Developing Dual Language Skills and Intercultural Communication Strategies in a Bilingual Learning Environment: Investigating a Project Based Learning Programme (Published)
This study investigated a project-based learning approach and explored developing bilingual language skills and enhanced intercultural communication within an existing Bilingual Learning Community. The study mainly looked at the increased importance of bilingualism and intercultural understanding needed to be successful in a global society. It investigated the effectiveness of using Project-based learning to promote these essential skills and competencies. The research used a mixed methods approach that integrated qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. The study took place in an international school setting in China within a bilingual learning community using English and Chinese, project-based learning, and STEM activities to enhance language proficiency and intercultural understanding. The qualitative component of the study involved interviews with various teachers involved in the Bilingual Learning Community study, and the specific students in the classes were analysed regarding their understanding of intercultural communication. Questionnaires gathered information about the teacher’s and student’s knowledge of the concepts. Observations and comprehensive notes were utilised, and natural interactions with students were encouraged so they could be observed under normal circumstances. The quantitative phase employed pre-and post-tests to measure the students’ language proficiency and focused explicitly on developing cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) skills. These tests also measured the student’s intercultural learning and competencies. The data collected was analysed using statistical methods. These statistical methods determined the effectiveness of Project-based Learning as a pedagogy to promote bilingual language acquisition and develop intercultural understanding and communication. The findings of this study contributed to the existing body of knowledge on bilingual learning communities, intercultural understanding, and Project-based learning. The study also significantly contributed to the theoretical scientific knowledge by creating a detailed framework with descriptors that related to bilingual language development for students and intercultural communication competence that other scholars could develop further. It was also expected to contribute significantly to applied scientific knowledge. It provided practical information about the students’ language skills, communicative behaviours, and difficulties when dealing with problems and will be helpful for teachers in China and abroad.
Keywords: Learning, Project, Teaching, bilingualism, interculturalism
The Use of Mother Tongue in Communicating Mathematics: Implication for Teaching and Learning of Mathematics (Published)
Mathematics as a school subject is designed to solve the everyday problem created by human activities; these problems are domesticated in the different cultures of man all over the world. However, the performance of students keeps dwindling due to the westernize approach of teaching and learning mathematics. In other to solve this precarious situation this paper advocated the use of mother tongue in the teaching of mathematics. Mother tongue approach here refers to first-language education as a medium of instruction. The use of mother tongue in the teaching and learning of mathematics is meant to address the high functional illiteracy of Nigeria where language plays a significant factor. Using mother tongue to teach the basic concepts of numbers, operations and other concepts of mathematics helps build a strong foundation for the understanding and learning of higher mathematics. This approach is effective not only in getting the interest of students in the lesson but as a springboard in teaching new mathematical concepts, principles and in deepening student understanding on how mathematical operations or processes work. The mother tongue concepts of teaching and learning mathematics in this work shall be based on the following sub-topics: Numeration/Counting System, Basic Arithmetic Operations, Rhymes and Geometric Concepts. The paper completely reduced the Eurocentric mathematics beliefs of students and make them discover how best mathematics can be learning from their mother tongue. The paper recommended amongst others that teachers of mathematics should adopt the use of mother tongue in teaching mathematics in order to improve students understanding of the subject.
Keywords: Learning, Mathematics, Mother tongue, School, Teaching
Higher-Order Thinking Skill-Based Learning In Islamic Religious Education Subject (Published)
The Indonesian curriculum is made so that students are able to compete at an international level. However, according to data from several survey institutions, Indonesian education is far behind compared to other countries. It is because the learning pattern is still carried out using the lower thinking skill (LOTS) model. There needs to be a change in the LOTS learning model to become learning based on high-order thinking skills (HOTS). Because of this, this study aims to examine the learning of Islam based on higher-order thinking in senior high schools in the city of Palu. This study uses a qualitative method. Data was collected through direct observation, in-depth interviews, and analysis of written documents in the form of student report cards. Interviews were conducted with school principals, Islamic religious education teachers, and several students. The results of the study show that HOTS-based learning plans in the subject of Islamic Religious Education are prepared based on basic competencies. Indicators of achieving student competence include learning objectives, learning steps based on learning models, and students’ cognitive and affective changes. The core learning activities are carried out with a scientific approach, character strengthening, and reflection activities both individually and in groups. Then the implementation of HOTS-based learning also consists of preliminary activities, core activities which include Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration), and closing activities. Meanwhile, HOTS-based learning evaluation is carried out with the criteria of measuring students’ high-level thinking skills based on contextual problems.
