The effect of learning Based – Blackboard System in improving students’ performance in learning English (Published)
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of learning Based on the Blackboard System in improving students’ performance in learning English in the department of English at Al- jouf University in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A group of 60 female students of the university participated in a quasi-experimental study for approximately eight weeks. The experimental group learned English from the two carefully selected with Blackboard system discussion board and virtual classes, while the control group learned English through activity-based lessons. A pre-test and post-test were conducted in the first and eight weeks. The findings indicate that the experimental group outperformed the control group statistically in the post-test. The students in the experimental group generally preferred learned English supplemented with Blackboard application discussion board and virtual classes to conventional activity- bases lessons. The teachers believed highly of the Blackboard system–based instruction virtual classes and discussion board, but they expressed concern that extra support was required if the virtual classes and discussion board were adopted as a core part of the teaching and learning process.
Keywords: Blackboard system, Learning English, Students performance
Problematic Co-Existence of English Language and Nigerian Pidgin (Published)
The English language is the language of formal education in Nigeria. For some time now, students’ performance in the language at public examinations has been very unsatisfactory to the stakeholders in education. A linguistic problem is one crucial contributing factor. The research methodology combines two data gathering instruments: the questionnaire and examination of respondents’ written essay. The paper discovers that Nigerian pidgin is a linguistic force to reckon with as its co-existence with the all important English language requires a clinical attention by all: especially; the government, curriculum developers and teachers. Those who formulate policy on education would need to plan for the Nigerian pidgin, not only in order to arrest the ever sliding performance of students in English language, but also to improve it.
Keywords: English Language, Formal education, Nigerian pidgin, Students performance, co-existence, linguistic problem