International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research and Education (IMJRE)

INVESTIGATING THE CHALLENGES TO SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF STEM INTEGRATION EDUCATION IN GHANA

2023-06-26T17:16:08+00:00

The purpose of the study was to look at the major challenges that need to be addressed as Ghana toes the path of STEM integration education. The study used concurrent mixed method as the study design and purposive and snowball sampling to sample thirteen (13) stakeholders. The stakeholders were teachers, parents, administrators for private STEM organizations including government officials in charge of STEM education in Ghana and a representative from Ashesi Design Lab. The instruments used for the data collection were questionnaire items for the quantitative part and a semi-structured interview for the qualitative part. All thirteen respondents answered the questionnaire whereas 12 respondents availed themselves for the interview. The data gathered were analysed separately yet concurrently. The quantitative part was analysed using percentages with the aid SPSS 24.0 software and the qualitative data were analysed using coding and themes. The findings reveal that a lot of teachers lack deep knowledge about STEM contents and pedagogical knowledge about how to integrate them, etc. The study recommends that the government of Ghana, through GES, must ensure that there would be training and retraining of teachers to be abreast with the acronym STEM and STEM integration education

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL PRACTICES AND TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS IN GHANA: PERSPECTIVE OF TEACHERS IN THE KRACHI NCHUMURU DISTRICT

2023-06-26T17:59:45+00:00

This study investigated performance appraisal practices and teacher effectiveness in Public Junior High Schools (PJHSs) in the Krachi Nchumuru District and identified possible errors committed by appraisers in the conduct of teacher performance appraisals. The concurrent triangulation mixed-method research design was employed for the study. One hundred and seven (107) teachers were selected for the quantitative phase of the study using a stratified simple random proportional sampling technique, while a homogenous sampling technique was employed to select thirteen (13) participants for the qualitative phase of the study. A structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide were used to collect data for the quantitative and qualitative phases respectively. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20, while the qualitative data were analyzed using the grounded theory model. The study revealed that teachers in PJHSs in the Krachi Nchumuru District have positive perceptions of performance appraisal practices. The study also established a positive statistical relationship between performance appraisal practices and teacher effectiveness in PJHSs in the Krachi Nchumuru District [r= .868, n=107, p?.0005]. In addition, major errors committed by appraisers in the conduct of performance appraisals are positive bias errors (M=23.04, SD=1.213), negative bias errors (M=23.06, SD=1.164), similar-to-me errors (M=23.30, SD=1.134), contrast errors (M=22.93, SD=1.160), and leniency errors (M=22.93, SD=1.135), whereas (M=22.24, SD=1.026) stated that, the conduct of performance appraisal practices in the district are not fair. Based on this outcome, it is recommended that appraisers adopt the 360-degree module of conducting performance appraisals to achieve fairness and ensure teacher effectiveness

THE ADOPTION OF A LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS) AMONG STUDENTS AND FACULTY MEMBERS OF THE AFRICAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS (AUCC)

2023-06-26T17:05:21+00:00

Learning Management System (LMS) in institutions of higher learning is increasing either as a supplement to face-to-face instruction, blended instruction, or fully online course offerings. This study explored the possible differences or similarities in the perspective of both faculty and students of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) regarding the adoption of the LMS during and after the COVID-19 restrictions. In explaining how LMS is adopted or rejected, the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) were used for this study. With the use of a qualitative research approach and case study, data was gathered from eight students and eight faculty members purposively sampled from both the Communication and Business Schools of AUCC. Data gathered was thematically analysed with the attributes of DOI and TAM. The data collected found that the participants had divergent views concerning the attributes of DOI and TAM in their adoption or rejection of the LMS. Some students preferred the new LMS because they can download it and run it on their smartphones hence having an advantage over the previously used portals that only gave them access to their grades. With compatibility, all the respondents indicated that the new LMS did not require any lifestyle change. To the faculty, it is just like an extension of the old portal previously used. For this reason, AUCC faculty are not using it effectively, and sometimes it is not used at all. The study concludes that students and faculty alike need the necessary support to maximize the use of LMS for curriculum delivery, especially during an outbreak of a pandemic like COVID-19.

KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-EFFICACY OF TEACHERS INTEGRATION OF ICT INTO BASIC INSTRUCTION

2023-06-26T18:16:08+00:00

The use of technology in education has become an unstoppable force in recent years. However, its usefulness largely depends on the success of its integration into teaching and learning. Unfortunately, the majority of teachers do not incorporate it into their classes. The study aimed to test teachers’ knowledge and self-efficacy belief towards integrating Information Communication Technology into teaching and learning at the elementary level. In particular, this research focuses on Junior High Schools in the Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative research approach. The results showed that the teachers had high knowledge about ICT and strong positive self-efficacy beliefs on ICT integration into the delivery of their lessons.

HOUSEHOLDS’ LIVELIHOOD ADAPTATION STRATEGIES AFTER THE CLOSURE OF LARGE-SCALE JATROPHA INVESTMENT: A CASE OF MION DISTRICT IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

2023-06-26T17:27:33+00:00

African possesses the largest land acquisition ratio as compared to other continents. Based on this, a Biofuel Africa Ltd a Norwegian biofuel company acquired over 23, 000 hectares of arable land for the cultivation of Jatropha in Mion District which created job opportunities, improved health care facilities and ensured access to quality education. All these resulted in the improvement of the livelihood conditions of the rural populace. However, due to due to lack of a ready accessible market, unfavorable weather conditions, pest and disease damages, low yield, and high cost of maintenance of farming logistics led to the seizure of operations by the Biofuel Africa Ltd. What then becomes the livelihood condition of the locals who depended on operations of the Biofuel Africa Ltd operations for survival. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to investigate the households’ livelihood adaptation strategies after the closure of large-scale Jatropha investment in the Mion District in the Northern Region of Ghana. The case study framework, simple random sampling technique, close-ended questionnaire as well as a semi-structured interview guide were used for this study. The study’s findings revealed that the adaptation strategies intensive farming, mixed cropping, shared land with relatives or friends, acquisition of land from other communities, petty trading, migration, encroachment, off-season farming and multiple strategies had a marginal positive effect on their livelihood outcomes. It is therefore recommended that land lease should be done within a midterm period with subsequent renewal. This will create an enabling environment to allow the rural population to return to their land if the company decide to stop operating

INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (IMJRE)

2023-06-24T20:28:27+00:00

International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research and Education (IMJRE) is managed by the International Multidisciplinary Conference for Postgraduate Students (IMCfPS) Secretariat of the University of Education, Winneba Ghana. It publishes high quality manuscripts that are of international significance in terms of design and findings and promote collaboration by international team of researchers to create special issues on topics in education.

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS’ SELF-EFFICACY BELIEFS IN TEACHING MATHEMATICS

2023-06-26T18:04:51+00:00

The study sought to find out the Senior High School teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs for Teaching Mathematics. The research design adopted for this study was a mixed method. The survey research method used a questionnaire to collect data, a semi-structured interview guide was also used in the collection of first-hand information. The researcher used the simple random sampling technique to select thirty (30) Mathematics teachers and 30 students in senior high schools in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region. The questionnaires were administered to mathematics teachers and interviews were conducted for the students to ascertain first-hand information. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the questionnaires and the interview data was analyzed thematically. Findings showed that the overall mean of (4.57, SD=0.57) which means teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs for teaching SHS Mathematics is high. The interview with the students also confesses the level of Senior High School Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs for Teaching Mathematics to be high as well. Therefore, it was concluded that even though the teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs for teaching SHS mathematics were high it does not contribute to the performance of the schools in the final examinations. It was therefore recommended among others that a probe should be launched into why the Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs for Teaching Mathematics could not contribute to better performance of students in Mathematics

THE IMPACT OF THE USE OF THE PROBLEM-SOLVING APPROACH IN LINKING CLASSROOM MATHEMATICS TO REAL-LIFE ACTIVITIES ON LEARNERS’ PERFORMANCE

2023-06-26T17:11:00+00:00

The study aimed to determine the impact of using the Problem-solving approach to link classroom mathematics to daily life activities on learners’ performance. The constructivist theory and Polya's problem-solving approach were employed to create a link between classroom mathematics and real-life mathematical perspective. A sample of two intact classes comprising 101 students was used for the study. The control class received the traditional instruction, while the experimental class was treated with the designed intervention. The results indicated a statistically significant improvement in the post-test of the Experimental Group. It is recommended that teachers should endeavour to use the problem-solving approach in teaching to enhance learners' performance.

