EMERGING ISSUES IN STEM INTERNSHIP-TEACHING PRACTICE (TP) AND STUDENTS’ INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE (SIWES): CHALLENGES & PROSPECTS
Abstract
One of the characteristics of a standard profession is the inclusion of internship in the curriculum. TP is a step in making teaching the most precious, noble, enviable and standard profession. It is a sheet anchor for teacher education programmes. According to TDP (2019) TP is perhaps the most important component of any pre-service programme. It is the student teacher’s first direct experience of classroom teaching and it is one of the most important milestones in their professional development. It is a critical period when trainee teachers put all the learning from their time in College into practice and start to understand what it means to be a teacher.
ASSESSMENT OF MUSCULAR STRENGTH OF THE STUDENTS OF AMINU KANO COLLEGE OF ISLAMIC AND LEGAL STUDIES, KANO STATE
ABSTRACT
This study assessed the muscular strength of students of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies. To achieve the purpose of the study, two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A descriptive design of survey type was adopted for the study. The population for this study was 12, 072 students and a sample of 380 students of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies Kano were drawn through a multi-staged sampling procedure. Simple frequency counts and percentages were used to organize and describe the demographic characteristics of the respondents. Inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test hypothesis one and independent t-test was used to determine the difference between the male and female students in hypothesis two. The results of the study revealed that students of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies have significant muscular strength (χ² = 48.6, p < 0.05). Also, male students of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies do not significantly differ (tcal = 0.587, p > 0.05) from their female counterparts in their muscular strength. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended among others that students of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies should be encouraged as much as possible to further develop their physical fitness through daily physical activities because doing so will develop their physical fitness as well as free them from diseases, such as back pains, leg pains and hypertension.
PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF BIOLOGY EDUCATON IN NIGERIA: A REVIEW
ABSTRACT
Biology as a branch of science plays a vital role in providing knowledge of relevant concepts, scientific skills, environment and natural phenomena. Biology education has been widely acknowledged as a way of promoting economic development, eliminating poverty and introducing social welfare. This paper, analyses some prospects of biology education such as many applications in natural and health care environment, understanding of living system and critical thinking, career working in educational institution or industry among others. It also analyses some challenges facing biology education such as shortages of professionally qualified biology teachers, inadequate fund, lack of teaching and learning facilities and lack of proper curriculum development. Recommendations made include provision of teaching and learning facilities in schools, adequate funding of schools, reform of biology education curriculum. This will help to improve biology education and its contribution in Nigeria.
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS THAT DETERMINE CAREER CHOICE AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF KANO METROPOLIS
ABSTRACT
Career guidance is a planned assistance to students, in developing goals and choices related to their educational and vocational future. It creates understanding of the many problems that confront students in their immediate and long term planning and also helps them to determine means of overcoming them. This survey investigates the factors, like career counseling, family background and environment that influence career aspiration among female students in senior secondary schools within SabonGari, Kano metropolis. Four (4) research questions guided the study. Data were obtained through questionnaire distributed to 100 female students selected randomly from five (5) schools within the study area. It was observed that the greatest influencer of female students’ career choices is guidance and counseling services in their schools (56%) while parental influence is second with 37%. Environmental and peer factors is third with 7%. It was also discovered that literate parents tend to impose particular career on their children for various reasons, while less literate parents attach values to other areas of life which invariably prevent their children from aspiring for certain occupation. It is therefore recommended among others that the role of professional counselors in schools should be strengthened. Also parents, through the instrumentality of Parents Teachers’ Associations, should be enlightened in order to enable them positively influence their children career choices.
EFFECTIVE MICRO-TEACHING ACTIVITIES AS STRATEGY TOWARD ACHIEVING TEACHING PRACTICE EXERCISE IN THE NIGERIA CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION
ABSTRACT
Microteaching exercise has been in calculated in teacher preparation programme of the Nigerian certificate in education. Passing microteaching theory and practicum is one of conditions for allowing students to go for teaching practice exercise. This paper addresses the need for effective microteaching programme for quality teaching practice exercise in the Nigerian certificate in education programme. The paper highlights the importance of microteaching toward qualitative teaching practice exercise. The paper goes on to explain the concept of teaching practice and microteaching as a medium for effective teaching practice exercise. Finally the paper discusses the justification of microteaching in the teacher preparations programme and made some recommendation for effective microteaching for quality teaching practice exercise in the Nigeria Certificate of Education programme.
