Stemming Down High Rates Of Truancy, Drop-Out And Failure In Secondary Schools In Osun State

Vol. 3 No. 3

Year: 2008

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title: Stemming Down High Rates Of Truancy, Drop-Out And Failure In Secondary Schools In Osun State 

Author Name: Sofowora O. Alaba 

Synopsis: 

The purpose of this study was to find out whether;(1) truancy, drop-out and failure rates was as a result of the teacher teaching strategy in Secondary Schools in Osun State, (ii) If skill in instructional design has any relationship with failure rate; and (iii) whether teachers that studied Educational Technology would perform significantly better in their teaching profession than those that did not. The study also investigated the rate at which teachers utilized instructional materials and the extent of ensuring active, participatory and effective learning among secondary school students in Osun State. Three hundred and sixty three samples were selected from all the secondary schools in Osun State. They were divided into three groups, that is, the Art subjects, Science subjects and the social sciences. The statistical programme for social sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The result showed that; (1) 65% of the students sampled showed great dissatisfaction with their teachers’ teaching method (x2=2.41<p0.05), (2) The data collected  showed that only 20% of their teachers use the library always in Arts,4% in Sciences and 7% in Social sciences, (3) The teachers in Osun state seldom employed instructional materials that would have motivated the students and encouraged active and participatory learning, (4) The result also showed that there was a significant relationship between the teacher’s teaching strategies, truancy, drop out and failure rate in secondary schools in Osun State(X2 =19.40 p<0.05), (5) Teachers who studied Educational Technology and instructional design were able to use a better approach and  performed significantly better in their teaching profession than those that did not study Educational Technology (x2=2.52<p 0.05).

The Use of Instructional Design in Educational Technology for Effective Teaching and Learning

Vol. 3 No. 3

Year: 2008

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title: The Use of Instructional Design in Educational Technology for Effective Teaching and Learning 

Author Name: Syeda Nosheen Gillani, Dr. Aijaz Ahmed Gujjar, Dr. Bushra Naoreen Choudhry 

Synopsis: 

Educationists are of the opinion that the educational problems relating to quantity and quality could be tackled by the proper utilization of instructional technology. Instructional technology is a systematic way of designing, carrying out and evaluating the teaching learning process. Instructional technology makes instruction more effective, understandable and meaningful. All types of resources are used to make the learning easy. Traditional teacher-centred approach in the classroom has been shifted from teaching to learning. It is called student centred or resource-based approach, the student being the resource. Learning through hearing alone proves to be the least effective means of learning. One learns eleven percent by hearing as against eighty-three percent by seeing. As for as retention of hearing is concerned, learning through hearing again stands at the lowest ebb because after three days, we recall only ten percent of what we learn through hearing as against fifty percent of what we learn through both hearing and seeing, and ninety percent of what we acquire by applying three of our senses i.e. seeing, hearing and doing. The major objectives of the study were, (i) to find the relative effectiveness of instructional technology in teaching biology at secondary level to students of experimental group and control group and (ii) to see the difference of treatment effects between the students of low achievers and high achievers and high achievers, (iii) to see the difference of treatment effects between the students of the control and experimental groups on the variable of retention. The study is significant because findings identified the effectiveness of instructional technology and weakness of traditional approach at secondary level in teaching biology. The researcher selected the students of 10th class of the Federal government Girls Secondary School No.6 and two groups (experimental and control) were randomly secured from total available group. The equivalence of the groups was determined by equating the students of both groups on the pre-test scores. Four chapters of biology were taught during the experiment of both experimental and control groups by two different teachers almost of the same qualification and experience and were intended to measure the outcomes of learning. The post-test was administered to both groups after twelve weeks. The retention test was administered after twelve weeks of the post-test. In order to secure data, pre-test and retention rest were administered as research instrument. Data were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted in the light of objectives of the study. In order to see the significance of the results, the t-test was applied. The analysis revealed that the application of instructional technology as supplementary strategy in teaching biology was more effective because the use of instructional technology increased interest and enhanced motivation levels. Instructional technology as supplementary strategy was also found to be equally effective for low achievers and high achievers. On the basis of findings, researcher provided workable suggestions/recommendations for enhancing the effective learning of students of biology at secondary level.

