Journal of Technology and Education in Nigeria

Effects of learning mathematics in and beyond the classroom on students’ performance in senior secondary schools in rivers state, Nigeria

RA Ogunkunle

This study investigated the effects of learning mathematics in and beyond the classroom on students` performance in senior secondary schools in Rivers` state. The research design is quasi-experimental. The population of this study consists of all government senior secondary schools in Rivers State. The sample of 80 ss1 students was drawn from the population of four schools out of 14 government senior secondary schools in Obio/Akpo L.G.A of Rivers State, by random sampling techniques. The instrument used was Mathematics Achievement Test developed by the researcher. The reliability of the instrument was determined through test-retest method. The initial and retest scores of the sample were correlated using Pearson product moment. The reliability score was found to be 0.88. Data were analysed using mean and t-test. The results showed that extending mathematics lessons beyond the classroom helps students to improve in their performance and learning beyond the classroom was interactive to students. It was recommended that mathematics teachers should give students learning tasks that will extend learning of mathematics beyond the classroom. Parents should relate activities at home with mathematics learnt at school. Curriculum planners and mathematics educators should integrate the strategies which will extend mathematics beyond the classroom in the mathematics curriculum.

Key words: Mathematics, beyond the classroom, performance and learning tasks.

Perception of women about dress pattern of female youths

LN Nweyilobu

The study investigates the role of women on dressing patterns of female youths. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire from 88 female youths in Rivers State, Nigeria. Data analysis was by the use of frequency, percentage and mean. Results of the study showed that majority of the respondents (51.1%) were between 20 and 25 years, majority were single (60.2%), had tertiary education (58%) and were students (67.5%). It was also found that majority of the respondents (54.5%) prefer to dress in simple English wear. The study revealed that respondents generally agreed that women play significant roles in their dressing pattern. It is however recommended that dressing patterns of female youths should as much as possible be modest.

Key words: dressing patterns, female youths

Profitability analysis of catfish production using fibre glass tank technology in Ishiagu, Ivo Lga of Ebonyi state, Nigeria

CU Nwaobiala

The cost and returns of catfish farming using fibre glass tank technology in Ishiagu, Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State, was studied and analyzed in 2010. Purposively, thirty (30) catfish farmers were randomly selected from the pilot communities of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) extension outreach centres. Data were collected through a well structured questionnaire. Results showed that the gross margin for catfish farmers was N339,300.00. Policies aimed at increasing catfish farmers’ access to variable inputs at cost effective price should be encouraged. This will serve as a veritable avenue for poverty alleviation and meeting animal protein family needs of the people.

Key-words: profitability, fibre glass tank, catfish production

E-learning as a veritable human resource development strategy for Nigeria

B Vikoo

Students’ learning in tertiary institutions all over the world has undergone tremendous transformation, especially since the advent of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). There is a shift from the traditional approach of teacher-directed or didactic methods to modern methods where computer technology plays a significant role. The aspect of ICT that has brought about this revolution in students’ learning is e-learning. This paper discusses the generational changes in distance learning of which e-learning is a part. It presents five generations of distance education models with the most preferred now being Internet-based distance education or e-learning model. Four types of distance education based on proportion of content delivered online, types of courses and typical description are also presented in the paper. E-learning as the current best human development innovative tool as well as the vision and strategy for human resources development in a digital economy through e-learning is further discussed. The paper concludes with a call on developing countries like Nigeria to emphasize a change to e-learning for her human resources to be relevant in the present era of globalized digital economy.

Key words: E-learning, human resource development

Problems of implementing continuous assessment in secondary schools in Obowo local government area of Imo state, Nigeria

L Akoroda

The paper examined problems of implementing continuous assessment in secondary schools in Obowo local government area of Imo State, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to 100 randomly selected respondents in the study area. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that problems of implementing constunous assessment in the study area include : Lack of well trained teachers in continuous Assessment Continuous Assessment is costly in terms of materials (M=3.76), time and energy, Continuous assessment requires up to date record keeping (M=3.67), Continuous assessment is complex and difficult to implement (M=3.03), Continuous assessment requires many types of tasks and survey instruments (M=3.51), There is problem of Coordinating results when a student is transferred from one school to another (M=3.82), Continuous assessment is not an easy evaluation procedure (M=3.05), The amount of work involved is too much on the part of the teacher (M=3.82). it is therefore recommended that a committe should be formed on the school to clearly determine tests and survey instruments to be used, time for using the different instruments and what sort of data should be gathered. There should be regular workshops for teachers and experts to look into teachers workload and also to help them develop pools of test items to assess the attainment of their students and objectives. There is also need for continuous assessment appraisal and seminars to update at all times, the knowledge and skill of teachers. Adequate financial support by government to the schools towards the realization of the set down objectives of continuous assessment.

