| 1 |
Author(s):
Osuji Catherine U., Nkemjika Chika V..
Page No : 1-15
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Redefining Organizational Structure and Frameworks for Effective Implementation of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Tertiary Institutions in Rivers State
Abstract
The study was carried out to redefine organizational structure and frameworks for effective implementation of open and distance learning in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The population of the study was all school administrators (196) in the eight (8) tertiary institutions in Rivers State. The population was manageable, hence, census sampling techniques were used to employ all the population in the study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire which was titled “Redefining Organizational Structure and Frameworks for Effective implementation of Open and Distance Learning in Tertiary Institutions Rivers State”. The instrument was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. The reliability index of the instrument was 0.79. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyze responses that were gathered from the respondents. The study found that the ways of re-defining organizational structure of open and distance learning requires obedience to the rules of laws among members, centralization of power, encouraging limited span of control among others. Also it was found that organizational framework policies of open and distance learning were sub-grouped into academic, governance, faculty, collaboration, culture, legal, technical student support and national government. The study also found that societal demand, availability of resources (human, and material resource) among others are factors influencing the choice of organizational structure and framework. It was recommended that organizational structure and frameworks of open and distance learning should be carefully selected in such a way that it takes the form that will both give equal priority to both students who learn face-to-face and distance learners.
| 2 |
Author(s):
Ibiene Rowland Ogundu, Ezevunwo Obinachi Wori.
Page No : 16-33
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Pentecostalism and the Prosperity Gospel in Rivers State
Abstract
The prosperity gospel is a biblical ideology propagated by evangelicals or Pentecostals who equate faith with gains especially, financial success. Also, the Pentecostals view wealth and holiness as intrinsically connected and that the most effective and practical method of actualizing prosperity is by complying with the tenets of the gospel which advocates for unreserved giving, positive confession and unwavering faith. Opposing views of Pentecostal gospel, reveal a controlling gospel propagated for the sole gain of preachers. The study examined the concept of Pentecostalism and the prosperity gospel in Rivers State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The population of study comprised of fourteen (14) major Pentecostal churches and their branches operating in Rivers State. The study randomly selected seven pastors from each of the 14 Pentecostal churches and 298 church members as respondents. 396 copies of questionnaires were usable for the data analysis. A self-administered questionnaire (SAQ)was used on a five-point bipolar scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Also, personal interviews were carried out. Data collected was analysed using mean and standard deviation. The null hypotheses was tested using Z-test at P< 0.05 level of significance. The analysis was presented in tables based on the research questions posed. Based on the findings, the study concluded that there is no significant difference on the mean opinions of pastors and church members on the effect of prosperity gospel by Pentecostal churches in Rivers State. The study recommends that Rivers State Pentecostal Religious body (CAN, PFN), should set up policies guiding Pentecostal Churches especially, with regard to tithing, offerings among other contributions especially, at this time of economic hardship. The study also contributed to knowledge.
| 3 |
Author(s):
Benstowe Felicia Seledi.
Page No : 34-45
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Effect of Proper Placement During Internship on Office Technology and Management Education Students’ Acquisition of Model Office Technologies Skills in Federal College of Education (Tech.), Omoku, Rivers State
Abstract
This study examines the effect of proper placement during internship on office technology and management education (OTME) students’ acquisition of model office technologies skills in Federal College of Education (Tech.), Omoku, Rivers State. Two specific purposes, two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted for the study using a post-test, randomised group. The study population was made up of 41 OTME NCE I students during the 2018/2019 academic session. All the OTME NCE I students were used for the study and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group was properly placed in business centres where model office technologies can be found while the control group was allowed to select their internship place. A checklist titled “Model Office Technologies Utilization Skills Observational Checklist (MOTUSOC)’ was used for data collection. The list was validated by two experts, one of measurement and evaluation and the other of OTME. Test-retest method and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) to obtain the r-value of 0.90 for the instrument’s reliability. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean, grand mean and independent t-test to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings show a clear difference in the extent of model office technologies skills acquired by OTME students properly placed in business centres from those allowed to choose their place of attachment for their internship. There is also no difference in the extent of model office technologies skills acquired by male and female OTME students properly placed in business centres. The finding also show that there is a significant difference in the extent of model office technologies skills acquired by OTME students properly placed in business centres and those allowed to choose their place of attachment for their internship. There is also no significant difference in the extent of model office technologies skills acquired by male and female OTME students properly placed. Recommendation made among others is that OTME department should canvass for the need to appoint departmental based internship programme coordinators who would work with College based internship coordinator to achieve the proper placement of students in workplaces where they can acquire important office technologies utilization skills.
| 4 |
Author(s):
Peter C. Ekechukwu, Prof. S. D. Osaat.
