Olusesan Adeyemi Adelabu

Reviewof the Usage of E-learning Facilities by Economics Teachers in Eastern Cape Secondary Schools, South Africa

Abstract E-learning in South Africa and African countries is generally increasing and dramatically growing. However, while there is a great deal of knowledge about how e-learning is being used in developed countries, there is not much information on its usage by teachers in developing countries. Hence this study was to appraise the assessment of the usage of e-learning facilities by Economics teachers in secondary schools in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study adopted a survey research design. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to Economics teachers across government secondary schools in the province out of which eighty eight were retrieved and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study finds that most secondary schools lack the necessary e-learning devices for teaching and learning and therefore recommends the need for school management and government authorities to brace up to this challenge through provision of modern e-learning infrastructures.

Perception of Social Studies’ teachers on socio-economic integration in selected African countries

ABSTRACT Economic and social integration has been said to be the hallmark of good governance. This research aimed at assessing the awareness of Social Studies’ teachers in South-West Nigeria about the effects of economic and social integration in the region. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires through the use of random sampling. The objectives of the research were to examine the perception and also to assess the awareness of Social Studies’ teachers on the economic and social integration in South-West Nigeria. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. The field survey confirmed that some of these barriers were notably political in nature. They include: cultural values, religion and beliefs, needs, social themes and economy. The findings also identified the search for solutions to these barriers faced by the people in South-West Nigeria by providing an insight for further research regarding the institutional weaknesses and policy issues in this part of the world. The implications of the findings were that unless the limitations named above are resolved, the economic and social integration in the South-West Nigeria will continue to experience poor economic growth and development. Recommendations to overcome these barriers are suggested.

Wetland Loss in Makurdi Town and Its Environs in North Central Nigeria: Implication for Gender

ABSTRACT The study examined wetland loss in Makurdi Town and its environs in Benue State, North Central Nigeria 1976-2006. Remote Sensing Technology and Geographic Information System technology were used in carrying out its analysis. Four epochs of Land Sat images 1976, 1986, 1996 and 2006 were acquired, classified and analysed using Land use Land cover change analysis techniques. The result showed that between in 1976 to 2006 wetland had declined from thirty-seven percent to fifteen percent of the study area. The study concludes that there is significant loss in the total amount of wetland in the study area. The loss of wetland in the study area could have significant implication on gender due to potential impact on ecosystem function leading to loss in function and benefits the wetlands provide. The study recommends the protection of wetlands and further investigation in the loss of wetland in the entire region.

The Effect of Onset and Cessation of Raining Season on Crops Yield in Lafia

ABSTRACT The study was aimed at analysing the effect of rainfall onset and cessation trends on crop yields in Lafia town of Nasarawa State from 1980 to 2010. The data was collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Abuja for the said period. Data for crops yield were obtained from Nasarawa Agricultural Development project (NADP) Lafia from 1997 to 2010 for which data were available. The crop yields were used to examine the effect of onset and cessation on crops yield. Regression analysis revealed that that cessation of raining season has more effect on crops yield as compared to onset of raining season. Farmers and others interested in agro allied services should therefore ensure early planting of crops in order to avoid been caught up by the rainfall cessation.

A Comparison of Newton’s Method and Two of its Modifications for the Solution of Nonlinear Optimization Problems

ABSTRACT This paper presents two iterative modifications of the Newton’s method for solving unconstrained optimization problems. Each of the two methods requires an update formula which replaces an inverse matrix and maintains positive definiteness property. The methods are based on the recurrence of matrix factoriz ations. The paper also show the behaviour and performance of the methods at each iteration. Numerical results are presented to compare the performance of the Newton’s methods and the two modifications.

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in Higher Institutions of Learning

Abstract This study examined the uses of alcohol and drug abuse in Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) and the University of Botswana (UB). The sample comprised 350 University of Botswana students, randomly chosen from within the University of Botswana. Questionnaires were used to gather data from these students. The findings revealed that most students that were involved in the study were between the ages of 18-22 years old and were single in status (that is, they were not married). Furthermore, the study revealed that alcohol and drugs were prevalent in the University of Botswana. The study therefore, suggested that regular campaigns targeted at alcohol and drug users and addicts should be carried out in order to create awareness of the negative effects or impact of alcohol and drugs abuse in higher institutions of learning to the students.

