Journals of Forman Christian College
Not a member yet
217 research outputs found
Sort by
Secondary Public-School Teachers’ Perceptions of Gamification in ESL Instruction: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkThis study aimed to explore teachers\u27 perceptions of the efficiency of gamification, which is known to spark students\u27 engagement and result in better learning at secondary schools. Gamification may play an integral role in Pakistan’s education system which includes English as a Second Language (ESL). Using a qualitative research design and phenomenological approach, data was collected via semi-structured interviews with 28 secondary public-school ESL teachers, experienced with gamified instruction. Thematic analysis revealed four themes: 1. Gamification made Learning Fun; 2. Popular Gamification Strategies; 3. Improvement in Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes; and 4. Challenges of Using Gamification in ESL Classrooms. The study recommends that public schools in the country must focus on resource prioritization, teacher professional development support, collaborative planning strategies, and differentiated approaches to cater to students with differing levels of digital tool knowledge
Harnessing Solar Potential for Sustainable Development of Karachi-Pakistan through Geo-Spatial Assessment
Full text linkPakistan has the potential to produce renewable energy, which is critically needed in areas such as Korangi, a district in Karachi, Pakistan, that faces major challenges, such as rapid urbanization and pollution. In this study, Google Earth Pro was used to analyze solar panels\u27 location using historical data from 2017. It was found that there are fewer solar panels in the industrial belt of Korangi. Korangi is situated in the southern part of the country, approximately 24.8 degrees north of the equator at latitude, which is relatively close to the equator, contributing to the high level of solar radiation and warm climate. Thus, this area is considered favorable for solar panels or energy production and 95 sampling locations were selected for the pollution assessment. Of these, 52 were those sites where solar panels are installed, and the remaining were at residential and commercial locations. Compared to 2017, the variables assessed in the existing research\u27s pollutants are higher in the non-industrial zone (residential and commercial localities) for 2023. Air Quality Hazard zones are also found along the areas of conventional power generating plants. This study concludes with recommendations for city planners, policymakers, and energy professionals to frame appropriate strategies for Korangi-Karachi; which has implications for other regions in the country with potential for solar energy
Magical Realism films as a resistance device: Cultivating a Space for Marginalized Narratives
No full textThis research paper aims to highlight the utility of magical realism films as a resistance device for marginalized communities to reclaim their narratives. The historical timeline of magical realism as a genre is traced to recognize its evolution as a distinct school in contemporary independent cinema. In order to establish the magical realism film as an ideal medium for the propagation of revolutionary narratives from socially ostracized and oppressed communities, a film analysis has been conducted. The objectives of this paper include identifying the magical realist elements in Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s 2015 film “Cemetery of Splendor”, exploring the scope of representation provided to marginalized identities through these elements and explaining how magical realism films allow space for subjects that need to be approached indirectly though highly coercive metaphorical devices.
The study has been able to find substantial evidence for the connection between magical realism and narratives of resistance. It has also been able to prove to a great extent that the hybrid nature and immersive quality of the cinematic medium enhances both the realist and the fantastic element in magical realism. The medium aids the conviction in the genre’s imaginative tools, maintaining the objectivity essential for the acceptance of unconventional narratives. The findings of this research can be applied to further research into resistance art. The growth of radical thought in independent cinema and the role of symbolic justice as a gateway to practical empowerment must be studied to provide proper representation to the alienated margins of society
Anything and Everything Sells: A dialectic of the Creator and the Consumer
No full textThis critical paper examines the persuasive effect of capitalism in the culture industry and critique production in all domains of the 21st century. Central to the analysis is the seminal work of Adorno and Horkheimer’s “The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception,” putting forth the argument that capitalist imperatives are easily traced in the commodification of culture, using Jazz as a case study. This paper also examines Barthes’ “The Death of the Author” to highlight how it becomes a capitalist incentive in the literary domain concomitantly reducing the authorial authority and pertaining it to the consumers. These critiques, emanating from Poststructuralism and Postmodernism paradigms, illuminate capitalism\u27s deep-seated impact on cultural and intellectual spheres, influencing the dialect of creator and consumer’s discourse. Despite deconstructing and resisting established norms, these movements often inadvertently reinforce capitalist paradigms by framing cultural consumption within commercial contexts. This paper underscores the complex interplay between capitalism and cultural production, highlighting the ongoing debate over how economic imperatives shape artistic expression and societal values in contemporary discourse.
