Readiness of Undergraduate Students for Distributed Learning in Selected Higher Educational Institutions in Southern Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated the level of readiness of undergraduate students for Distributed Learning. Descriptive survey method of the cross-sectional research design was used for the study. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample of 600 from the population of 39,316 undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt and the Port Harcourt study center of the National Open University of Nigeria. A self-assessment instrument, Distributed learning Readiness Instrument (DLRI), developed by the researcher was used to collect data from the sample. The reliability of the instrument was determined through the test-retest method and a reliability coefficient of 0.77 was obtained. Three experts in the field of Educational Technology and two in Measurement and Evaluation confirmed the face and content validity of the instrument. Six research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while six hypotheses were tested with t-test and one-way ANOVA at 0.05significance level. The results showed that Distance and Part-time students had higher level of readiness than Full-time and Sandwich students. Also, there were significant differences found on modes of study, gender, age and course of study. The conclusion is that there is inequity in the readiness of students for e-Learning. The use of readiness assessment, orientation programmes, effective learner support were recommended.
Keywords: Communication Skills, Computer Skills, Internet skills, Motivation, Self-Efficacy, Self-directed Learning, Study Skills, distributed learning, readiness
Predictors of Students’ Attitude towards Mathematics In Obio-Akpor Local Government Area Of Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated predictors of students’ attitude towards mathematics in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a correlational design. A sample of 350 senior secondary students was drawn from the population through stratified proportionate random sampling technique. The four instruments used for data collection were Mathematics Self-concept Questionnaire (MSCQ), Mathematics Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES), Teachers Competency Questionnaire (TCQ) and Attitude Towards Mathematics Inventory (ATMI) which were validated by experts in measurement and evaluation. The reliability coefficients of MSCQ, MSES, TCQ and ATMI were 0.75, 0.87, 0.80 and 0.85 respectively which were determined through Cronbach alpha technique for internal consistency of the instruments. Linear regression analysis was used to answer the research question while the t-test associated with the regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The results revealed that mathematics self-concept, mathematics self-efficacy and teachers’ competency significantly predicted students’ attitude towards mathematics. These results and their implications were discussed. Among other things, it was recommended that teachers and counsellors should enlighten the students more on mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy which will guide them in having positive attitude towards mathematics. Also mathematics teachers should continue to practice the use of different approaches and techniques in the teaching of mathematics concepts and principles
Keywords: Self-Concept, Self-Efficacy, Students’ attitude, teachers’ competencies and Mathematics
Learning, Self –Efficacy and Student Course Experience: Focus on Higher Education (Published)
This study is based on the research conducted at the Higher Institution. Every country in the world want to flourished economically, peacefully, educationally, socially, politically and after all a healthy educated population. The main purpose of this study is to seek academic understanding of the pivotal role which learning, self efficacy and student course experience play in accessing, learning, understanding student own perspective in viewing learning environment and courses in Higher Education field. This current study is based on quantitative analysis methodology. Research method used was cross sectional research method. Participants in this study were second year University of the Free State students (all participants were psychology students). Twenty five participants were invited on their availability (availability sample). Six male students and nineteen female students participated. The average age of the male participants was 24.3, whilst the female was 21.2. The value of this research is that it is multidisciplinary, and takes into account the plight of the student population learning experience and their psychological well-being “self efficacy” into consideration. A positive result concerning student perspective was positive it shall be reflected and discussed in detailed in the section of results and discussion in this same paper
Keywords: Higher Education, Learning, Self-Efficacy, Student Experience