Computer Assisted Instructional Programs to Teach Mathematics to Students with Learning Disabilities: Analysis of the Instructional Design Features

Vol. 3 No. 3

Year: 2008

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title: Computer Assisted Instructional Programs to Teach Mathematics to Students with Learning Disabilities: Analysis of the Instructional Design Features 

Author Name: Paul Riccomini 

Synopsis: 

This paper is an analysis of published research on computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for mathematics involving students with learning disabilities. A systematic search of the literature on computer-assisted instructional interventions for students with learning disabilities yielded 25 studies that met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The studies were analyzed on an identified set of evidenced-based instructional components validated in the effective teaching research. Overall, the results suggest that most of the identified evidenced-based instructional components are incorporated into CAI programs used to teach mathematics to students with learning disabilities. Additionally, the results indicate that CAI is a generally effective means for increasing the mathematical performance of students with learning disabilities. Although promising, the implications for practice based on this analysis are limited by the relatively small number of studies reviewed and the diverse array of mathematical concepts and skills targeted. Findings from this analysis highlight the need for continued development and research validation of CAI programs focusing on improving learning outcomes of students with learning disabilities.

Using weblogs as a tool for reflective learning

Vol. 3 No. 3

Year: 2008

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title: Using weblogs as a tool for reflective learning 

Author Name: Raja Maznah Raja Hussain, Foo Sze-Yeng 

Synopsis: 

This study explores the phenomenon of reflective learning through weblogging among pre-service teachers enrolled in an undergraduate technology course. Teacher trainees used weblogs to record their experiences in learning to use technology in teaching and learning.  Although weblogging has emerged as a new form of mainstream communication among younger 'digital citizens' (Prensky, 2001), it has yet to be widely studied in the teacher training program in Malaysia, as a tool for reflective learning. This study seeks to find out the practicability of introducing weblogging in an instructional setting by examining the focus and level of reflection weblogging is able to facilitate. The findings from the content analysis of individual weblogs and focus group interviews show that the sample of six pre-service teachers were generally at ease and optimistic about using weblogging to reflect on a range of content. However, some weblogs were more reflective than others and seven factors were found to influence the level of reflection in the weblogs. This paper reveals that assessment in weblogging for reflective learning is contentious and may be a culture-specific issue. It is suggested that weblogging is generally a viable tool to facilitate reflective learning; not only about course content but also professional values, attitudes and learning strategies. The condition is that instructional design elements must be observed.

Cognitive Training as Treatment for ADHD: Effectiveness in School-Aged Children

Vol. 3 No. 3

Year: 2008

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title: Cognitive Training as Treatment for ADHD: Effectiveness in School-Aged Children 

Author Name: Emily J. Garner, Marsha Harman J, Jerry Bruce a 

Synopsis: 

The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain the effectiveness of Captain’s Log, a computerized cognitive-training program designed to improve attention and reduce impulsivity. Participants consisted of 48 children in third through sixth grades, nominated by teachers for classroom behavior that interfered with their learning.  Students were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or the control condition.  All of the students first completed the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA CPT), which served as a pre-test measure of attention and impulsivity.  Those assigned to the experimental group then received seven weekly sessions of Captain’s Log, each lasting approximately 30 minutes.  Those in the control group were excused from class for an equal amount of time, but played a basic computer game (Solitaire) instead. In addition, teachers completed the BASC Teacher Rating Scale at the beginning and conclusion of the study in order to determine if behavioral changes were recognized in the classroom.  A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of the post-test measures found that the visual-focused attention scale showed a statistically significant improvement in the experimental group.

