Overview of Technology Use in Middle School Education (Published)
This paper gives an overview of technology use in middle school education. The paper provides a clear understanding of technology integration and educational technology. The paper answers the question of why to use the technology in middle schools. Moreover, it tells about the effective use of technological devices and the best teaching practices when it comes to technology. Finally, with all the advantages technology brings to middle school, the paper also highlights the disadvantages of using technology.
Keywords: Classroom, Education, Technology
Entrepreneurial Competencies Needed By Electrical/Electronic Graduates of Technology Education for Self-Employment in Enugu State (Published)
The objective of this study is to determine the entrepreneurial competencies required by electrical/electronics technology education graduates for self-employment in Enugu State. The study was necessitated because of the prevailing issue of unemployment among graduates of higher institutions which has become a thing of worry for all and sundry. Three purposes of the study with corresponding three research questions and a null hypothesis guided the study. A survey research design was used for the study. Population was 185 graduates of electrical/electronics (tech) education which comprises of 118 government employed and 67 self-employed graduates of the same programme in Enugu State. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire meticulously structured by the researcher which was made up of three sections according to the three research questions of the study. The questionnaire has a total number of 41 item statements structured in four point response categories of very highly needed, highly needed, slightly needed, and not needed with weighting values of 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. 185 copies of the questionnaire were administered to the respondents and collected back by the researcher. Mean with standard deviation was used to answer the three research questions of the study while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that ability to accommodate and plan for changes in technology among others are the managerial competencies needed for self-employment while skills to recitify faults among other findings are the technical/ICT competencies needed by graduates of electrical/electronics (tech) education for self-employment. Also, it was found that ability to take wise decisions based on the available facts and being honest to customers and employers among others are interpersonal competencies needed by the graduates for self-employment. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made which include, that education authorities and the government at all levels should create enough awareness about entrepreneurship education for onward eradication of the ailing problems of unemployment and abject poverty that abound in the country.
Keywords: Education, Electrical and Electronics Graduates, Entrepreneurial Competencies, Self-employment
Triangular Assessment Model: An Alternative Procedure for Assessing Higher Degree Research in Education in Nigeria (Published)
The aim of this paper is to provide an alternate procedure for assessing higher degree research in Education in Universities in Nigeria. The author therefore proposed Triangular Assessment Model (TAM) and considered it appropriate for assessing higher Degree Research in Education since it provides an opportunity for the external and internal examiners as well as the supervisor to score the higher Degree Research for certification at the ratio of 40%, 30% and 30% respectively. The Current method where the total power is vested on the External Examiner is out of phrase with valid assessment procedure which relies on the average scores from several scorers. In Triangular Assessment Model, each of them will independently complete their respective Forms. Three instruments (Forms) developed for these purpose are – Higher Degree Research Assessment Form (HDRAF) for External and Internal Examiners, having 82 items with reliability of .8264. Higher Degree Research Supervisor Assessment Form (HDRSAF) having 27 items with reliability of .8003 and Observation Form having 8 items with inter-rater reliability of .7924. The Model was considered appropriate and the forms are believed to provide verifiably data for certification of Higher Degrees in Nigeria.
Keywords: Academics, Education, Higher Degree, Nigeria Universities
Alternative Sources of Financing Secondary Education in Ebonyi State by the School Administrators (Published)
In discussing this topic, Ocho (2005) defined education and the need for education. Okanamiri (2002) also defined education financing as a branch of knowledge that deals with important examination of the cost and expenditure in the production of education services. Various alternative sources of financing secondary education according to various authorities were explained to include: PTA, proceeds from the school farm, Donations, Endowments, Community Involvement, Fund raising activities, Old Students Associations etc. Conclusion and recommendation were made
Keywords: Education, Finance, Secondary School
An Evaluation of Classroom Experiences of Basic Science Teachers in Secondary Schools in Ebonyi State of Nigeria (Published)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the Classroom Experiences of Basic Science Teachers in Context of Competencies and Opinions. Two instruments were developed and used for the study, the instructional skills performance level (ISPL) based on five-point performance scale and questionnaire. The two instruments were developed by the researcher and validated by 3 specialists in Science Education, one from measurement and evaluation and two from biology and Chemistry. The questionnaire was administered on 200 Basic Science Teachers randomly selected from Ebonyi State Junior Secondary schools. The questionnaire was divided into 2 sections. Section I contains all the variables. Section II contains a 10-point item scale constructed by the researcher seeking the opinions of basic Science Teachers. It also contains a list of 76 instructional materials used in teaching Basic Science. The Results showed that Basic Science teachers seem to have a title performance level in classroom management and students participations and in evaluation/summary. They performed averagely in the remaining 3 instructional skills; it was also found that most teachers who teach Basic Science used lecture and demonstration method in teaching. Based on the findings, recommendations were made.
