50 research outputs found
The conventional versus a constructionist Scratch programming and first-year students' achievements in higher education classes: experimental data.
No full textGlobally, learning or teaching the first programming (popularly called CS1) remains a significant educational challenge. Indicators such as CS1 students' engagement, failure and attrition rates, and lack of diversity, continue to show the need for innovating the learning or teaching of novice computer science students. To ease initiating novices to programming, Scratch, a visual programming language, has become a staple of K-12 CS1 classes.
As outcomes of a research project aiming to explore a constructionist Scratch pedagogy with novice CS students in higher education, we present these datasets. In the research lasting two successive academic sessions, we conducted two quasi-experimental studies involving four intact CS1 classes in selected public polytechnic in the north central Nigeria. In each study, we randomly assigned the classes to the experimental and control groups, constituting the constructionist Scratch and the conventional CS1 classes, respectively.
Instruments for collecting data include a student profile questionnaire, a pretest, and posttest. Sequel to ethical clearance and permission from the selected schools, we conducted each study during the first semester of each academic session, in the first seven to eight weeks. During the first to second week, we administered students who consented to take part with the questionnaire and the pretest. Learning or teaching in the two classes lasted six weeks. Then both classes took the posttest. An independent CS educator who is not part of this research marked all the achievement tests, following a rubric prepared by the first author. To strengthen the research design and the possibility of arriving at valid causal evidence, we employed a Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) algorithm to generate matched samples of experimental and control data, which we used in the analysis.
Data presented here includes the raw, unmatched and matched experimental datasets from both studies. A researcher can make use of the data:
To explore if some background variables not addressed in the original research may moderate CS1 students' achievements. For instance, their prior achievements in mathematics, physics, or English.
To uncover some interesting patterns using machine learning algorithms.
To validate the outcome of the original experiment by using the unmatched, matched or newly generated matched samples.
The authors welcome further research collaborations in using the data or the accompanying research instruments.
Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldRephraseRephrase current sentence4Edit in Ginger
Book Review: African Philosophy: Reflections on Yoruba Metaphysics and Jurisprudence
No full textBook Title: African Philosophy: Reflections on Yoruba Metaphysics and JurisprudenceBook Author: Oladele Abiodun BalogunPublisher: Xcel Publishers. Pages: 387. Year of Publication: 201
Nexus between Personal Factors and Practice of Self-Medication among Primary School Teachers in Oyo State, Nigeria
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the nexus between personal factors and the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers in Oyo State. Five hundred participants constituted the study’s sample out of which only 476 were used after data administration. Both the independent and dependent variables were measured with validated instruments with 0.85 reliability co-efficient and the data obtained was analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) Statistical method. Two research hypotheses were formulated and tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that there was a significant relationship between poverty and the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers (r= .823; p<0.05) as well as between illiteracy and the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers (r= .643; p<0.05). The implication of this showed that poverty and illiteracy level had significant impacts on the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers. In view of these findings, it was recommended that educational stakeholders should frequently organize seminars and workshops for primary school teachers, especially in rural areas on the dangers of self-medication.A tanulmány a személyes tényezők és az öngyógyítás gyakorlata közötti kapcsolatot vizsgálja a nigériai Oyo államban élő általános iskolai tanárok körében. Módszer: a mintát ötszáz résztvevő alkotta, amelyből az adatfelvétel után csak 476-ot használtak fel. Mind a független, mind a függő változókat validált eszközökkel mérték 0,85 megbízhatósági együtthatóval, és a kapott adatokat a Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statisztikai módszerrel elemezték. Két kutatási hipotézist fogalmaztak meg és tesz-teltek 0,05-ös szignifikanciaszinten. Eredmények: szignifikáns kapcsolat van a szegénység és az öngyógyítás gyakorlata (r= .823; p<0,05), valamint az analfabetizmus és az öngyógyítás gyakorlata (r= .643; p<0,05) között az általános iskolai tanárok körében. Konklúziók: a szegénység és az írástudatlanság jelentős hatással van az öngyógyítás gyakorlatára az általános iskolai tanárok körében. Ajánlásként meg-fogalmazták, hogy az oktatásban érdekelt felek rendszeresen szervezzenek szemináriumokat és workshopokat az öngyógyítás veszélyeiről, különösen a vidéki területeken élő általános iskolai tanárok számára
A személyes tényezők és az öngyógyítás gyakorlata közötti kapcsolat a nigériai Oyo állam általános iskolai tanárai körében
