MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

Review

Diversity and complexity in the classroom: valuing racial and cultural diversity

Pierre du Plessis and Tom Bisschoff

Abstract: From a diversity perspective, all students should receive an education that continuously affirms human diversity – one that embraces the history and culture of all racial groups and that teaches people of colour to take change of their own destinies. With regards to teaching, a diversity perspective assumes that teachers will hold high expectations for all students and that they will challenge these students who are trapped in the cycle of poverty and despair to rise above it. Individual teachers in individual classrooms play an important role in providing equity of opportunity to learn and in ameliorating racism, but more comprehensive conceptions of diversity education capture the school’s crucial role as well. This article wants to address diversity in the classroom and how racial and cultural diversity are valued and what can be done to improve it.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Diversity, learning styles, academic culture, collaborative learning.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Short Communication

Effects of test format, self concept and anxiety on item response changing behaviour

E. R. I. Afolabi

Abstract: The study examined the effects of item format, self -concept and anxiety on response changing behaviour. Four hundred undergraduate students who offered a counseling psychology course in a Nigerian university participated in the study. Students’ answers in multiple – choice and true – false formats of an achievement test were observed for response changes. Results indicated that more changes were made in true-false than in multiple-choice test items, and students having moderate trait anxiety made significantly more changes than those having low or high trait anxiety. Academic and general self concept was not found to have significant influence on response changing behaviour.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Test format, Self-concept, Trait anxiety, State anxiety, Response changing, test scores.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Strategic improvement of mathematical problem-solving performance of secondary school students using procedural and conceptual learning strategies

Adeleke M. A

Abstract: The paper examined the possibility of finding out if improvements in students’ problem solving perfor-mance in simultaneous linear equation will be recorded with the use of procedural and conceptual learning strategies and in addition to find out which of the strategies will be more effective. The study adopted a pretest, post test control group design. A total of 166 science students drawn from four schools in four local government Areas in Osun state of south-western Nigeria were involved in the study. The students were in Senior Secondary Class Two. These students were assigned to four groups of Conceptual Learning Strategy (CLS), Procedural Learning Strategy (PLS) and Conventional Method (CM) while the fourth group was not taught at all. The first two groups were the experimental groups and the control groups were the last two groups. Treatment was administered for a period of eight weeks. A mathematical achievement test was used as pretest and posttest after validation and was found to have reliability coefficient of 0.76 and item difficulty level ranging between 0.42 and 0.46. Three mathematics teachers who were university graduates were engaged to administer the treatment. The study recorded a significant difference between the problem-solving performance of students in the CLS group and those in the CM group (X1=30.71, X2 = 15.66, df =78, t = 16.56, p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Procedural Learning Strategy,conceptual learning strategy, mathematimatical problem-solving performance.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Access to basic education in Kenya: inherent concerns

Achoka, J. S. K., Stephen O. Odebero, Julius K. Maiyo and Ndiku J. Mualuko

Abstract: Basic education being the minimum education that every Kenyan must have for progressive existence in society is a crucial factor. That is why Kenya subscribes to the international protocol that established Education for All (EFA) in Jomtien, Thailand 1990 and the world education forum in Dakar, Senegal, 2000. Since then, the Kenya Government in her Education Sector Strategic Plan and Sessional paper No. 1 of 2005 has articulated how to attain goals for education. For instance early childhood education which tries to ensure development of the whole personality of the child’s physical, mental, and socio-emotional attributes faces challenges such as lack of access to early childhood education mostly caused by poverty, regional and gender disparities, policy framework, and HIV/AIDS among others. At primary school level where children stay longest in the schooling years and they develop more motor skill, further cognitive skills along with higher socialization than the early childhood education level, has children failing to access education due to poverty, gender imbalances, regional imbalances among other concerns. Secondary education which creates a human resource base higher than the primary education along with training youth for further education and the world of work registers restriction to many children due to concerns of poverty, gender imbalances, insecurity regional disparity among others. This article articulates in detail the above concerns discussing their manifestations in Kenya. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made on how to improve access to basic education in Kenya. Among the recommendations are: To make basic education free and compulsory, improve provision of health services, intensify fight against demeaning cultures, give special attention to children with disabilities, avail employment opportunities to the youth, assure security to all in conflict prone zones and tighten bursary disbursement procedures.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Basic education, access.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Coping: A critical mediating factor of stress among athletes in West African universities

Olufemi Adegbola Adegbesan

Abstract: This study examined coping, which is regarded as a critical mediating factor of stress among athletes in some West African universities using the ways of coping in sport sub-scales of problem focused coping; seeking social support general emotionality, increased effort and resolve, detachment, denial, wishful thinking and emphasising the positive. The descriptive survey research design was used in this study. A 4-point likert type questionnaire of ways of coping with sport with reliability coefficient of r =.87 was used to collect data from 587 participants selected for the study. Their mean age was 24.04 ± 3.62SD. The t-test analysis revealed a significant difference (P[...] Read More.