Keywords: Classroom Experience, Education, Nigeria, Secondary, Teachers
Social Studies Education and the Need for Value-Based Education in Nigeria (Published)
Values throughout the world are a universal concept. Nigeria as a pluralistic society is characterized by many goals and sets of values. The social, political, economic and religious institutions associated with this society are made up of many diverse groups. Each of these groups has its individual rules and values. The rules and values of these institutions very often conflict, yet many people continue to see the society as having a set of values. However, the conflict between the rules and values which characterize the various institutions in a given social framework collectively substantiate and constitute enough evidence as to the pluralistic nature of many modern societies ‘Nigeria’. Value-based education in Nigeria has been identified as the main condition for the growth and sustainable development of any nation of the world. With particular reference to these conflicting values in pluralistic society like ours Social Studies education has a critical role to play to actualize this dream. The paper therefore is beamed at exploring: the changing role of education and implication for values and versa, objectives of value-based education in the modern context, types of values, the role of Social Studies in inculcating value-based education, Social Studies education and spatial dimension of value-based education, Social Studies education and cognitive, and affective dimension of value-based education, Social Studies education and character based-education, Social Studies teacher’s function as a model for value development, the Nigerian core values and some recommendations were made.
Keywords: Education, Nigeria, Social Studies, Society, Value-Based Education
Saudi Arabia Educational Map- From Sand Dunes towards Western Skyscrapers Platforms (Published)
This paper explores the emergence of the concept of education and its ideological roots vis-s-vis Islamic principles and pedagogy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Hence, a general description of the Saudi Arabian educational system and a general account of how and when education was first introduced into the KSA is a necessary step to provide a complete picture the system of education and its rapid developments towards E-learning and/or distance learning status. In fact, all legal decisions within the Kingdom; however, are based on the Sharia Law-Islamic law as set forth by the Holy Qur’an, as stated in the Education Policy document. Therefore, according to Islamic studies constitute a major portion of the curriculum at the educational levels, and even science textbooks emphasize Islamic notions. This, in turn, may propose some obstacles in learning and teaching distance education from a Western ideological perspective. Therefore, the paper will lay out some of these hindrances and pedagogical implication in how to transition from traditional towards a more modern pedagogical education paradigm within the KSA.
Keywords: Education, Ideology, Islamic, Pedagogy, Policy Documents, Saudi Arabia, Western
Causes of Examination Malpractice in Nigeria Schools (Published)
This research study was carried out to investigate the cause of examination malpractice in Nigeria schools. The paper highlighted factors responsible for examination malpractice, students and their level of knowledge and skill acquisition, school facilities and environment, role of government agencies, supervisory role of school administration, political undertone and government insensitivity to educational needs, solution to examination malpractice in schools.
Keywords: Education, Examination Malpractices, Nigeria, School
Regulatory Challenges in the Upgrading and Maintenance of Standards in Teachers’ Professionalism in Nigeria (Published)
The compliance with minimum regulatory standards in the practice of teaching is bound to promote a competent, dedicated and productive classroom teacher for character molding and qualitative education. In Nigeria, issues of professionalization of teaching have continued to suffer from setbacks resulting to poor remuneration, low self-esteem and quackery in the teaching profession. This scenario negates the promotion and achievement of functional educational system at all levels. This paper examined the challenges militating against the attainment of minimum regulatory standards in teaching despite its pioneering effort as the mother of all professions. It adopted the exporatory approach to examine the various trend analysis and used the institutional framework design through secondary literature and observation to justapose the structures of teaching with other professional bodies. Based on the challenges,it recommended the institutionalization of a professional body for the upgrading, coordination and enforcement of minimum regulations to benefit members in raising the status of the teaching profession to meet global competiveness.
Keywords: Code, Education, Ethics, Membership, Profession, Quality, Regulation, Standard, Teacher
MARKETING EDUCATION FOR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL: THE CASE OF UNIVERSITY OF UYO (Published)
This paper views marketing education in two perspectives-as a practice whereby school-leavers exchange their knowledge and skills for money and secondly, as a practice whereby the entire educational institution like, the University of Uyo, exchanges/should exchange her stock of knowledge and skills to make more money. The paper concentrates more on the second perspective and highlights four strategies which the University of Uyo uses to source for more money. These include product diversification, discriminatory charging of students’, the use of multiple distribution channels and outright use of marketing promotion strategies, like advertising and appeal for support from the public. Education marketing is found to contribute greatly towards the internally-generated revenue (IGR) of the University of Uyo. Suggestions for greater strides in marketing by the university include setting up a distinct marketing management unit, experimenting on having cottage industries, especially for products that are of high demand by the employees like fuel; more involvement of the Alumni in fund generation, extending university services to artisans and finally, auditing the marketing outcomes and activities. The paper concludes that involvement in marketing is one sure way of stopping over-dependence on the government/proprietor for funds by higher educational institutions in Nigeria.
Keywords: Economic, Education, Marketing, Survival, marketing models, product models