Key words: continuous assessment, teachers, students, examination

Effect of utilizing home – related science activities on students’ performance in basic science concepts

JN Akporehwe

The purpose of the study was to assess the relative effect of home related science activities on students’ performance on the concepts of heat energy, ecology and mixtures present. Pretest posttest control group design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 240 junior secondary two (JSII) students drawn from a population of 2,560 students from Yenagoa and Ogbia Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. An instrument, Basic Science Achievement Test (BSAT) was used for data collection. Also, lesson packages for each content area were developed for both the control and experimental groups. Data analysis was by use of mean scores, standard deviation, bar charts, t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The result showed that there exist differences in students’ performance on the concepts with the hierarchical order from highest to lowest as energy, ecology and mixtures. It was recommended that teachers should search deeply into the culture of pupils to identify and establish more links between their daily experiences and classroom science activities for those concepts which the performance were not very impressive.

Key words: home – related science activities, students’ performance, basic science concepts

Rural women’s awareness about environmental education

L Akoroda

The paper is focused on rural women’s awareness about environmental education. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered to 78 respondents in a Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Data analysis was by frequency, percengates and pearson product moment correlation. Findlings revealed that rural women in the study area are relatively young, and are married. Awareness level concerning environmental issues was generally high, which suggested that rural women appreciate their environment since they are conversant with the issue of environment and possibly the management of the environment. Women have been known to be managers of the home and also their surrounding, so this is a true reflection of their development capabilities. Education and occupation are the two most important factors that affect the awareness level of rural women in the study area. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that there is the need for government and non-governmental organisations to help create more awareness about issues related to management of the environment. Rural women should be given every possible assistance to acquire education so that they can be more aware of issues related to the environment. Rural women should be employed appropriately so that they can apply their management abilities adequately. There is need for regular training in the rural areas for women in the area of environmental management to empower them in the right manner.

Key words: rural women, awareness, environmental education

Leadership behaviour and practical implications for sustainable agricultural and rural development in Nigeria

GE Ifenkwe

Rural development projects in Nigeria in the sixties were compartmentalized. This piecemeal or sectoral approach later gave way, in the seventies, to a diversified, multi-agency rural development strategy known as the Integrated Rural Development approach. Government at various levels was the prime mover and animator of most agricultural rural development projects in Nigeria, as they played management roles, and in the process, encouraged mass involvement and participation, especially by beneficiary communities. This paper reviews leadership behaviour as a crucial management tool for creating a conducive work climate that would support a strong group dynamics, and ultimately lead to the achievement of programme objectives. Theories that explain leadership behaviour, which are capable of generating mass and purposeful followership, or engendering discontentment or fissures within groups or organizations, are discussed. Democratic leadership style, which takes advantage of the capacities of all members of the group, is considered most suitable for implementing agricultural and rural development projects. The paper recommends that leaders involve their followers in decision making, delegate functions when necessary, and motivate their followers, in order to generate and sustain the interest of the group in contributing to the success of group projects. Female members of the group who possess leadership traits should not play subordinate roles, but should be encouraged and given the opportunity to actualize their leadership potentialities.

Keywords: Leadership orientation, Rural development, Group decision, Followership

Repayment performance of microfinance institutions participants in fishing enterprise activity in Niger delta, Nigeria

SI Okerenta

The paper examined repayment performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) participants in fishing enterprise activity in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire administered on the respondents involved in the study who 252 in number. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was found that the overall repayment performance for the participants in this enterprise activity was 96.19 per cent with a default rate of 3.81 per cent. FOFA recorded the least repayment performance 83.45 with a default rate of 16.55 per cent while LENF recorded the highest performance of 98.16 per cent with 1.84 per cent default rate. It is recommended that concerted efforts should be in place to provide enabling environment for MFIs to operate successfully in Niger Delta in particular and in Nigeria as a geographical country.

Key words: repayment performance, microfinance participants, fishing enterprise

Constraints to adequate provision of physical resources for the universal basic education programme in delta state, Nigeria

CI Osiobe

This paper assessed the physical resources required for the implementation of the UBE programme in Delta State and constraints against their provisions. It is a descriptive survey research. The researcher used a questionnaire to collect primary data from a sample of 376 primary schools and 141 junior secondary schools head teachers across the state. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Available physical facilities in both urban and rural primary and junior secondary schools were grossly inadequate. Only 20% of facilities requirement in both primary and junior secondary schools were met, with majority of existing facilities in a state of disrepair. Constraining factors against adequate provision of physical facilities included inadequate supply of needed facilities, inadequate running expenses, stealing and vandalization, lack of maintenance schedules/budget, lack of storage facilities and frequent breakdown of facilities due to overuse. Urgent rehabilitation of school facilities, provision of adequate classroom structures and perimeter fencing of schools to protect school facilities were recommended policies.

Key Words: Universal Basic Education (UBE), Schools, Educational Facilities