Keywords: Coping, athletes, stress, sport groups, West African Universities

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Educational problems associated with abdominal ultrasonography for pediatricians in Japan

Ko Ichihashi,* and Mariko Momoi

Abstract: In this study, we examined how pediatricians use abdominal ultrasonography and the educational problems associated with this technique for pediatricians in Japan. A simple questionnaire was distributed at the 2004 prefectural meetings of the Ibaraki and Tochigi chapters of the Japan Pediatric Society. Of the pediatricians who replied to the questionnaire, 38, 47 and 14% reported using abdominal ultrasonography often, sometimes, and never, respectively. Forty-two percent of those who use abdominal ultrasonography perform the procedure themselves; the rates were high among respondents in their thirties and forties, and the rates were highest in private practice and lowest in university hospitals and children’s hospitals. Intussusception, fatty liver, and hydronephrosis can be diagnosed by the pediatricians themselves, while diagnoses of appendicitis and diseases of the reproductive system are difficult. Fifty- eight percent of the pediatricians who do not perform abdominal ultrasonography themselves had no chance to learn how to use the technique. The pediatricians wish to learn abdominal ultrasound from publications, seminars, and guidance by specialists. New trials of publications and seminars are currently ongoing and the development of a system to facilitate learning from specialists is needed.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Education, pediatrician, ultrasonography.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Review

Information and communication technology as synergy for sourcing distance education: the feasibility in Cameroon education system

Anja, Simon Ngwo

Abstract: The concept of distance education or learning is not new but welcoming in Cameroon especially with the advances in information and communication technology as the synergy for sourcing it. Information as the lifeblood of organisations is knowledge, intelligence or education while information technology is essentially the computerised or electronic technology as opposed to communication, which is thought of in terms of: media or skills of and organisation of communications. Both information and communication technology however, facilitate the feasibility of distance education or learning. This paper, therefore aims at prying (examining): the win on distance education, the role of information and communication technology as synergy for sourcing distance learning; the modes of delivering the curricula, which include: the face-to-face contact; electronic-print media; library and Internet, and the implications for Cameroon/education. Finally this paper ends up with conclusion and some recommendations made: that if not all the modes, the print media should be used to facilitate distance education or learning in Cameroon.[...] Read More.

Keywords:

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Review

Upper mantle velocity structure in the NW Himalaya: Hindu Kush to Garhwal region from travel time studies of deep Hindu Kush earthquakes

Sushil Kumar*, R. Chander and K. N. Khattri

Abstract: The 22 Hindu Kush earthquakes had focal depths in the range of 50 to 245 km approximately. The 154 P travel time readings obtained from them were interpreted using a computer program based on least squared inversion and written specifically for the purpose. The upper mantle P- wave velocity along the north-west Himalaya obtained from this study has a value of 8.1 km/s. It appear to persist up to a depth of about 100 km below that level, it appears to increase to 8.35 km/s. The upper mantle P- wave velocity is found to be comparable to that obtained along a DSS profile in Kashmir. However, it is lower by 0.35 km/s from the value estimated by Ni and Barazangi in 1982.[...] Read More.

Keywords: NW Himalaya, P travel time, upper mantle structure, Hindu Kush to Garhwal Himalaya.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Equity in the distribution of bursary to secondary school students in Busia district, Kenya