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the nexus between personal factors and the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers in Oyo State. Five hundred participants constituted the study’s sample out of which only 476 were used after data administration. Both the independent and dependent variables were measured with validated instruments with 0.85 reliability co-efficient and the data obtained was analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) Statistical method. Two research hypotheses were formulated and tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that there was a significant relationship between poverty and the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers (r= .823; p<0.05) as well as between illiteracy and the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers (r= .643; p<0.05). The implication of this showed that poverty and illiteracy level had significant impacts on the practice of self-medication among primary school teachers. In view of these findings, it was recommended that educational stakeholders should frequently organize seminars and workshops for primary school teachers, especially in rural areas on the dangers of self-medication.A tanulmány a személyes tényezők és az öngyógyítás gyakorlata közötti kapcsolatot vizsgálja a nigériai Oyo államban élő általános iskolai tanárok körében. Módszer: a mintát ötszáz résztvevő alkotta, amelyből az adatfelvétel után csak 476-ot használtak fel. Mind a független, mind a függő változókat validált eszközökkel mérték 0,85 megbízhatósági együtthatóval, és a kapott adatokat a Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statisztikai módszerrel elemezték. Két kutatási hipotézist fogalmaztak meg és tesz-teltek 0,05-ös szignifikanciaszinten. Eredmények: szignifikáns kapcsolat van a szegénység és az öngyógyítás gyakorlata (r= .823; p<0,05), valamint az analfabetizmus és az öngyógyítás gyakorlata (r= .643; p<0,05) között az általános iskolai tanárok körében. Konklúziók: a szegénység és az írástudatlanság jelentős hatással van az öngyógyítás gyakorlatára az általános iskolai tanárok körében. Ajánlásként meg-fogalmazták, hogy az oktatásban érdekelt felek rendszeresen szervezzenek szemináriumokat és workshopokat az öngyógyítás veszélyeiről, különösen a vidéki területeken élő általános iskolai tanárok számára
The Nigerian novel and indigenous culture : problems of communication
No full textIt is argued in this thesis that the Nigerian Novel is an attempt to transliterate traditional customs, beliefs and attitudes, the characters of myth and legends, a whole universe of ancestors, into an entirely new context of the twentieth century, employing a language to which the modern reader can respond. The work gives detailed consideration to the salient features of this attempt and assesses, with particular reference to the novels of Tutuola, Achebe, Aluko, Nzekwu, Amadi, Balewa, Egbuna, Adaora Ulasi, Nwankwo and Okara, what in each case is the atti tudeof the novelist to the indigenous culture of his country and how successfully the link between tradition and modern experience has been established. The approach adopted in the thesis is one of close analysis of texts in an attempt to find out how critically an author has presented those aspects of tradition he has selected for treatment and how skilfully he has dramatized the realities and dilemmas of the present. On each author answers are sought to a numer of searching questions. What are the particular values the writer is upholding or opposing, and what is his attitude to them? What particular emotional or intellectual effect does he hope to achieve, and does he succeed? If he does, by what methods of communication? If he fails, from what problems of communication has failure resulted, and what effect does this have on the reader? What sympathies are evoked, and how do we see a particular work in the body of works of a particular author? A writer's language is a mirror held up to his personality and his particular circumstances. It is through his use of language that he reflects his individual awareness of a given situation. The detailed study of language leads, almost inevitably, to a consideration of the more fundamental problems of communication. Even though all save one of the novelists to whom this thesis is devoted use English as their creative medium, they do so in the consciousness of the fact that they are presenting a Nigerian experience, and the best of them reveal in their works a specific mode of the imagination which derives from their Nigerian background. It has therefore been necessary in all cases to examine closely the use of language by each novelist and try to assess how effectively the artist has communicated. Because of the historical and cultural environment of the Nigerian novelist considerable interest is taken in the influence which the mother tongue (LI) has had on the writer's English (L2). The thesis concludes by identifying the essential requirements for the establishment of a successful link between tradition and modern life: an important theme, a consistent imaginative scheme, a language which recognizes the characteristics of LI and skill in the use of language. Only works in which many of these conditions are fulfilled as, for example, in the novels of Achebe, Amadi, Okara and Aluko achieve satisfactory results. The link between tradition and modern life is valuable only if it widens satisfyingly our experience of what it is to be human and thus contributes to the solution of the political and social problems of the present
Adult binge drinking: rate, frequency and intensity in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
No full textBackground: Binge drinking (BD) is a significant risk factor for several acute and chronic illnesses, including injuries. This study examines the rate, frequency and intensity of BD in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), South Africa.Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 998 adults attending the three largest outpatient clinics in BCMM. Rate, frequency and intensity of BD were assessed using the WHO STEPwise questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out to determine the rate and determinants of binge drinking.Results: The overall rate of BD was 15.0%. Frequency and intensity of BD were 5.4 episodes per month and 13.4 drinks on one occasion, respectively. The study data showed that BD was commoner in males than females (24.0% vs. 10.8%). Smokers engage more in BD than non-smokers (44.0% vs. 9.9%). In the analysis of socio-demographic variables, BD was commonest among students, age group 18–25 years, those never married and those on incomes between 2001 and 5000 Rand per month. In the multivariate logistic regression, after adjusting for confounders, only age less than 25 years (p < 0.001) and male gender (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of binge drinking. Also, male gender (p = 0.002) was significantly associated with frequency of BD. There was no significant gender variation in the intensity of BD. Only age and smoking were significantly associated with the intensity of BD.Conclusion: The rate of binge drinking was high among the study participants, and those who binge drink tend to do so frequently and at a high intensity. Women who binge drink also do so at a high intensity. There is a need for sensitisation campaigns and health advocacy talks on the dangers associated with binge drinking among young adults in this setting.Keywords: Binge drinking, Buffalo City, frequency, intensity, rate, South Afric