Citation: Ramang R., (2022) Higher-Order Thinking Skill-Based Learning in Islamic Religious Education Subject, British Journal of Education, Vol.11, Issue 1, 1-12
Keywords: HOTS, Higher order thinking skill, Islamic religious education, Learning
The Degree of Using Instructional Technology in Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Delta State, Nigeria (Published)
This work aimed to study the accessibility and use of educational technology for teaching mathematics in senior secondary schools in Delta State. Descriptive survey design was used in the work. 60 mathematics teachers in 30 secondary schools were the sample of the work; simple random technique was used to select them from the overall population of 75 secondary schools in Delta State. Two teachers’ questionnaire titled use and preventing factors mathematics questionnaire (r =0.77) were utilized to collect data. Simple percentage, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that there were laboratory equipment and audio educational technology but were not fully used; there were no audio visual technologies and were not used to teach mathematics. Also, lack of money, poor application law, demotivation etc prevented the delivery and use of educational materials for mathematics teaching. The study gave the recommendation that Mathematics teachers should use the educational technology that is available and government should provide enough money to procure educational technology.
Citation: Oliweh I.S., James, G.D. & Enebeli L. (2022) The Degree of Using Instructional Technology in Teaching and Learning Mathematics in Delta State, Nigeria, British Journal of Education, Vol.10, Issue 15, 27-36
Keywords: Achievement, Learning, Teaching, Technology, Utilization
Teaching Strategies Employed By Teachers for Improving Students’ Learning in Business Education in Secondary Schools in Delta State (Published)
Citation: Onajite, G. O. (2022) Teaching Strategies Employed By Teachers for Improving Students’ Learning in Business Education in Secondary Schools in Delta State, British Journal of Education, Vol.10, Issue 3, pp., 85-100
Abstract:This study investigated teaching strategies employed by teachers for improving students’ learning in Business Education in secondary schools in Delta State. Four research questions guided the study. The descriptive survey research design was employed in the study. Population of the study consisted of all the 2,100 teachers teaching business education subjects in the 448 secondary schools in Delta State. Sample size of the study comprised 630 business education teachers from 224 secondary schools in Delta State selected using stratified random sampling technique. A 40-item researchers’ self-developed questionnaire titled “Teaching Strategies employed by Teachers for Improving Student’s Learning in Business Education Questionnaire (TSTISLBEQ)” arranged into four clusters, and structured on 4-point scale. The research instrument was validated by three experts and reliability determined through a pilot test which yielded an internal consistency reliability value of 0.74. Data collected were analyzed using the mean score and standard deviation. The findings of this study revealed among others that the teachers mostly employed the direct teaching strategies. All the other teaching strategies like the experimental, material/visual aids, interactive and the independent teaching strategies were largely not employed by the teachers in teaching business education in secondary schools in Delta State. From the findings, recommendations were made which include and among them were that principals in the secondary schools should encourage and support the teachers to employ other direct teaching strategies such as seminars, individualized instruction method, peer tutoring, team teaching and sharing students into different reading groups for improving students’ learning in business education in secondary schools in Delta State.