DESIGNIG OF PHARMACEUTICAL STOCK EXPIRING DATE MONITORING SYSTEM: (A CASE STUDY OF UGOLAB PHARMACY KANO)
ABSTRACT
The spread of substandard, spurious, falsely labeled, falsified, or counterfeit (SSFFC) medicines has been a global concern. Their prevalence increasingly threatens public health by jeopardizing patient safety, leading to treatment failure, contributing to development of drug resistance, and possibly leading to diminished confidence in health systems. This project illustrates the designing and implementation of a Pharmaceutical Stock Expiring Date Monitoring System with stock alert system. The aim of this project is to improve accuracy and enhance safety and efficiency in the pharmaceutical store. This work designed and modeled an Integrative computerized pharmacy inventory system that would have the capability to improve pharmacy drugs quantity tracking, accurate financial records and account balance and give alert for any expired drugs at a specified period. The specific objective of the system is to provide better security for securing and controlling expiring date of medications in the pharmaceutical company, saves space, reduces pharmacy storage footprint, aids in Joint Commission compliance by providing complete audit trail of all transactions and gradually eradicate sales of expired drugs. In this paper, the structured system analysis, design methodology and Unified Modeling Language(UML) used for the model design was adopted. The interface between the front-end and the back-end is through Structure Query Language (SQL) in SQL express and through an application program interface (API) defined in Visual Basic. Net.It was recommended among others that there must be a continuous power supply which ought to be made accessible during the time of operation of the drug store.
ENHANCING THE STANDARD OF EDUCATION THROUGH EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION OF BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
Since the olden days, education has been described as a means of developing the society. Secondary education has since then, been of immense value to mankind. Many school certificate holders climbed to the peak of their chosen careers with only their school certificates. It prepared the youths fully for future challenges. However, basic education schools have started to decline in quality; it does not have the value it had before. The society now experience many problems arising from dwindling standards. School leavers are unable to defend the certificates they are holding. Hence, this paper examine how supervision could be used to improve the quality of education. It explores the possibility of developing a better education system in Nigeria through functional and effective supervision, of basic education schools in Nigeria.
USE OF MOBILE PHONE FOR DATA COLLECTION DURING TEACHING PRACTICE ASSESSMENT: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES
ABSTRACT
Considering the ubiquitous influence of mobile phones on modern society with continuous improvement in their functionalities, and decrease in related acquisition and operating costs, it is not surprising that mobile phones have been employed in a variety of ways to aid data collection efforts around the world. This paper critically x-rays the use of Mobile Phone for Teaching Practice (TP) Data Collection and assessment, to popularize its application towards resolving ambiguous challenges in TP data analysis. It discusses quantification of effective teaching as mean for evaluating teaching practice exercise, identifies several benefits associated with use of mobile devices for data recording and transmission during Teaching practice exercise. Initial cost of designing and launching of assessment form to the database, technology specification for application software built for such purpose among other challenges were identified. Training and retraining workshop is necessary to help users understand detailed procedure of assessment and method of data transmission were advocated.
TEACHER EDUCATION REFORMS: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA EDUCATION PROGRAMME
ABSTRACT
Although teacher education, both pre and in-service programs are offered in Nigeria by different teacher education institutions (as provided in the National Policy on Education), and varying degree of success have been recorded, various problems still confront the program with far reaching consequences in Nigeria’s educational system. This papers emphasis on the need for teacher education, the ideal teacher education, the teacher education and the national development, analyses the historical contexts of the teacher education reforms and development in Nigeria with a special attention on the roles of the Christian Missions, the colonial administration and that of Nigerian government after independence. It examines key recommendations of two (2) commissions (Phelps Stokes and Ashby) and their implications to the reforms and development of teacher education in Nigeria both during colonial era and after independence. The paper further discusses the influence of these and other reforms in shaping teacher education in Nigeria, the challenges still facing it, and finally suggested some recommendations and holistic approach to improve teacher education in Nigeria.