A Framework for Task-Oriented Language Instruction

Vol. 3 No. 3

Year: 2008

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title: A Framework for Task-Oriented Language Instruction 

Author Name: Dr. Mohammad Ali Salmani Nodoushan 

Synopsis: 

Task-based teaching is an area which has emerged from the upsurge of interest in cognitive approaches to language learning and teaching of the mid 1980s. Being a current vogue in communicative language teaching, task-based language learning contains dangers if implemented without care. In particular, it is likely to create pressure for immediate communication rather than interlanguage change and growth. In this process, it may persuade learners to use lexical modes of communication excessively and prematurely, and to fossilize some way short of native-like second language competence. This paper takes a processing-pedagogic viewpoint to review what task-based instruction is, to identify its goals, and to warn EFL/ESL teachers about the potential pitfalls of task-based language teaching.

Beyond the Classroom Walls – Virtual Field Trips

Vol. 3 No. 3

Year: 2008

Issue: Dec-Feb

Title: Beyond the Classroom Walls – Virtual Field Trips 

Author Name: Mary Jo Pierantozzi M.S. 

Synopsis: 

There is no doubt that children enjoy field trips. They enjoy the opportunity to explore new places, gaze upon new images and artefacts, and learn about different people, places, and things. Unfortunately, due to financial cutbacks or concerns about security and safety, many children are no longer able to enjoy these adventures. What can teachers do when faced with these challenges? How can teachers generate a sense of adventure and discovery when faced with the same four walls each and every day? These are questions that today’s technology can help answer. By creating a Virtual Field Trip, teachers can bring the world into their classrooms. This article will discuss the rationale behind creating these trips as well as offer practical suggestions and ideas for developing the trips, tying them to standards, developing effective strategies for the trips, and assessing the knowledge gained by students as a result of their interaction with the Virtual Field Trips. Student creation of Virtual Field trips, as assessment projects, will also be discussed.

Third Language through First Language ------- Shifting the Paradigm

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Third Language through First Language ------- Shifting the Paradigm 

Author Name: Dr. Aijaz Ahmed Gujjar 

Synopsis: 

The paper addresses a key issue in language planning of the third world countries, specifically Pakistan, a country that remained under the shackles of Colonialism till 1947 but still does not have a clear cut language policy. Being richly multilingual and multicultural, it has had to cope with the problem of a second language, the national language and the regional and local languages. The often accepted dictum that “choosing to learn a second language affords you unending possibilities does not hold ground here”. Learning a second language is a compulsion. But what is the second language: Urdu, English or some powerful local language. This confusion has since long marred the teaching learning situation in some of the third world countries especially Pakistan. The teacher remains affixed with the Grammar Translation Method. The students have to refer to Urdu to learn English. However, Urdu is not the mother tongue of Ninety three percent of the population. Hence the students have to translate their thoughts twice which more than often results in the loss of meaning. The present study was experimental in nature which sought to find answer to the question: Is it possible to do away with Urdu and refer to the local language of the child while teaching him the English language? The study followed a pre-test post-test single group experimental design. It was found that the students were more enthusiastic in learning the English language through the medium of their local language. It is conceded that Urdu may be taught as a national language but while teaching the foreign language, its middle-man status must be done away with.

BSCW As A Managed Learning Environment For International In-Service Teacher Education.

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: BSCW As A Managed Learning Environment For International In-Service Teacher Education. 

Author Name: Gisli Thorsteinsson, Tom Page 

Synopsis: 

Fiste is a three year Comenius project based on a need for innovative and effective ideas for in-service teacher education. The participants are from five countries Finland, Romania, Iceland, Latvia and Spain. The Fiste project is funded by the European Comenius and deals with the use of new web based educational technologies for teaching in-service teachers in Europe.  The Fiste’s main task is to create a common in-service teachers’ course as a new way to provide in-service teacher education based on ICT.  The participants used an on-line platform to set up a course with web-based learning tools.  The World Wide Web offers a great deal of potential in supporting cross-platform cooperative work within locally separated working groups.  The BSCW has been developed as Web based groupware tool using the metaphor of joint virtual workspaces.  The system is particularly practical for teaching and learning in the context of on-line education and already used by large communities for cooperation between students and teachers in distributed areas in Europe.  The paper focus on the use of the BSCW, in the context of the Fiste project.

