Education

Navigating Through Ph.D Programmes: Experiences of Ghanaian Ph.D Graduates from Universities across the Globe (Published)

This research sought to examines the experiences of Ghanaian PhD graduates from various universities across the globe. A qualitative research model was therefore designed and used to explore factors that motivated the PhD graduates to pursue their programmes, challenges they faced in the course of their study, effects of these challenges on them and how they dealt with the challenges. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to select twenty participants for the study. The theoretical focus of the study was on human capital theory. The data was analysed using thematic approach. It emerged from the study that job placement and security, the academic environment, family aspiration and expectation, personal desire to stand out to be visible and availability of scholarships were factors that motivated Ghanaian PhD graduates to pursue their programmes. The findings also revealed that Ghanaian PhD graduates lost most of their acquaintances deliberately, missed their families and social life, and had difficulty managing supervisor/student relationship, battling with theories, data management and analysis. It became obvious that as part of PhD students orientation they should be made to understand that uncertainty, doubt, disappointments are parts of the PhD experience and they should not be derailed by those conditions. Universities running PhD programmes should provide counselling centres and programmes that are tailored towards the reduction of stress factors accompanying PhD programmes.

Keywords: Education, Ghanaian Ph.D, Ph.D Programmes, graduates

Conceptual Study of Value Curve in Knowledge Sharing of Organizational Training and Education (Published)

The knowledge sharing is the core of knowledge management in organizational training and education, but we pay few attentions to the value of knowledge sharing in the past. This research aims at some confuse idea related to knowledge sharing, then we propose more explicit knowledge value categorization, and infer the hypothesis of the value of knowledge owner curve. The main contribution of present study is to classify the value in knowledge sharing process into the knowledge value and knowledge owners’, and explaining what the value of organization increased is come from knowledge owner decrease, finally knowledge owner value can be divided into expert’s power value and the value of sharing will and ability. Put these two above values together, the knowledge owner value becomes a concave upward curve. It is to say the value of knowledge owner is under the influence of expert’s power and descend in the early stage, and then raising thereafter because this sharing will and ability are predicted to get applauses. The present study proposed related hypotheses, it still have to carry on some testing to verify in the future. However these hypotheses still show some new concept of value in the subject of the knowledge sharing currently, it enable us to find different thinking. We hope the results of present study can suggest a better way to encourage knowledge sharing according to different viewpoints of value of organizational training and education in the future.

Keywords: Education, Knowledge Sharing, Training, Value curve

Education for Sustainable Development in Nigeria and Other Developing Nations (Published)

This paper is a contribution to addressing the challenge of underdevelopment in Nigeria using the tool of education. The researcher looked at education for sustainable development in Nigeria as a developing country. In recent times, there has been a paradigm shift in defining development and the way it is practiced. This paradigm shift is what has resulted in the adoption of Sustainable Development (SD) as a concept. Sustainable Development was highlighted in the Brunttand Report, at the Stockholm Conference of 1972 and more recently, in Paris, France where over 169 countries adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a working document. All over Nigeria, there are rumours and evidence of failed leadership characterized by dwindling educational, economic, social and political fortunes. All these problems are as a result of the inability of the leadership to plan successfully for development using appropriate educational tools. It is the opinion here that, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) can function to educate, train and undertake research to contribute to the sustainable development of the Nigerian Society. For instance, such education can provide the citizens with skills, perspectives, values and knowledge to live sustainably in their communities. It can also produce leaders who manage the affairs of government and private sector industries to constitute the stake holders of sustainable development. To function properly in this regard, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) should grow from a variety of sources and be delivered through casual, informal, non-formal and formal strategies. In order to achieve these therefore, the paper recommends among other things that there should be a reorientation of existing education at all levels to include principles, skills, perspectives and values of sustainable development. That formal, non-formal informal and casual education for knowledge, attitude and skills for poverty alleviation and human development be promoted. 

Keywords: Developing Nations, Education, Nigeria, Sustainable Development

Education for the Realization of the Preferential Option for the Poor: Catholic Church Activities in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya (Published)

The present world is largely characterized by people who live in two opposite extremes; the extremely poor and the extremely rich. The challenge of poverty remains a major concern to governments and non-governmental organizations alike. Faith communities respond to poverty by looking to the teachings of Scripture to establish structures and actions that can liberate and empower the poor. The Roman Catholic Church’s commitment to empowering the poor is expressed in its social teaching and practices. Social amenities offered by the church range from provision of food, clothing, shelter, medical care and affordable quality education. Despite such initiatives on the part of the church, poverty is rife. Therefore, based on a study conducted in Uasin-Gishu County in Kenya, this paper examines the activities of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret in the realization of preferential option for poor students in secondary schools. The study adopted descriptive mixed methods cross-sectional design comprising qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The target population comprised pupils in all the fourteen Catholic-sponsored schools in the Diocese, their head teachers, as well as teachers offering guidance and counselling. A sample of 351 students, 9 head teachers, and 28 teachers were drawn from those schools. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting 24 key informants, 12 from Catholic Diocesan secretariat, 4 priests, 4 officials from the Ministry of Education in the County and 4 members of the management at Catholic University of Eastern Africa (Gaba Campus). Schools were selected using simple random sampling technique while teachers and diocesan education officials were purposively sampled. Kathuri and Pals formula was employed in sampling student population. Questionnaire and interview schedule were the main tools of data collection. Analysed data was presented using cumulative frequency tables, percentages and pie charts. The study established that there are activities that are organised from within the church. The Catholic Diocese of Eldoret manages five key programmes that support poor children in its sponsored schools. Most of them are donor-funded although efforts have been initiated to involve parishes in raising money to sustain them. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Diocese should explore ways through which continuity is seen in terms of funding. The study found that some projects that were supported by missionaries experience great challenges when the same donors leave. The findings of the study highlight practical strategies that the Catholic Church uses to assist poor children get education.