Central obesity and normal-weight central obesity among adults attending healthcare facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa: a cross-sectional study
No full textAbstract Background Central obesity (CO) confers a significant threat on the cardio-metabolic health of individuals, independently of overall obesity. Disparities in the measures of fat distribution lead to misclassification of individuals who are at risk of cardio-metabolic diseases. This study sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of central obesity and normal-weight central obesity among adults attending selected healthcare facilities in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), South Africa, assess their health risk and examine the association between central obesity and cardio-metabolic diseases among adults with normal weight, measured by body mass index (BMI). Methods A cross-sectional survey of 998 adults was carried out at the three largest outpatient clinics in BCMM. Overall and central obesity were assessed using BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHTR). The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used for data collection. Blood pressure and blood glucose were measured. Normal-weight central obesity was defined as CO among individuals with normal weight, as assessed by BMI. Health risk levels were assessed using the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) BMI-WC composite index. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the prevalence of CO, normal-weight central obesity and the predictors of CO. Results The mean age of participants was 42.6 (± 16.5) years. The prevalence of CO was 67.0, 58.0 and 71.0% by WC, WHR and WHTR, respectively. The prevalence of normal-weight central obesity was 26.9, 36.9 and 29.5% by WC, WHR and WHTR, respectively. About 41% of the participants had a very high health risk, 13% had increased risk or high risk and 33% had no health risk. Central obesity was significantly associated with hypertension but not associated with diabetes among those with normal weight (by BMI). Female sex, age over 30 years, marriage, secondary or tertiary level of education, non-smoking status, diabetes and hypertension significantly predicted central obesity among the study participants. Conclusion The prevalence of central obesity among the study participants is high, irrespective of the defining criteria. One in three adults of normal weight had central obesity. Body mass index should therefore not be used alone for clinical assessment by healthcare workers in the study setting
HIV/AIDS and immigrants: knowledge and perceptions of Eastern African refugees in metropolitan Atlanta., 2008
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge and perceptions of Eastern African refugees regarding HIV/AIDS and its interventions in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia. The study was guided by the following research questions 1) What did Eastern African refugees know about HIV/AIDS and its importance? 2) How did Eastern African refugees and their families learn about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment? 3) How did Eastern African refugees perceive HIV/AIDS and those suffering from HIV/AIDS in their families and communities? 4) What were the perceptions of Eastern African refugees regarding participation in the interventions offered by public and private organizations? Study participants were refugees from Somalia and southern Sudan who had settled in metropolitan Atlanta The sample of 80 participants was selected based on age, immigration status, and willingness to share information about sex and sexuality. To collect data, the researcher used a structured survey instrument that was administered in a face-to-face interview format with the 80 participants. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of participant responses were conducted Six themes emerged from the qualitative analysis, namely: Knowledge, Openness, Stigma, Attitude, Willingness, and Trust. Participants indicated basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS and its transmission. They also exhibited openness in discussing HIVIAIDS. However, participant responses manifested strong stigma against HIV/AIDS and its victims. Participants who had lived longer in the United States showed negative attitudes towards HIV/AIDS treatment, the healthcare system, and service providers. There was willingness to contribute towards HIV/AIDS interventions and community services. Participants exhibited mistrust towards health institutions, sources of HIV/AIDS information, and the context of the HIV/AIDS information. Results from the quantitative analysis indicated a strong and positive correlation between knowledge and openness Stigma against HIV/AIDS disease and victims was strongly correlated with knowledge, openness, and attitude. Attitude positively correlated with openness and with knowledge, while trust was moderately correlated to knowledge. The study findings confirm previous research among similar populations that reported limited knowledge of HIV/AIDS, entrenched stigma about the disease and its victims, negative attitudes and mistrust towards health institutions and service providers as well as the potency of the duration factor regarding immigrants resettlement process
Bivariate analysis showing association between patient characteristics and diabetes knowledge.
No full textBivariate analysis showing association between patient characteristics and diabetes knowledge.</p