Effectiveness Of Multiple Intelligence Based Teaching (Mibt) In Teaching Mathematics For Primary School Students

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Effectiveness Of Multiple Intelligence Based Teaching (Mibt) In Teaching Mathematics For Primary School Students 

Author Name: XAVIER P, P. Annaraja 

Synopsis: 

Multiple Intelligence Based Teaching (MIBT) applies the multiple intelligence theory in the process of teaching and learning. MIBT explores and develops the intelligence of the students. Also it teaches the content in a multiple way to the students. The objective of the present study is to find out the effectiveness of multiple intelligence based teaching (MIBT) for teaching mathematics for primary school students. Equivalent group experimental design has been selected for conducting the experiment. For each control and experimental groups, 30 sixth standard students have been selected from a school in Karaikal. Finally the study concludes that the experimental group is better than the control group i.e., the Multiple Intelligence Based Teaching (MIBT) method is an effective method for teaching mathematics for primary school students than the traditional method of teaching.

Student-Centered Collaborative Learning in the Online Classroom: Perceptions of Virtual Group Projects

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Student-Centered Collaborative Learning in the Online Classroom: Perceptions of Virtual Group Projects 

Author Name: B. Jean Mandernach, Emily Donnelli, Amber Dailey 

Synopsis: 

In early models of online instruction, learning activities and assessments relied primarily on threaded discussions or papers. But advances in online technology, and a growing trend to incorporate collaborative learning strategies, have lead to the emergence of online group projects. While student-centered learning activities such as group projects have a well-established history in traditional educational environments, the value of group work in the online classroom is less clear. A survey of experienced online students and faculty revealed inconsistent perceptions between these two groups concerning the value of group projects in virtual education. Online faculty report that group projects are a valuable tool as group work provides a realistic assessment of requisite professional skills. In contrast, online students indicate that group projects are counterproductive to their choice to pursue an online education. Discussion examines unique challenges to incorporating student-centered collaborative projects in the virtual classroom.

Predicting English word accent on morphological grounds

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Predicting English word accent on morphological grounds 

Author Name: Dr. Mohammad Ali Salmani Nodoushan 

Synopsis: 

Learners of English as a foreign/Second Language (EFL/ESL) can easily learn the correct pronunciation of English words, some linguists have tried to simplify English phonology in general, and English accent in particular, over the past 50 years or so; some schol¬ars have talked about four degrees of pri-mary, secondary, tertiary and weak stress (e.g., Bowen, 1975); some have considered only three degrees of stress: primary, sec¬ondary and weak (e.g., Stageberg, 1964) and some have concentrated on two levels of stress: accented vs. unaccented, or stressed vs. unstressed (e.g., Chomsky and Halle, 1968). No one of these scholars, however, has adopted an orthography-based approach to their discussion of English accent. Since orthography or spelling is the most fixed and static way of representing words in English, like in almost any other language, spelling- or orthography-based rules of accent/stress placement can relieve almost any ESL/EFL learner. In this paper, four easy-to-understand spelling-based rules for stress placement are presented which can help EFL/ESL learners to master correct pronunciation of English words.

New Technologies and Literacy Learning in a Mayan School in Guatemala

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: New Technologies and Literacy Learning in a Mayan School in Guatemala 

Author Name: Midge Madden, Jane Sullivan 

Synopsis: 

Faculty, staff and alumni from Rowan University recently traveled to Antigua, Guatemala  to conduct a technology assessment so that a three to four times yearly teacher training program can be expanded to a year round online professional development program.Since 2002, Rowan Reading Professor Midge Madden and  Professor Emeritus Jane Sullivan have been promoting literacy in Guatemala public schools through teacher workshops and more focused week-long literacy institutes. Illiteracy is to a critical problem in Guatemala, where 77% of the population do not attend school beyond sixth grade.  Three realities contribute to this statistic: 1) there is limited access to middle and high schools for many students, particularly poor children in rural areas; 2) public schooling is not free; students must buy their own books/supplies and uniforms; and 3) teacher training is at best minimal - elementary school teachers need only a high school diploma and there are few baccalaureate teacher training programs to train middle and high school teachers..  Consequently, large numbers of people in Guatemala cannot read or write. The Republica de Guatemala Instituto Nacional de Estadistica Censos Nacionales XI de Poblacion y VI de Habitacion 2002 reports the following:Education, public and private, is paid for by individual families. The only difference between public and private is the level of cost. Public education costs less, but oftentimes it is too much for the average family and the children are not able to study. Fact: 67% of all Guatemalans children 7-14 years old do not attend school.This is the reality of schooling in Guatemala.