Stephen O. Odebero, Anthony K. Sang, Joseph N. Bosire and Lucas A. Othuon

Abstract: This study sought to find out the opinion of the head teachers on equity of the established criteria in bursary support for the needy. It was done in the District’s 27 secondary schools with the total student enrolment of 5780. All the 190 students (3.3% of the total enrolment) who had received bursaries from 1999 - 2002 in the district were included in the study. Another saturated sample of 27 head teachers was included in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview schedules and document analysis. The study used Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients to measure equity in bursary distribution. Findings show that bursary allocations in the district were inequitably distributed for all the years studied. It further reveals that the bursary award criteria were largely not effective in identifying and benefiting the most needy students. It recommended that there is need to review the criteria for the selection of the students with financial need. The study further recommends mounting of workshops and seminars for stakeholders to educate those in charge of disbursements on key items within the disbursement process so as to eliminate ambiguities in the criteria.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Access to secondary school education, equity, bursary, Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Statistical relationship between the performance of students in shorthand and typing: case study of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria

Eddy, E. N and Akpan, E. E

Abstract: Comparative study of the relationship between the performance of students in shorthand and typing was conducted by statistical analysis of results of 84 students of secretarial studies in Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic. The analysis shows that there was no significant difference between the performances of students in typing and shorthand (t = 0.38333, n = 84, = 0.05). Correlation between the two set of results was positive and significant (r = 0.54480, n = 84, =0.05). Effect size of d = 1.3 was obtained. The performance of students in typing has been found to be related to the performance of students in shorthand.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Student’s performance, shorthand and typing, statistical relationship.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Emerging trends in management education in international business schools

Faisal Manzoor Arain* and Syed Awais Ahmad Tipu

Abstract: The management education plays an essential role in today’s dynamic business environment. The rapid trend of globalization and technological changes have made difficult for organizations to survive in the competitive world. As a result the importance of management education has been increased many folds. Business executives need to update their skills due to sudden changes in the external environment. Due to the increasingly complex nature of organizations and businesses, there is a need that the business schools impart relevant, current, and cutting edge knowledge to the students. This research attempts to compare the course offerings in 8 international business schools. A total of 946 courses were reviewed in order to identify the common courses. The research also identifies some of the emerging areas in the business and management education. A comparison of the core courses along with the areas of concentrations/majors is also presented. Given the significance of management education which is essential for today’s organizations, the business as well as engineering schools should play pivotal role in equipping our future managers with the emerging trends of management skills to face the challenges of dynamic business world. This research will help the business schools particularly in the developing world to understand the emerging trends in management education and update their MBA curricula to come at par with the international standards of business education. This paper sets the foundation for future research focusing on improving management curricula for business schools in developing countries based on the international trends in business education.[...] Read More.

Keywords: MBA, business, management, education, international, developing countries.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Review

Addressing urban high-poverty school teacher attrition by addressing urban high-poverty school teacher retention: why effective teachers persevere

Sueanne E. McKinney*, Robert Q. Berry, Daniel L. Dickerson and Gloria Campbell-Whately

Abstract: Recruiting and retaining quality teachers specific for high -poverty schools in urban areas is a national concern, especially in light of the “No Child Left Behind” federal legislation. The educational realities, detrimental effects of poverty, and human despair that often depress low- income communities can prove to be quite overpowering for many teachers new to the profession and significantly contribute to high levels of teacher absenteeism, attrition rates, and teacher shortages. Examining this issue through a new lens, that being through the eyes of effective urban high- poverty school educators, has the potential to spark spirited conversations and debates among policy makers and educators alike so that significant polices and efforts can be developed and implemented. Therefore, the intent of this study was to develop a profile of high-quality educators who remain in urban high-poverty schools within a large metropolitan school district, and identify the indicators that influence them to remain. The results indicated that teachers who are African American, older, and more experienced define the profile of teachers most likely to remain beyond the first three years in this demanding setting. Additionally, these teachers reported that they remain because they believe they are well suited for teaching in high-poverty schools. Unless more attention is given to teacher retention, and why some educators are successful and persevere in even the most hard-to-staff schools, teacher attrition will continue to be a national concern.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Urban Teaching, teacher retention, teacher recruitment.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Using new technologies in creating excitement in biology laboratory activities

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: This research examined a program of concurrent high school-university studies aimed at promoting students living in underprivileged areas to continue on to higher education. High school students attended university once a week for learning enrichment or participating in full academic courses. Data were collected through interviews and documented meetings with students and their parents, university lecturers, and school staff. The high -achieving students were primarily interested in learning advanced topics in the exact sciences; formal rewards such as raising their probability of being accepted to the university after graduating from high school or credit for future studies at the university were of second priority. The low -achieving students perceived the program as being a window of opportunity to higher education; they truly enjoyed the courses that were anchored in their life contexts, for example, Medicine, Law, and Economics. The most successful courses were those that consisted of class activities, group work or projects, rather than the delivery of content by the teacher. Two principal factors influence the success of a concurrent high school-university studies program: close cooperation between the school and the university in designing courses that match the needs of students from a wide spectrum of scholastic achievements; and close supervision by the school of the students studying at the university and the provision of adequate support in case of difficulties. Keywords: Access to higher education, high school-university cooperation.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Access to higher education, high school-university cooperation.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Developing a knowledge exchange tool for school-based health policies and programs