Page No : 46-58
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Kidnapping in Nigeria: A Social Threat to Educational Institutions, Human Existence and Unity
Abstract
This paper examined the problem of kidnapping and its consequences in Nigeria. Kidnapping has the potential of creating social tension, psychological trauma (mental and emotional problems), insecurity, untimely death and others in the society. It has been observed and identified that kidnapping is not a new crime in Nigeria and other countries of the world. But the apparent problem of kidnapping is the current growth rate in all parts of the country and the benefits the perpetrators are deriving from this criminal activity. In this study, some challenges were identified. They include: poverty, unemployment, politics and religion. The mode of kidnappers' operations have been identified and its prevalence, apart from the causes attributed to the laxity in the implementation process to prosecute the offenders. As a result of these findings, it is suggested that the issue of ransom payment by the families/relatives of the victims to kidnappers should be seriously condemned. Government on their part, should endeavour to create employment for the teeming population of youths as this will help to reduce the proliferation of kidnappers. Security agents should be well equipped with sophisticated guns to wage war against kidnappers. This will no doubt help to restore peace and security in the country.
| 5 |
Author(s):
Moses Ebimuna.
Page No : 59-75
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School Plant Maintenance and Students Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State
Abstract
This study investigates school plant maintenance and students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Bayelsa state. The correlational survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of this study was eighty-two thousand, five hundred and eighty-two (82,582) students of the 191 public secondary schools in the eight (8) Local government areas of Bayelsa state. A sample of 300 students was drawn from 12 schools, having a total population of 5120 students was sampled for this study. The instrument that was used for data collection in this study was a self-structured 4-point Likert Scale Modified questionnaire titled: School Plant Maintenance and Students Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools Questionnaire. (SPMSAPPSSQ). A test–retest method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. The two sets of scores were computed using Pearson product moment correlation to determine the reliability index value 0.72 while the hypothesis is at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of this study revealed that maintenance of a blackboard helps the students to see clearly, thereby enhancing their academic performance; the maintenance of ICT building enables students to take part in ICT classes effectively and that steady maintenance of the library makes it possible for reliable and current books to be available for students to study widely. The study concludes by establishing the relationship between school plants maintenance and students’ academic performances in public senior secondary schools in Bayelsa State and recommended that government and schools board should often investigate the level of fitness and stability of school plants and embark on renovation and replacement of dilapidated and worn-out facilities in order to promote students’ academic performances.
| 6 |
Author(s):
Prof. Okolocha Comfort C., Benstowe Felicia Seledi.
Page No : 76-89
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Effect of Internship Experiential Learning on Students’ Academic Achievement in Utilization of Model Office Technologies in Federal Colleges of Education in South-South, Nigeria
Abstract
This study determines the effect of internship experiential learning on students' academic achievement in utilization of model office technology in Federal Colleges of Education in south-south, Nigeria. Two specific purposes, two research questions and two hypotheses were posed to guide the study. Quasi-experimental research design with pretest, post-test, non-randomized groups was adopted. 86 N.C.E. Ill business education (OTME) students during the 2018/2019 academic session made up the population. The sample consisted of 45 and 41 N.C.E. III Business Education (OTME) students from Federal College of Education (Tech.), Asaba and 41 OTME students from Federal College of Education (Tech.), Omoku, Rivers State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample for study. A rating scale questionnaire was used for determining the students' academic achievement in model office technologies utilization. The instrument was validated by three lecturers from Faculty of Education, Nnarndi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State. The rating scale was subjected to reliability of stability using test-retest method to obtain r-value of 0.90. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean scores to answer research questions one. Independent t-test was used to test null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. All data were computed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 0.16. The findings revealed those exposed to model office technologies using internship experiential learning scored higher than those in control group. The findings also revealed that both male and female benefited from internship experiential learning activities used for teaching model office technologies. In same vein, the results revealed significant difference in the academic scores of experimental as against that of control group. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that Business education (OTME option) lecturers should try as much as possible to adopt, design and implement internship experiential learning when handling any course that has to do with model office technologies utilization in order to assist students to acquire the needed practical skills content.
| 7 |
Author(s):
Eric Appiah-Twumasi, Daniel Nti, Richard Acheampong, Frederick Ameyaw.
Page No : 90-104
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Diagnostic Assessment of Students’ Misconceptions about Heat and Temperature Through the Use of Two-Tier Test Instrument
Abstract
The research looked into the misconceptions held by Physics students about some selected heat and temperature concepts. The research design employed in this study was a diagnostic-descriptive research design. A sample of 56 Senior High School (SHS) two (2) students, drawn from Berekum Senior School in the Berekum Municipality, Ghana, were used for the study. An instrument known as the Two-Tier Test Instrument of Heat and Temperature Concepts (HTCT) was employed in data gathering. Mean score, standard deviation, frequencies, percentage were used to answer research questions one and two, while one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and correlational analysis was used to answer research question three. Results indicated that students used for this study hold misconceptions, lack understanding, and have difficulties explaining the selected heat and temperature concepts used in the HTCT instrument. The results also revealed that misconceptions about heat and temperature concepts non-significantly interact with student age (F .545 = .463, p > .05), but significantly interact with students' gender (F 4.541 = .038, p < .05). Based on the results obtained, the researchers recommended the use of two-tier test instruments and advanced organisers to identify students’ misconceptions of scientific concepts.