Emerging Technologies: An Overview of Practices in Distance Education

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Author Name: Irshad Hussain 

Synopsis: 

In contemporary society,information technologies and communication technologies (ICTs) are playing crucial role in dissemination of knowledge and information the world over. Universities/ higher education institutions, particularly distance education universities in developed countries are making best use of these technologies for effective and interactive teaching learning process. Developing countries are also trying to adopt the model of developed countries according to their resources and circumstances. Distance education universities in developed countries like United States of America and United Kingdom are using advanced (emerging) technologies such as computers, Internet (World Wide Web) satellite communication, teleconferencing (videoconferencing and audio conferencing) and virtual reality in education and training. In developing countries like India, Pakistan and Thailand, distance education universities are using Radio, Television and Internet for teaching learning purpose and students support services. They are using computers mostly for office work. They are trying to adopt advanced technologies like developed countries but they have some limitations of resources (human & material resources). In future it is hoped that developing countries will also be using emerging technologies for teaching learning purpose.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School Revitalized Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE): A Focus on the Students’ Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School Revitalized Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE): A Focus on the Students’ Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development 

Author Name: Carmencita Castolo L, Merlinda O. Goyenechea 

Synopsis: 

Any secondary education technology livelihood and entrepreneurship program should be based on the new Basic Education Curriculum in Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) I based on the standard curriculum designed by the Philippine Department of Education. This paper is a discussion on the technology livelihood and entrepreneurship as part of the basic education curriculum for secondary school students.    Part of this paper discusses the component and the importance of the TLE program in general and the experiences in terms of implementation of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Laboratory High School (PUPLHS).  To answer the needs of the times along this aspect, PUPLHS designed a revitalized TLE program focusing on livelihood and entrepreneurial  development program through its Mini-Center for Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development.  Activities lined up for this purpose were detailed in the paper.

Interaction And Collaboration In Literacy Development

Vol. 3 No. 2

Year: 2007

Issue: Sep-Nov

Title: Interaction And Collaboration In Literacy Development 

Author Name: Fatimah Hashim, Halima Awang 

Synopsis: 

Apart from those whose individual learning needs are recognized for special resourcing, many disadvantaged learners experience difficulties in literacy. Their parents and carers are, potentially, an important source of additional support in encouraging literacy acquisition. In addition, embedded within particular approaches and strategies for developing literacy are a variety of underlying assumptions about the process of literacy acquisition. This paper illustrates these issues with reference to a particular programme currently in use in Literacy Centres in a Land Development Scheme. It will go on to outline the training services given to a group of untrained practitioners leading these centres. This is done in order that they may negotiate effective literacy programmes which can harness all available resources to address difficulties in literacy development. The training focusses on ways to inculcate interaction and collaboration among trainees.

And Academic Qualification Differetials Of Nigerian University Teachers In Computer Skills Acquisition And Programmes Mastery: Implications On Effective Teaching

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Gender And Academic Qualification Differetials Of Nigerian University Teachers In Computer Skills Acquisition And Programmes Mastery: Implications On Effective Teaching   

Author Name: O. Agbatogun Alaba   

Synopsis:   

Nigerian university teachers’ level of computer skills acquisition and programme mastery was x-rayed in this study. 367 university teachers with mean age of 41.21 and Standard deviation of 9.56 drawn from 2 universities in Ogun-state, Nigeria was used as the sample for the study. The Computer Skills Acquisition and Progarmme Mastery Questionnaire was used for data collection. The data collected was analysed at 0.05 level of significance using the t-test and Analysis of Variance statistical tools. The results indicated that gender had a great influence on the level of computer skills acquisition and programme mastery of university teachers. Meanwhile, as the computer skills acquisition level of the university teachers was academic qualification specific, their level of computer programme mastery was not dictated by their level of academic qualifications. It was among other things recommended that in all universities, students of faculty of education should be made to undergo computer appreciation course, the university teachers are taken through computer training in order to improve their level of computer literacy, while the universities management should endeavour to make personal computer available to every university teachers in order to facilitate effective teaching and learning.