EFFECT OF POTASSIUM OIL CONTENT OF SESAME (Sesamum Indicum L) VARIETIES IN KANO SUDAN SAVANNA ECOLOGY OF NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
A field experiment was conducted during the 2018 rainy season at Dawakin Kudu and Teaching and Research Farm of Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Gaya Farm. The study assessed the effect of potassium on oil content of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties in Kano (Sudan Savanna ecology) Nigeria. The treatments comprised of four levels of potassium (0, 50,100 and 150 kg K ha-1) and two (2) varieties of sesame (Ex-Sudan and E8). These were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated four times. Results showed that there were no significant differences in oil content of sesame with an increasing levels of potassium at both sites. The variety E8 had the highest oil content. Also there was no interaction effect between potassium and sesame varieties in this study. This suggests that farmers in the sudan savanna ecology should adopt variety E8 as best variety for desired productivity in oil content in sesame.
THE USE OF PROCESS SKILLS IN TEACHING BIOLOGY CONCEPTS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS WITHIN KANO METROPOLITANT
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the use of process skill strategy on academic performance of Senior Secondary School II Biology Students in Kano metropolitan. One Research question and one null hypothesis guided the study. A Quasi-Experimental Design with pre and posttests, experimental and control groups were adopted. One Hundred and Sixty (160) students were randomly selected from four secondary schools within the research site. An instrument known as Biology Achievement Test (BAT) with reliability coefficient of 0.87 was used for data collection. The experimental group was exposed to teaching of biology concept using a particular process skill teaching method as Practical-oriented Instructional Strategy (PIS), where every lesson is accompanied with practical activities, while the control group was exposed to traditional method of teaching. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test statistics at P ≤ 0.05 levels of significance. The result showed that students exposed to process skill using practical-oriented instructional strategy performed superior than those exposed to traditional lecture method. This finding recommended among other things that teachers should be trained on how to use process skills strategy in teaching biology concepts by engaging them to attained training, seminars, and workshops conferences. There is also need to adopt the method of student centered teaching method as they are exposed to practical activities they equally enquire and find solution to a given problem.
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF MICROTEACHING ON PRE-SERVICE SCIENCE TEACHERS’ PREPARATION FOR TEACHING PRACTICE IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of microteaching on pre-service science teachers’ preparation for teaching practice in selected Colleges of Education in Oyo State Nigeria using Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, as a case study. The study adopted survey research method. The sample comprised of one hundred and fifty (150) pre-service teachers in second and third year teacher training programme in School of Secondary Education (Science Programmes) through the use of simple random sampling techniques. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents in the study. A test- retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument and reliability co-efficient of 0.91 was obtained on the instrument. The data collected were analysed through the use of descriptive statistics. The results of the study showed that 54% of pre-service teachers were adequately exposed to microteaching in the college. The study also revealed that pre-service teachers are averagely prepared for teaching practice in Colleges of Education in Oyo State. It was recommended among others that professionalism should be emphasized in teacher education in order to ensure that prospective teachers are professionally initiated by teachers who themselves are professionals.
THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM FERROCYANIDE IN ELECTROLESS COPPER BATH STABILITY
ABSRACT
This research work investigated the effect of potassium ferrocyanide as additive in electroless copper bath. An experimental work was conducted where two electroless copper baths were set up one containing the potassium ferrocyanide, formaldehyde, copper sulphate and other additives at room temperature while in the other bath potassium ferrocyanide was removed. An insulator of polymer material was used and the copper material were successfully coated on surface of the polymer material. The result analysis using SEM and EDS showed that, the deposition of copper materials on the polymer surface was uniform and smooth due to the presence of potassium ferrocyanide which acted as stabilizer in copper electroless bath while in the other set of bath in which the potassium ferrocyanide was removed, the electroless copper plating on the polymer material surfaces were rough, broad and irregular. Generally, potassium ferrocyanide reduces the rate of deposition of copper but at the same time stabilizes the process and made the coating uniform, regular and smooth on the surface of the material. Finally,It recommended that, Potassium ferrocyanide cyanide (K4Fe(CN)6complex) should be used in copper plating bath to prevent irregular, rough coating, and it should replace potassium cyanide (KCN) to prevent hazard as potassium cyanide(KCN) alone is poisonous.There should be a collaboration between higher institutions of learning and industries in research projects and SIWESS. However further research should be conducted on other complex compounds of cyanide to investigate their effect in electroless copper bath.
