ten subjects in the JSSCE in 2004/2005 as well as 2005/2006 academic sessions were subjected to both descriptive and t-test statistics. Findings showed that students whose class size was equal to or less than 30 performed better than students whose class size was considerably greater than 30. The author concluded that if class size reduction policy is properly implemented, it will improve students’ academic achievement
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN IN OPEN AND DISTANCE EDUCATION PRACTICE IN NIGERIA: TOWARDS A PARADIGM SHIFT FROM BEHAVIOURAL, OBJECTIVE-RATIONAL APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH
Get PDFThis paper examines the basic characterization and the philosophical assumptions of the objective-rational approach to instructional design as well as that of the constructivism approach. Although the behavioural, objective-rational approach to instructional design is well entrenched in practice and has influenced teaching and learning in many ways, the constructivist approach has emerged over the last two decades and already made a significant impact on how learning should be conceived of and has provided wide-ranging implications for instructional design. The aim of this paper is to advocate for instructional designers in open and distance learning to develop a rich learning environment that helps to translate the philosophy of constructivism into actual practice. In other words, the elements of constructivism should be incorporated into instructional design models in open and distance learning.
Key Words: Instructional Design, Open and Distance Learning, Behavioural, Objective-Rational Approach, Constructivism Approac
INTERACTIVE EFFECT OF BRAIN-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY AND MATHEMATICS ANXIETY ON STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TO SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL MATHEMATICS
Get PDFThis study investigated the interactive effect of brain-based instructional strategy and mathematics anxiety on students’ attitude to Senior Secondary School Mathematics. A pre-test, post-test, control group quasi-experimental design was adopted with a 2 x 3 x 2 factorial matrix. The sample size was 522 Senior Secondary School Students from nine randomly selected co-educational schools from five Local Government Areas in Oyo State. Five schools were randomly assigned to the experimental (Brain-Based Instructional Strategy – BBIS), while four schools were assigned to the control group (Non-Brain-Based Instructional Strategy – NBBIS). The instruments were: Mathematics Attitude Questionnaire (r = 0.83), Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (r = 0.81) and Assessment Sheet for Evaluating Teachers’ Performance. One research question guided the study in juxtaposition with one hypothesis. Data obtained from the research questions were analyzed using mean scores while the hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). There was a significant interaction effect of Brain-based instructional strategy and mathematics anxiety on students’ attitude towards Mathematics.
Brain-based instructional strategy was more effective in improving students’ attitude to Mathematics than the conventional method: both the treatment and anxiety worked together to produce a joint impact on students’ attitudes. Teachers of Mathematics could, therefore, adopt this strategy for teaching secondary school students. This would go a long way in reducing the fear, test-phobia and undesirable attitude in Mathematics among students. 
PERCEIVED DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AS DETERMINANTS OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG ADOLESCENTS
Get PDFThe study investigated demographic factors as determinants of drug abuse among secondary school students in Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design of ex-post type was adopted. Participants for the study were five-hundred (500) adolescent students randomly drawn from JSS 1- SSS1 students in five (5) secondary schools located in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Their ages ranged between 10-17 years with a mean of 16.4 years. A self constructed questionnaire tagged Demographic Drug Abuse Scale (ADDAS) (r = .076) was employed to collect data for the study. Two research hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using the Multiple Regression. The results revealed that age and gender were found to predict adolescent drug abuse, while education level does not. The paper concludes that school adolescents who become drug abusers are more likely to live in a social context that makes drug use easier. Recommendations were made for peer counselling and health education as part of the curriculum of secondary school education
STUDENTS’ PERSONALITY FACTORS AS CORRELATES OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG GIFTED UNDERACHIEVERS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IBADAN
Get PDFThe study investigated students’ personality factors as correlates of academic performance among gifted underachievers in selected secondary school in Ibadan, Nigeria. It examined the relationship between the students’ personality and their academic performance especially gifted underachievers. The population consisted of gifted underachievers in selected senior secondary schools in Ibadan. A total sample of 100 gifted under achieving students were randomly selected from five out of eleven local government areas in Ibadan. A validated instrument titled International Personality Item Pool was used to elicit information from the students. Results showed that conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, and openness jointly predict students’ academic performance (p<0.05). This implied that when these five variables jointly influence students’ academic performance. Openness was highly significant (t 6.880; p<0.05), and affect students’ academic performance. However, there are no significant relationship between neuroticism and students’ academic performance; extraversion and students’ academic performance; agreeableness and students’ academic performance; and conscientiousness and students’ academic performance, (p> 0.05)
THE IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE
Get PDFThe study examined the joint and relative impacts of elements of management by objectives on the administrative effectiveness of public secondary schools in Ibadan North Local Government. A descriptive survey design method was adopted. A sample of 472 (30% of the total population) respondents was selected through simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through impact of management by objectives scale (r=0.83) and administrative effectiveness questionnaire (r=0.76). Two hypotheses were tested and data analyzed through multiple regression analysis. The five elements of management by objectives which constituted the independent variable jointly predicted administrative effectiveness of the respondents (R=0.8954). Precisely, the predictors contributed 77% (adjusted R2 =0.7655) to the variance of the criterion variable. Also, each of the independent variable significantly (P<0.05) predicted the dependent variable. Based on the findings, it was recommended that management of secondary schools should integrate and adopt management by objectives principles and practices so as to facilitate administrative effectiveness of their schools
HIERARCHICAL MODEL ON PERFORMANCE IN ECONOMICS AMONG FIRST YEAR STUDENTS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS
Get PDFPoor performance in examinations among the university freshmen has long been a major source of concern to stakeholders in the education industry. In spite of the numerous efforts made by the researchers, educators and policy makers in tackling this problem, the performance of students does not seem to have improved. Therefore, the study investigated the effect of hierarchical model on performance in Economics among First students in Tertiary Institutions. Sixty First students in the Department of Economics were used for the study. The research adopted a pro-test - post-test and control group quasi experimental design with a 2x2 factorial matrix. Two schools were randomly selected from two tertiary institutions in Lagos State. 30 participants each were randomly selected for the treatment and control group from the two selected schools. The major instruments used for the study were Learning Readiness Scale (r =.88); for screening of participants who had low performance in Economics in their first semester examination, Self-Concept Scale (r =.85) and Economics Achievement Test. The data were analysed with the aid of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) tested at the 0.05 level of significance. The finding indicates that the participants exposed to hierarchical model showed a significant improvement in their performance in Economics than those in control group (F (1, 53) = 6.008, p< 0.05, ?2= 0.068). Also, it was evidence that preventing poor performance in Economics can be explained by students’ ability to integrate acquired skills against constant failure in the subject every year. It is recommended that hierarchical model should be used by the Counselling Psychologists to intensify their effort to make use of the intervention in their strategies for counselling