Lynn Planinac*, Scott T. Leatherdale, Steve R. Manske and Meghan Arbour

Abstract: Youth smoking and physical inactivity are significant public health issues, with implications for both health and education stakeholders, as school-based policies and programs have the potential to reach a broad population of youth to address these issues. Knowledge exchange tools designed around comprehensive school-level data collection systems allow for dissemination of evidence into such policies and programs. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the process of developing knowledge exchange feedback reports for school-based health policies and programs, using the School Health Action, Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES) data collection system. SHAPES-Ontario is a project that utilized the SHAPES research platform to collect student -level behavioural data and school-level policy and programs data on tobacco and physical activity in 81 secondary schools across Ontario, Canada. Methods used to develop the feedback reports involved categorizing and scoring survey response options based on extensive research evidence and expert feedback. Feedback report scores were aggregated into overall grades and presented in a short and long version of a feedback report for school administrators. These reports present prime examples of how to use the principles of knowledge exchange in developing a tool to bridge the gap between research and practice. Keywords: Secondary schools, health policies, tobacco, smoking, physical activity.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Secondary schools, health policies, tobacco, smoking, physical activity.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Interaction and survival analysis of graduation data

Justin R. Chimka* and Lauren Holloway Lowe

Abstract: This is the second in a series of articles describing ongoing research that involves studying engineering college student graduation using Cox proportional hazards models. The first article, called "Proportional hazards models of graduation," was based on main effects models of graduation controlling for descriptors such as in -state residence, hometown population, and student major. This second article attends to first-order interaction terms between pairs of previously considered main effects. Survival analysis of graduation data here suggests significance of standardized math scores, and English and Science ACT scores, under certain circumstances that might not have been discovered without the examination of interaction.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Graduation, proportional hazards, retention, survival analysis.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Effects of competitive and cooperative learning strategies on academic performance of Nigerian students in mathematics

E. B. Kolawole

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of the cooperative and competitive learning on academic performance of students in mathematics in order to find out which one of them is the more effective learning strategy. The sample of the study was 400 Senior Secondary Schools III, Mathematics students made up of 240 boys and 160 girls randomly selected from four out of five States in South West Nigeria. Quasi experimental design was adopted for the study. Two instruments were used namely Mathematics Pre-Test Achievement Test (PTAT) and Post-Test Achievement Test (PAT) to collect data. The data collected in this study were subjected to Z-test analysis at = 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that cooperative learning strategy is more effective than competitive learning strategy and that boys performed significantly better than girls in both learning strategies. Based on the findings, cooperative learning strategy should be introduced in our secondary schools in Nigeria.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Mathematics, Senior Secondary Schools, Nigeria Cooperative, Competitive, Learning strategies and performance

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Examining US college studentsâ€™ attitudes towards science: Learning from non-science majors

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: This study examined college students’ attitudes towards science in a course designed with Science Education for New Civic Engagement and Responsibilities (SENCER) ideals. SENCER uses socially engaging issues to teach basic science to non-science majors. A combination of methods was used to measure changes in attitudes (confidence and interest) and scientific literacy after completing this SENCER course. While a pre/posttest showed a significant increase in knowledge about biological concepts, the study revealed no significant change in confidence or interest in science in general as measured by the SENCER Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) survey. However, a second instrument, the Biology Attitude Scale, demonstrated a significant increase in positive attitudes towards biology in particular. The case study data (including a content analysis of online reflective questions and semi-structured interviews) revealed that students’ confidence in science remained the same during the semester even though their interest may have increased. This suggests that an increase in both variables (confidence and interest) simultaneously may not be needed in order to increase scientific literacy. These results have implications for college science teachers designing courses for non-science majors. Keywords: Science education, non-science majors, scientific literacy, interdisciplinary courses.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Science education, non-science majors, scientific literacy, interdisciplinary courses.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

The crisis of student discipline in Botswana schools: an impact of culturally conflicting disciplinary strategies