Keywords: Business Education, Improving, Learning, Strategies., Students, Teachers, Teaching
Social Constructivism: Implications on Teaching and Learning (Published)
The purpose of this paper was to look at social constructivism as a learning theory and its implications on teaching methods, students’ learning motivation and the entire teaching/learning process. Social constructivism is a collaborative form of learning based on interaction, discussion and knowledge sharing among students. The teacher’s role is to employ teaching methods that that are learner centred and collaborative in nature. The underlying factor is that learners work together in groups sharing ideas, finding answers to problems or just creating something new to add to existing knowledge. This learning theory deemphasizes teacher-monotony in the classroom, but encourages active interaction among learners, the teacher and other components of the teaching learning process. It also concretizes learning and knowledge by making students retain the facts that they discover and construct by themselves than those they are told by the teacher among other benefits.
Keywords: Constructivism, Implications, Learning, Social, Teaching
Gender Metamorphoses in the Use of ICT Tools: A Case Study at Offinso College of Education (Published)
The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education cannot be overemphasized, hence teachers as agents of education are expected to acquire the essential skills to help train the 21st century child to survive in the current competitive and technologically driven world. The study aimed at the impact of ICT on Male and Female student-teachers in Colleges of Education in Ghana. The Mixed research design which takes into consideration the various factors that influence ICT access and usage in Colleges of Education was used. It outlines the various factors that militate against successful integration of ICT tools in teaching and learning. The extent to which student-teachers are embracing technology in their learning have been analysed. The study used questionnaire and participatory observation of classroom activities to collect data from hundred and forty (140) Student-teachers at Offinso College of Education. The findings show no significant difference in access and usage of ICT tools among male and female student-teachers. The study revealed lack of technical support and maintenance as a significant impediment to the development of ICT in the College of education. However, there was no significant difference in access and use of ICT tool since student-teachers share similar backgrounds.
Keywords: Education, Gender, Ghana, ICT, ICT tools, Learning, Student Teachers, Teaching, Technology
Mathematics Teachers’ Leadership Styles and Learning Motivation among Secondary School Students in Cross River State, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated Mathematics teachers’ leadership styles and learning motivation as perceived by secondary school students in Calabar Education Zone of Cross River State. The study utilized descriptive research design. Three research questions were asked to guide the study. Sample size was five hundred and ninety nine (599) SSII students randomly selected from 49 public secondary schools through stratified random sampling technique. Mathematics Teachers’ Leadership Styles and Learning Motivation Questionnaires (MTLSMQ) with reliability coefficient of 0.74 were used to gather data for the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression statistical technique. Result showed that there is significant positive relationship between teachers’ leadership styles and students learning motivation. Based on the findings, ,it was recommended among others that training programme on leadership and general attitude to work should be organized for mathematics teachers in particular and teachers in general. This will help them to realize that they are leaders in the classroom.
Keywords: Cross River, Leadership Style, Learning, Motivation, Students, Teacher
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
Impact of University Motivated Environment on Students Learning (Published)
Purpose: This research paper aims to examine the Impact of University Motivated Environment on Students Learning. Design/Methodology/Approach: Keeping in view the objectives the University Motivated Environment factors has been taken. The study sample of 300 students randomly selected from different departments of Albaha university. The use of the likert scale and a questionnaire containing 35 items related to the university motivated factors were used to measure the impact. Popular statistical T-test ANOVA was applied by using SPSS software highlighting more detailed findings of the study. Findings: The results shows that students are not satisfied with the university motivated learning environment because the services and support provided by the university related to Library, Computer, Parking, Cafeteria, Bus, Air Conditioning, Sports, Lab equipments, Cleanliness, Light, Guidelines, Track Complaints, Website, Internet Wi Fi environment, Training and placement, Update curriculum according to need of Industry, Scholarships, Sufficient number of staff to serve students, Recruiting staff according to the need of students, etc are not proper or given which affect students learning environment. Statistical analysis shows that Hypotheses is accepted in all cases. Originality/value – The value of this research is that the university will improve the services from which students are not satisfied.
Keywords: Environment, Impact, Learning, Motivation, Students, University