 

Developing Critical Internet Literacy Skills: Blog Evaluation for Information Quality

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Developing Critical Internet Literacy Skills: Blog Evaluation for Information Quality   

Author Name: Gulsun Kurubacak   

Synopsis:   

The main purpose of this study is to develop the Internet literacy through The Theory of Communicative Action for critically evaluating information quality. There is an imperative need for a new approach of online communications that will transform social actions through communicative action. By concentrating on global values, ethics, norms and feelings, open and flexible discourse through The Theory of Communicative Action enables the unquestioning foundations for critical and dialogical discussions. Communicative action, therefore, can coordinate action through consent as a result of discourse. In addition, the critical Internet literacy can guarantee every individual life and freedom meaning safety of person, the established liberty of speech and equal opportunity. In this context, the lifeworld as a crucial part of communicative action can develop and become valid based on communication, not manipulation. This is a Praxis Research, collecting useful knowledge derived from reflection on experience. The author is to find a proven method of enhancing the Internet Literacy skills of youth. As part of the study, she is testing a radical way to help youth about how to read, understand, and critically evaluate the information they find online, through a mutual model of the Theory of Communicative Action. How to discuss and analyze major aspects of the Internet becoming knowledgeable about Web sources, online communications, the researcher seeks how to youth can realize radical changes in racial hierarchy, include patterns with disparate amounts of political power, and rely on goodwill to build and maintain cohesiveness. The guidelines for identifying biases provided by the Safe School Coalition’s (2003) and modified by the researcher provided youth with a checklist for discussing information quality on the net. Based on the main purpose of this study, eleven youth aged 15-19 utilized this checklist to equip with new visions of the Internet resources in September 2007.

 

Future Trends In Educational Technology

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Future Trends In Educational Technology   

Author Name: Singaravelu G, T. Muthukrishnan   

Synopsis:   

It deals with the future content will emphasis on broad understanding, generalisation, gaining skill through inquiry, discovering, valuing and developing a consistent and reasoned intellectual view. Student-student interaction, student technology interaction-student-interaction, student-website, and student-computer.

 

Information and communicative technology Computers as research tools

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Information and communicative technology Computers as research tools   

Author Name: Mahender Reddy Sarsani   

Synopsis:   

The emergence of “the electronic age, /electronic cottages/ the electronic world” has affected the whole world; particularly the emergence of computers has penetrated everyone’s life to a remarkable degree. They are being used in various fields including education. Recent advances and especially in the area of computer technology has heralded the development and implementation of new and innovative teaching strategies. There is growing interest in the application of computer-based tools to support higher level thinking, improve teaching and learning processes and effect in the field of research. Computers can be used as a research tools to carryout various tasks. The use software and the Internet deserve special mention here. Internet is the newest and in the world of educational computing, it is being promoted by many as the most powerful tool for learning ever invented. What makes it so powerful is that it allows the child or young person to freely search for educational material or useful information, as well as doing communication with all sorts of people in different parts of the planet.

 

Emerging Technologies in Distance Education:New Paradigms of Pedagogy in 21st Century

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Emerging Technologies in Distance Education:New Paradigms of Pedagogy in 21st Century 

Author Name: Irshad Hussain 

Synopsis: 

New developments in technology,irrespective of the fields. These have a potential role to play in the field of education and training, especially distance education, to transform it into an interactive paradigm. These can provide education beyond the boundaries of a nation and/or state making it accessible to learners at their own pace. These are instructional means used for effective, productive and interactive teaching learning process. At present, effective and efficient teaching learning process is potentially possible at any time, any place and in any discipline. It occurs in changed environment with a shift from teacher centered teaching to student centered learning. The greater emphasis is on students’ activity rather on teachers’. Teachers are required to play new role in new settings. Accumulated knowledge and experience occupies central place, to which students have direct access. Students learn not only by the teacher but also with the teacher by interacting with one another, teachers and institution through emerging technologies. In this article effort has been made to point out the impact and potential role of emerging technologies in distance education.