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: Although student discipline had existed since the beginning of mankind, the disciplinary methods employed have changed over the years, giving rise to culturally irrelevant disciplinary strategies. This study explored teachers’ views about approaches to discipline experienced in Botswana schools in terms of policy and practice. In particular, the study sought for information on teachers’ day-to-day experiences and their views with regard to the implementation of student discipline regulations. Twenty teachers, who have been in the field for at least eight years, were interviewed once. Interview proceedings were recorded and later transcribed verbatim. The study showed that teachers feel disempowered by schools’ discipline regulations, and that students take advantage of such regulations to undermine teachers’ authority. Based on the premise that discipline approaches are culturally conceptualized and negotiated, the paper argues that student discipline has grown into an epidemic in Botswana schools because culturally inappropriate approaches are employed. Recommendations as to how the problem could be curbed are discussed and suggestions for further studies are made.[...] Read More.

Keywords: student, discipline and regulations.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Enhancing quality assurance through teachersâ€™ effectiveness

Full Length Research Paper

Abstract: There is the tendency to think that factors of teachers’ effectiveness could be defined in terms of teacher characteristics, his experiences, his cognitive and affective properties, the conditions to which he has to adjust and the characteristics of the school, classroom and student. Although each of these characteristics may contribute to teacher’s success, they are not the substance of effective teaching. A proper conceptualization of teaching and teacher’s effectiveness as a yardstick for quality assurance is necessary for a better understanding of what makes a teacher to be effective. It is believed that observational techniques as a strategy could go a long way in making teacher to be effective. This explains why this paper examined how to enhance quality assurance through teacher’s effectiveness. To achieve this, one hundred primary school teachers were personally observed in their classes for a period of 30 minutes each. The instrument employed was tagged classroom interaction sheet (CIS) which consisted of seven categories (A – G) .Two research hypotheses were postulated and t-test and ANOVA statistical analyses were employed. The results indicated variance in the behavioural categories observed. The observational techniques as a means of enhancing quality assurance therefore are advocated for further studies.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Quality assurance, teachers’ effectiveness.

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

Investigating the invariance of item difficulty parameter estimates based on CTT and IRT

O.O. Adedoyin*, H. J.Nenty and B Chilisa

Abstract: This is a quantitative empirical research study validating the invariance of item difficulty parameters estimates based on the two competing measurement frameworks, the classical test theory (CTT) and the item response theory (IRT) . In order to achieve the set goal, one fifty five (155) different independent samples were drawn from the population of students (35,262) who sat for the 2004 Paper 1 Botswana Junior Secondary School Certificate in Mathematics. These samples were selected based on gender, gender by educational regions, ability groups, and educational regions). The item difficulty parameter estimates from CTT and IRT were tested for invariance using repeated measure ANOVA at 0.05 significant levels. The study focussed on two research questions which were: (i) which of the two test theories CTT or IRT item difficulty parameter estimates vary across different samples of persons? And (ii) which of the two test theories CTT or IRT item difficulty parameter estimates vary across sample sizes? These research questions were answered through testing of hypothesis derived from each research questions. The research findings were that the item difficulty parameter estimates based on CTT theoretical framework were variant across the different independent samples. The item difficulty parameter estimates based on IRT theoretical framework were invariant across the different independent groups and also the item difficulty parameter estimates for IRT were invariant across groups with varying sample sizes. Overall, the findings from this study discredited the CTT theoretical framework for its inability to produce item difficulty invariant parameter estimates.[...] Read More.

Keywords: CTT, IRT Invariance Item and person parameters

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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Research Article

The educational argumentation of the Hellenic political forces on special education in the 1913, 1929, 1964, and 1985 reforms

Sifis Bouzakis* and Eleni Berdousi

Abstract: In this paper we attempt to show the educational argumentation of the Greek liberal political forces with respect to special education within the reform attempts that were undertaken in 1913, 1929, 1964, and 1985. More specifically, we detect the concepts that prevailed in each of the three main phases through which special education in Greece passed over the period under examination: a) the rejection and repulsion phase, b) the humanitarian treatment phase, and c) the recognition and participation-on-equal-terms phase. Finally, an attempt is made to interpret those perceptions of the liberal politicians regarding special education that dominated each time as viewed within the national-ideological framework that formulated them.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Special Education in Greece

2019, 7(1), 1-6;

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