Keywords: Activities, Catholic Church, Education, Kenya, Poor, Preferential Option, Uasin-Gishu County

Education 2030: Social Implications on the Development of Secondary Education in Rivers State (Published)

Education has evolved over time in content and practice to meet the ever changing demands of society. With this, has come several goals with accompanying deadlines to ensure its’ execution as exemplified by the Education 2030 SDG 4 goal derived from the Incheon declaration. While this is a laudable goal, how well it will be executed in Nigeria is yet to be seen. This study seeks to establish the relationship between physical infrastructure and the actualization of this goal in Rivers State. The research used the sample survey method and questionnaires with a reliability coefficient of 0.68 as instruments for data collection. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of covariance, and the results indicate that there is a relationship between physical structure and the actual implementation of Education 2030 goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The researchers recommend partnerships between the educational sector and host communities to create a smooth channel of communication and collaboration.

Keywords: Development, Education, Social implication

Podcast versus Vodcast and Students’ Academic Achievement in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) A Research Course (Published)

This comparative study has compared the impact of two innovative pedagogical strategies, vodcast and podcast on academic achievement of undergraduate students taking ICT-in-Research, a course in Faculty of Education, University of Port-Harcourt. Ninety eight (98) of these undergraduates were randomly drawn from the Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology for the 2015/2016 academic session. Fifty two (52) and forty six (46) undergraduate students formed the podcast and vodcast categories respectively. The instrument was a post 20-item test with a reliability coefficient of 0.60, which was administered to the two categories. T-test statistics was the analytical tool used in testing the two hypotheses of the study. From the study, it was revealed that students taught using podcast had higher academic achievements than those taught using vodcast. Hence, the recommendation that educators in Faculty of Education, University of Port-Harcourt should mostly adopt podcasting strategy to support their students’ knowledge construction process

Keywords: And Pedagogical Strategies., Disruptive Innovation, Education, ICT, Podcast, Vodcast

Psychological and Educational Assessment of Children with Autism at Specialized Education Centers in Riyadh (Published)

The present study aims at identifying the assessment level of psychological and educational performance of children with autism disorder in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the extent of psychological and educational assessment according to dimensions of the psychological and educational assessment measurement prepared for this purpose. The study population consists of children with autism disorder in Saudi Arabia at the age category: (6-12) years. Sample of the study consists deliberately of children from autism centers in Riyadh, which are Prince Faisal’s Mother Centre, Alwaleed Center, Prince Nasser Center, and Riyadh Center. The study sample includes (74) autistic children. The study adopts an analytical descriptive method based on a field study. The tools utilized for data collection are a primary data questionnaire designed by the author and Scale of psychological and educational performance assessment for children with autism. The study resulted that the level of psychological and educational assessment of autistic children is little high. There are statistically significant differences in psychological and educational assessment at the following dimensions: cognitive, social, emotional, and receptive language in favor of 6-9-year children. There are statistically significant differences in psychological and educational assessment of children with autism due to gender. There is correlation between performance measurement of psychological and educational assessment with age, autism degree, and teacher’s experience years.

Keywords: Autism Disorder, Education, Educational Assessment, Psychology, children

Parental Variables and Expectations towards Public and Private Secondary Schools in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria (Published)

The study examined the attitude of parent and their expectations towards public and private secondary schools and factors affecting the choice of secondary schools for their wards. Three null hypotheses were raised to guide the study. The research design was a survey. The sample size was 1,000 parents, drawn through stratified random sampling technique. The bases for stratification were Senatorial Districts. Data collection was done through structured questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The findings showed significant differences among parents who had children in public and private secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the state government should support incentives that will transform the school plant into most conducive environment for academic activities. Similarly, proprietors of private schools should recruit professionally trained teachers for effective teaching and learning activities

Keywords: Education, Gender, Parental Variables Exceptions, Private, public

An Analysis Of Character Education Values In Non-Fiction Novel “Habibie Dan Ainun” Created By Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie And Its Advantages As Literature Reading For Senior High School In Medan, Indonesia (Published)

This study aims to determine the character education values in the novel Habibie dan Ainun by Bacharudin Jusuf Habibie and its advantages as a literature reading material in senior high school. Based on the research results that were conducted, there are 18 values of character education based on the National Education System. The character education values include: character values relating to God, character values relating to self is honest, disciplined, independent, creative, curiosity, love reading, responsible, and hard working. Character values relating to others, character values relating to environment includes: tolerance, and love of the homeland.

Keywords: Education, Literature, character values, novel

Correlates of Dyscalculia and Learning Outcome in Mathematics among SSII Students in Obudu, Cross River State-Nigeria (Published)

Dyscalculia brings about different types of learning disorder which affects individuals (students) at various levels of learning. It enables the students, educators and guidance to determine inabilities, phobia, anxiety and develop compensatory mechanism for under developed areas. This paper deals with correlates of dyscalculia and learning outcome in Mathematics among SSII students in Obudu, C.R.S- Nigeria. Types of dyscalculia like; sequential, verbal, practognostic and operational dyscalculia are discussed. Tips on how to reduce dyscalculia are listed in the work. The survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 200 students was randomly drawn for the study. Data generated were subjected to statistical analysis using Pearson product moment correlation analysis at 0.05 level of significant. Results obtained show among others that dyscalculia significantly correlates with students learning in mathematics. Based on this it was recommended among others that students should engage in practice, extra-time, graphicalized their work and evaluate their work.

Keywords: Dyscalculia, Education, Learning, Mathematics, Nigeria, Students