 

Critical Thinking and Decision Making: Selecting A Distance Education School

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Critical Thinking and Decision Making: Selecting A Distance Education School 

Author Name: Brent Muirhead 

Synopsis: 

The paper will discuss the role of critical thinking skills in enhancing the decision making process. The application of critical thinking skills will be described in my decision to return to school and pursue a graduate degree. The discussion will highlight the rationale that led me to select the master’s degree in psychology program at the University of Phoenix.

 

Radio Lectures In Ghana: An Innovation For The Twenty First Century Instructional Delivery

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Radio Lectures In Ghana: An Innovation For The Twenty First Century Instructional Delivery 

Author Name: Adeyanju. L .J 

Synopsis: 

In the developing countries of the world, Nigeria and Ghana especially have consistently been battling with large enrollment of students into the institutions of higher learning. The attendant problem of the traditional instructional delivery system that poses a serious challenge to the 21st century educational development therefore needs innovation. Can instructional radio broadcast be of help? It is common knowledge to report that poof funding of universities of west Africa by various governments is no news anymore. However, there are other issues of acute shortage of staff, space, infrastructure, facilities and lack of quality relevant instructional materials that need urgent solution. There is overcrowding of learners in the classroom, and the alarming increase in qualified university admission seekers annually runs to a million especially in Nigeria. An added problem is that only about 10% of these candidates get placement in universities, the spillover of the admission seekers often get stranded. This is a problem that calls for innovation in instructional delivery systems in African universities if the demand for mass education would be met. Radio lecture broadcasts it is felt have potentials to ameliorate the problem of delivery because of the attributes of its immediate distance coverage, repetition and cost effectiveness. The paper is an action research report that present the breakthrough of radio lectures to a large class in the university of education in Ghana. The reaction of the community to the innovation, problems encountered, lessons learned and the prospects of radio for teaching are highlighted.

Key Ingredients for Effective Problem-Based Learning Lessons

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Key Ingredients for Effective Problem-Based Learning Lessons 

Author Name: Halima Awang, Fatimah Hashim 

Synopsis: 

It has been well recognized that problem-based learning (PBL) embraces the principles of what constitute good learning and teaching which encourage integrated, independent and experiential development of a number of skills including team work and communication. The question is how best can the PBL approach be implemented to ensure maximum gain of deep learning? Two issues that need to be addressed are: the problem itself and the sagacity to get involved around this problem. Mindsets need to be changed in terms of appraising students’ performance.

The Use of Theory of Constraints (TOC) in teaching of Moral Education: Malaysia

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year: 2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: The Use of Theory of Constraints (TOC) in teaching of Moral Education: Malaysia 

Author Name: Vishalache Balakrishnan 

Synopsis: 

Moral Education has been in existence in Malaysia for the last ten to fifteen years. In fact during pre and post independents days, Moral Education was taught as ethics in almost all missionary schools in Malaysia. Since the subject was formally introduced as a core subject for non Muslim students, various methods have been introduced to teach the subject in educational institutions, right from Pre School up to the university. This paper underlines the use of Theory of Constraints(TOC),one of the latest methods introduced to teach Moral Education.