Social Studies Teachers’ Perceptions of Benefits of Economic and Social Integration in the South-western States of Nigeria

Abstract The study investigated the perception of social studies teachers on social and economic integration benefits in the South-west, Nigeria. This study adopted descriptive survey research method. The sample of this study consisted of 486 social studies teachers, 162 secondary schools and 54 local government areas which were randomly selected in 18 senatorial districts in all 6 South -western States in Nigeria. Questionnaire was the major instrument developed and used for the study. The result of the findings showed that there is a positive multiple relationship among the two independent variables (social integration benefits and economic integration benefits) and social studies teachers perception (R= .538). This implies that the two variables are relevant and could influence social studies teachers’ perception. Also, 28.6 percent of the total variance in teachers’ perception is due to the social integration and economic integration benefits variables (Adjusted R2 = .286). This means that the remaining 71.4 percent is due to other factors and residuals. The findings being investigated for in this study is a continued and collective social and economic integration development strategy consciousness that would allow the people living in South-west Nigeria to enjoy social and economic integration benefits to the fullest while knowing their perceptions about it.

Study Document Validation and Mapping with User-profile for Collaboration

Abstract As study and publication remains a yardstick for scientific endeavours, it is not enough for researcher to only publish their papers, it is therefore paramount that the quality of research publications be put in check through validation of research document, ensuring research document submitted in a repertoire does not already exist and providing a possible forum for collaboration amongst researchers. The objective of the study was to use plagiarism detection in study document by comparing a researcher’s work with previous publications based on userprofile. Current studies in the field of automatic plagiarism detection for content archives concentrate on algorithms that compare plagiarized documents with potential unique records inside a huge collection of documents. The methodology compared suspicious documents against a set of potential original documents which have been filtered out from the large repertoire of documents based on the user profile. The researchers used two main algorithms which are the study document validation algorithm and text comparison (PlagCheck) algorithms coupled with user-profile to detect plagiarized document hence determine the validity of a study document. The framework was assessed by utilizing a test-set that contained occurrences of verbatim duplications and messages with little or no alteration. The result and performance evaluation showed the researchers’ system performed better and faster than existing systems, achieving the accuracy of ninety-eight percent (98%) over splat. The study was able to take care of the challenge of processing time of validation which is usually encountered in other Plagiarism Detection Systems (PDS).

Influence of Socio-economic Status on Truancy among Secondary School Students

Abstract This study examines the influence of socio-economic status on truancy among secondary school students in Nigeria. The aim of this article is, through a review of literature methodology, to investigate the extent to which the influence of socio-economic status on truancy among secondary school students in Nigeria could be reduced. The findings show that students that came from moderate family socio-economic background stayed at school more than the less privileged students who came from low family socio-economic background. In view of the above points, it is recommended that for vast punctuality of students to be adequately maintained within secondary schools in Nigeria, government should provide the necessary learning materials, conducive environment, sufficient and qualified teachers for effective teaching. In addition, the government should establish the monitoring and evaluating team to visit various schools and assess both teachers and students promptness. The study also recommends that all teachers should create positive interest among their students and encourage them to always show more interest on the school extra-curriculum activities or classroom activities in order to stay in the school. Parents should visits their children at schools for at least once or twice in a month and the students in question should be willing to learn at any point in time.

Evaluation of ICT as an Aid to Effective Teaching and Learning in Government Technical Colleges

Abstract The study sought to find the state of ICT as an aid to teaching and learning in the Government Technical Colleges in Oyo State, Nigeria. It is a non-experimental study, which involves the use of a simply survey research design where questionnaires were used to acquire necessary data for the research work. Simple random sampling techniques were utilized to select a sample of 75 instructors and 250 students from three Government Technical Colleges in Oyo state. The research findings revealed that sixty-eight percent of the instructors have had formal training of computer application and have average knowledge of new technologies although the findings further revealed that less than fifty percent of the instructors are able to use ICT instructional materials in teaching and learning due to the factors militating against the effective use of ICT as an aid to learning. Therefore, it is highly recommended that the federal, state and local governments as well as other stakeholders should be advised and involved in procurement of ICT materials as teaching and learning aids for technical colleges.