An Evaluation of the African Studies Curriculum: Student’s Motivation for Selection of Courses at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Ghana (Published)
The African Studies Curriculum at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has been implemented for over two decades. Its challenges include students’ motivations, cultural content, teaching methods, techniques and strategies. With a pragmatic worldview rooted in the Constructivist Learning Theory, the Self-Determination Theory (SDT), and the Expectancy-Value Theory, empirical literature within the domain of curriculum implementation in African Studies was critically reviewed. An explanatory sequential design within the mixed method approach was adopted, while the Krejcie and Morgan Table for sample size determination was employed to sample three hundred and seventy-five (375) students from a total of 12,009 first-year students offering African Studies courses in the 2022/23 academic year at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). Nine (9) students were purposively selected from the sample size of 375 for the qualitative data. Again, five (5) lecturers from the African Studies Centre of UEW were purposively selected for the study. Instruments for data collection included questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data analysis was done by using SPSS statistics analytical software. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the quantitative analysis, whilst thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. In the context of explanatory sequential mixed method design (QUAN → qual), a Directed Content Analysis (DCA) was employed. This approach aids in interpreting and explaining the quantitative results. Findings showed that even though students are motivated by a series of factors when selecting courses in the African Studies curriculum, they are influenced by external factors such as department, colleagues, and the popularity of the courses. It was concluded that some Departments choose specific courses based on relativity to their areas of specialism and future academic pursuits. It was recommended that, there is the need for course recommendation systems in physically-based university environments like the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana. This has become necessary since African Studies courses are mandatory to re-orient students’ misconceptions concerning the continent and carve a positive African image. Fresh students should be oriented to alleviate the misconceptions associated with course selection.
Keywords: African studies, Curriculum, Evaluation, Motivation, Students, course selection, university of education
Effectiveness of Implementing Active Learning Strategies in Enhancing EFL Learners’ Motivation, Attitudes, Aptitudes and Skills (Published)
This study aimed at investigating the effect of implementing active learning strategies in enhancing EFL learners’ motivation, attitudes, aptitudes and skills. To achieve the objective of this study, the researchers attempted to answer these questions: 1- What do the students in the English classroom need to learn? 2- Will the active learning strategies help students promoting their language skills? 3- Will the designed activities help maximizing students’ participation and interaction in the classroom? 4- To what extent do active learning strategies affect English learners’ performance in the English language? The researchers used the quasi- experimental approach. Two instruments were employed for data collection: a questionnaire besides a pre and post- test. (30) female English majors’ students of Arts Faculty-Shamli Branch -University of Hail, served as subjects for the study. The participants were distributed into two groups. The first group represented the control group of (15) students; while the second one represented the experimental one of (15) students. The active learning strategies were implemented in teaching the experimental group, and the traditional teaching method was utilized with the control group. A combination tests out of (25) questions, covered all skills (Reading, listening, writing and speaking.) was designed to be used as a pre and post- test. The data analysis of the post-test results showed that there were statistically significant differences between mean results of the experimental and the control group favoring the experimental group; Thus, the experimental group outperformed the control group. Consequently, the use of the active learning strategies proved to have a positive role and effect on EFL Learners’ Motivation, Attitudes, Aptitudes and Skills. In their responses to the questionnaires, they reported a very good and positive attitude towards learning English language through using active learning strategies.
Keywords: Classroom Interaction, EFL classroom, EL skills, Motivation, active learning strategies, collaborative active learning
The Impact of Training on Employees’ Work Performance, Motivation and Job Satisfaction: The Case of Integrated Data Services Limited (Idsl), Benin City (Published)
This study examines the impact of training on employees’ work performance. It sought answers to the following research questions; is there any relationship between training and development of employees and their job satisfaction? Is there any relationship between training and development of employees and their job performance? Is there any relationship between training and development of employees and their motivation? The scope of the study consists of 208 employees of Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), Benin City. Stratified random sampling was used in selecting the respondents for the study while questionnaire served as the data collection instrument. Research data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency tables, percentages, mean, standard deviation and standard error mean as well as the t-test for Equality of Means, which served as the inferential statistic. The research findings show that; i) There is a significant relationship between training and development of employees and their job satisfaction; (training enhances job satisfaction) ii) There is a significant relationship between training and development and their job performance and iii) There is a significant relationship between employee training and development and their motivation.
Keywords: Benin City, Motivation, Training, employees’ work performance, job satisfaction: integrated data services limited (idsl)
Impact of Employee Development Programs on Organizational Commitment in the Public Universities (Review Completed - Accepted)
Kenyan public universities needed an empirical study to guide them on how they should handle employee development programs of their non-teaching staff. Thus, this study sought to fill this empirical gap by finding out the effect of employee development programs on non-academic staff’s performance in Kenyan Public Universities.
This study adopted descriptive research design that involved a filed survey and questionnaires to collect data. It target 2174 respondents of non-teaching staff. Simple random and purposive sampling was used to select 327 employees as respondents from all the public universities. The study used SPSS to analyzed data
The study revealed that employee development and support influence performance in public universities but not to a large extend as indicated in R squared of 0.8 percent and 0.54 percent. The study recommends that Public Universities should use other motivational strategies and a well designed appraisal procedure to evaluate staff alongside staff development
Keywords: Employee Development, Motivation, Performance, Public Universities