Managing Standards-Based Teacher Education For Transformation

Vol. 3 No. 1

Year:

2007

Issue: Jun-Aug

Title: Managing Standards-Based Teacher Education For Transformation 

Author Name: Taqadus Bashir, Pervez A. Shami 

Synopsis: 

Recognition of the importance of developing teacher education is closely tied to the need for standards to transform the system and to harmonize school and teacher education. This has become crucial pre-requisite for the much needed shift towards knowledge based economy. This paper presents an overview of the management and subsequent needed techniques to manage standards based teacher education. The study suggests determining primarily the standards of education before embarking on standards based teacher education. The model as presented has been illustrated with example which is more directional in nature deliberating on standards of education and based on there standards and outline for teacher education. The model will prove helpful to teacher education and their curriculum planners in reshaping standards based teacher education

Educational Technology: A confidence builder and problem solver in Learning English at Standard I

Vol. 2 No.4

Year: 2007

Issue: Mar-May

Title  : Educational Technology: A confidence builder and problem solver in Learning English at Standard I

Author Name  : Singaravelu G 

Synopsis  : 

The present study investigates the learning impediments of the learners in English at standard I and found the effectiveness of AVRM approach (Audio-Visual, Relia and Multimedia) to eliminate the learning impediments in English. Twenty five subjects were taken for the study. Oral test was administered for the study. AVRM approach was found to be more effective than traditional approach in learning English at Standard I.

 

 

Defining and Measuring Psychomotor Performance

Vol. 2 No.4

Year: 2007

Issue: Mar-May

Title: Defining and Measuring Psychomotor Performance 

Author Name: Ossi Autio 

Synopsis: 

Psychomotor performance is fundamental to human existence. It is important in many real world activities and nowadays psychomotor tests are used in several fields of industry, army, and medical sciences in employee selection. This article tries to define psychomotor activity by introducing some psychomotor theories. Furthermore the interrelationship between psychomotor, cognitive, and affective area is researched. It seems that there occurs a significant correlation between psychomotor and cognitive area, but between psychomotor and affective tests only a small correlation was found.

 

 

Participation Levels of Primary School Teachers viewing Pre-Recorded Video Programme: An analysis of Teachers Training programme

Vol. 2 No.4

Year: 2007

Issue: Mar-May

Title: Participation Levels of Primary School Teachers viewing Pre-Recorded Video Programme: An analysis of Teachers Training programme 

Author Name: K. Srinivasan 

Synopsis: 

The article provides a detailed analysis of the teachers who attended the training for primary education and viewed pre-recorded cassette using Group Observation method. First the paper discusses detailed methodology on group observation and in the second part the findings suggests that for better production of any video programme for training the teachers should contain innovation and novel approaches, should be applied.

 

Model for the Correlates of Student’s Creative Thinking

Vol. 2 No.4

Year: 2007

Issue: Mar-May

Title: Model for the Correlates of Student’s Creative Thinking 

Author Name: Mahender Reddy Sarsani 

Synopsis: 

The present study was aimed to explore the relationships between orgainsational or school variables, students’ personal background variables, and cognitive and motivational variables. The sample for the survey included 373 students drawn from nine Government schools in Andhra Pradesh, India. Students’ creative thinking abilities were measured by the verbal and non-verbal Tests of Creative Thinking developed by Baqer Mehdi. The researcher developed the tools for this purpose and data was collected by means of questionnaires for students, a scale for assessing teachers’ encouragement of pupils in the classroom, and a checklist for headteachers regarding out-of-school activities. To analyse the data, quantitative techniques such as Multiple Regression Analysis and the Path Analysis were used to study the direct and indirect effects of variables on the dependent variable creativity. The analysis showed a model, where out-of-school activities, mother’s education, teacher encouragement and mother’s income had causal relationships with students’ creative thinking.

    

 

Evaluating Student Teacher Performance

Vol. 2 No.4

Year: 2007

Issue: Mar-May

Title: Evaluating Student Teacher Performance 

Author Name: Carmencita Castolo L, Rosemariebeth R. Dizon 

Synopsis: 

Cooperating teachers are asked to write a final evaluation of the student, a king of summing-up, and this is often kept in the student’s permanent folder, perhaps to be seen by future employers. Often the student teacher is also asked to evaluate his over-all performance in writing at the end of the student teaching period. The forms used for evaluation vary considerably from short checklist to long essay, and some combine aspects of each. The main purposes of this article are the student teaching experience is to allow the cooperating teacher to share his/her experience and guide student teachers in evaluating their own progress.