EFFECT OF THE USE OF GEOGEBRA ON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN REFLECTION

2023-06-26T18:19:45+00:00

The study sought to ascertain the effect of the use of GeoGebra on junior high school students’ performance in reflection. The study employed quasi-experimental non-equivalent pretest-posttest design. One hundred and ten (110) JHS two (2) students from two school were assigned to control and experimental group. Data was collected using test in the form of pre-test and post-test. Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, independent sample t-test and Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The findings indicated that students’ performance in the experimental group on post-test improved significantly as a result of the intervention (GeoGebra). Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that teachers incorporate GeoGebra in teaching and learning of reflection to facilitate better learning outcomes

TEACHER-TRAINEES’ BACKGROUND IN TEACHING AND LEARNING OF MATHEMATICS

2023-06-26T17:55:14+00:00

This study investigated teacher trainees’ preference for enrolling in the college of education programmes and their conceptual understanding of mathematics. The study employed the quantitative research approach where purposive and convenience sampling techniques were adopted to select 641 third-year teacher-trainees of the 2019/2020 batch from three colleges of education in the Volta Region. The instrument for data collection was developed and structured from reviewed literature and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The 21-survey items were administered to 842 participants at Akatsi, Peki, and St. Francis Colleges of Education. At the Junior High School and Senior High School levels, teacher-trainees below the age of 25 years performed better in mathematics than those above 25 years and only 20.3% and 24.6% studied Sciences at the SHS and the College of Education respectively. As low as 34.9% did not want to become teachers, nevertheless, 72.9% desired to teach mathematics after graduation. The study would enable the Colleges of Education to meet the goal of mathematics learning as stipulated in the National Curriculum Framework of 2005 (the ‘mathematization’ of the child’s thinking). On average, teacher trainees have relatively good knowledge and interest in the teaching and learning of mathematics. They should, therefore, be guided in introducing them to effective instructional strategies with special reference to constructivism.

GENDER INFLUENCE OF COLLEGE TUTORS PERCEPTION OF ICT INTEGRATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING IN VOLTA REGION OF GHANA

2023-06-24T21:01:59+00:00

One of the key areas of research in education has been the gender variations in academic performance. This seems to be reflecting among teachers well, particularly because it may reveal potential gaps and inequalities in particular areas. While these disparities have mostly been studied in traditional fields like math, reading, and science, the body of experimental research on ICT literacy is far smaller yet is rife with interesting results. Purpose: This study investigated the sex influence on Colleges of Education tutors’ perception of ICT integration in teaching in Volta region of Ghana. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional analytic survey design with 121 participants. The Tutor ICT Integration Perception (TIIP) questionnaire which consists of 12 items was used to elicit information from selected tutors. Data collected was analysed using a median and Mann- Whitney U sample t – test. Three variables of tutor ICT integration perception were considered; tutor competence, improve tutors’ teaching and student learning and no effect on lesson delivery in relation to sex influence. Result: The result showed that majority of the tutors disagreed with most of the statements and there was no significant sex difference influence on tutor perception. Conclusion: It is concluded that integration or no integration of ICT in the classrooms should be anticipated from all tutors irrespective of their gender. Therefore, there should be in-service courses for tutors on ICT use and pedagogy.

ASSESSING GUIDANCE SERVICES IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN GHANA: A CASE OF A SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SUNYANI WEST DISTRICT

2023-06-26T18:09:56+00:00

The study assessed guidance services in a senior high school in the Sunyani west district of Ghana. A mixed-method approach was employed for the study with the concurrent triangulation strategy as the design. The population of this study comprised all the Green Track students of the school. The sample size was 122 respondents made up of 120 students and two counselors. The students were selected through the convenience sampling method while the two counsellors were purposively selected. Instruments for data collection were questionnaire and semi-structured interview guides. The study revealed that all the students were aware of counselling departments as well as guidance services. The study recommended that the Management of the school should provide facilities like counselling offices, magazines, and audio and video tapes, for effective guidance and counselling services