Keywords: Capitalism, Consumerism, Cultural Industry, Commodification, Postmodernism
Simulation Analysis of Short and Long Run Shocks: Syed Kashif Saeed and Eatzaz Ahmad
No full textThis paper traces the effects of temporary and permanent changes in price level, GDP, money supply, interest rate, exchange rate and foreign exchange reserves by using a six-variable VAR model. The main findings are that; GDP growth in the long run pressurizes prices due to which inflation keeps on increasing along with GDP. An exogenous increase in prices results an increase in GDP in short run but in long run it depresses the output. Therefore, there is an evidence of optimum rate of inflation with respect to output growth and targeted inflation rate is not necessary to become zero
Land Resources, their management and use in Pakistan: Dr. M. S. Younus Jafri
No full textPakistan occupies the eastern most basin of the three great rivers that traverse the steppe desert of the old world--the Nile, the Tigris-Eupharates and the Indus. Pakistan is located between 24° and 37° N latitudes and 61° and 77° E longitudes. It has a land area of 796,100 sq km and a population of 149 million, which is increasing at a rate of 1.9 percent per annum. About68 per cent of the people live in rural areas and 32 percent in urban areas. The climate is characterized by irregular rainfall, low relative humidity and extreme temperatures. In the plains the maximum temperature exceeds 40 C in summer and goes below the freezing temperature in winter. Most part of the land is arid or semi-arid in the sub-tropical continental zone. Theaverage annual precipitation ranges from 100 mm in the central zone to more than 250 mm in the Himalyan foothills. About three-fourth of the country receives less than 250 mm rainfall therefore the irrigation plays a vital role utilizing Pakistan\u27s land resources for agriculture purpose
Dynamics of Poverty in Rural Punjab: A CaseStudy of Rural Area of Tehsil Samundri: Irum Naz, Sadia Ali and Babar Aziz
Full text linkPresent study is an attempt to analyze the causes of absolute and relative poverty in Pakistan. Data for the study has been taken from a household survey in a village named 142-GB Tehsil Samundri, District Faisalabad. Its results show that 67 percent of the households are poor in absolute terms. The incidence of relative poverty is 52 percent, 62 percent and 67 percent at 50 percent, 66.6 percent and 75 percent of average per person income, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis, using international poverty line was used to analyze the causes of both type of poverty. The results indicate that land, education, occupation, dependents, livestock and female participation are the significant determinants of absolute poverty. Furthermore, land, livestock and female participation has intensified the incidence of relative poverty, whereas education has decreased it
Role of SMEs in the economy of Pakistan: A Critical Analysis: Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Masood Sarwar, Imtiaz Ahmad
No full textSMEs are the most important sector of the economy. It plays a pivotal role in creating and expanding markets. Moreover, it provides employment and a source of scarce foreign exchange earnings in most of the economies. Researchers have tried to examine various issues related to this sector. However, a little research has been conducted to analyze the role of SMEs and its shortrun and longrun impact on the developing economies like Pakistan. This study highlights the role of SMEs in developing economies. The main sectors of SMEs in Pakistan are discussed. On the basis of critical analysis it can be concluded that SMEs plays a pivotal role in the development process of Pakistan. Some important policy measures are also forwarded that help in overcoming the weaknesses in the various sectors of economy
Determinants of Youth Activities in Pakistan: Rizwan Ahmad and Ijaz Hussain
No full textThis paper analyzes the youth labour market activities in Pakistan. Based on micro data of Labour Force Survey (2006-07), the strength of analysis presented in the paper is twofold. First, it highlights some issues of youth in labour market, their attitude towards work and education in Pakistan and second, the econometric analysis investigates the supply side determinants of youth activities in Pakistan. Our descriptive analysis shows that a substantial percentage of youth is neither in labour force nor enrolled as student which shows the wastage of human resources in the society. Moreover, higher unemployment among educated youth, poor level of education and skills, predominance of informal economy are some of the major issues of youth labour market in Pakistan. Results of multinomial logit model show that being a female reduces the chances of full time work and full time students in Pakistan. In general, young people with educated parents are more likely to enroll in education, while those whose parents are working in agriculture or informal sector are more likely to be full time workers. Similarly, responsibilities within household as a head or having more number of siblings also increase the economic participation of youth
Brain Drain from Pakistan: An Empirical Analysis: Samina Farooq and Eatzaz Ahmad
Full text linkThe paper is an attempt to empirically analyze the drivers of emigration of highly[1]qualified and highly-skilled manpower from Pakistan to 27 destination countries over the past 36 years. The econometric model employed is a bipolar specification of augmented gravity model, which is hybrid of pull-push factors of migration models and gravity model of migration. Then study constructs indices to measure drivers of brain-drain through the technique of principal component analysis. These indices are then used to analyze their potential role in the process of migration. The study finds that the main factors contributing to migration from Pakistan include the pull factors like better socioeconomic conditions in the destination countries and push factors associated with demographic and labor market condition in Pakistan. Thus the empirical findings support the underlying demand and supply based theories of migration. Based on the findings of the study and keeping in view the importance of remittances that Pakistan receives from overseas Pakistanis, the study concludes that in an over-populated country like Pakistan, unplanned brain-drain needs to be re-oriented to take the form of planned brain-export