CHALLENGES OF PRE-SERVICE SCIENCE TEACHERS DURING TEACHING PRACTICE: BASIS FOR TEACHING PRACTICE ENHANCEMENT
ABSTRACT
The study assessed the challenges of pre-service science teachers during teaching practice course. Lesson observation was conducted on the pre-service science teachers while teaching Basic science subject at Basic education levels. The study employed descriptive survey design and the result revealed 68.70%, 43.80% and 58.30% of the pre-service teachers have challenges in some teaching skills such as class control, use of activities to facilitate learning and time management respectively. However, 71.90% occasionally showed fairness and inclusiveness in their interactions. The study attributed the challenges to the inability of the preservice science teachers in relating theory lessons learnt to real classroom teaching and inadequate assistance from mentors in the classroom environment. Some suggestions such as pre-teaching workshop and more synergy between Colleges and mentors’ school should be encouraged for better enhancement of teaching practice.
MENTOR AND TRAINEE ISSUES IN TEACHING PRACTICE
ABSTRACT
In this paper, a criteria was adopted to report on the findings of the study conducted with teacher trainees from the Kano metropolitan, Kano state in North Western region of Nigeria. The challenges and prospects of teaching practice programmes was reviewed. A case study method in the form of qualitative descriptive research was used for the methodology and design of the research. A sample of 2 out of every 5 teacher trainees who had spent a minimum of 2 years from different tertiary institutions was randomly selected. The data analysis was based on research questions and guided by the theoretical framework of the study. The findings reveal that teaching practice for the 21st century is plagued by challenges that affect the success of the programmes. Some of the challenges identified are that teacher trainees use wrong criteria to select practice schools, teacher trainees are not adequately prepared for teaching practice, mentors are not sufficiently involved in teaching practice because they lack knowledge of mentorship, and the assessment and awarding of teaching practice marks are subjective.
MODELLING OF SOIL RESISTIVITY, DRILL DEPTH AND OVERBURDEN THICKNESS IN PREDICTION AND VALIDATION OF SINKING PRODUCTIVE BOREHOLE
ABSTRACT
Portable water scarcity has constituted a big challenge in Ogbomoso city as a result of increase in population of inhabitants and abandonment of public water supply on the part of government. In view of this, general public have resolved to find alternative means of drilling boreholes to cater for their needs. This study developed models taking into consideration factors that are vital in prospecting for underground water such as borehole depth, overburden thickness and soil resistivity among others. Existing data from 104boreholes were gathered and the aforementioned three parameters from existing wells were modeled to estimate depth and lithological thickness once resistivity is known. The two equations (models) can be used especially to estimate borehole depth and validate it, in and around the study area of Ogbomoso. Statistical was used in the analysis of data pooled from all the wells visited and the result obtained showed that both borehole depths and soil resistivity are moderately correlated with correlation coefficient of 0.31. In the study area, two models were developed, same was tested and it was established to be okay though with minimal error, it is recommended that the models should be used after survey work has been carried out and correlate model results with that of geophysical survey carried out by the geologist.
TEACHING PRACTICE SUPERVISION IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD
ABSTRACT
Teaching practice (TP) is an important stage in student-teacher training. It is a process of producing a prospective teacher. One of the processes in preparing student-teachers to become master teachers is teaching practice supervision. However, at this time, there are some challenging issues with TP supervision, and as a result, the aim and objectives have not been met. Thus, this paper examines the objectives of teaching practice and TP supervision, as well as some of the contemporary challenging issues such as covid-19, the increase in student teachers' population, supervisors' attitudes, inconsistent supervisory visits, and time allocation for teaching practice programs, among others. Recommendations were made on how to ensure effective TP supervision. These include: The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) should review the existing curriculum for our colleges of education on teaching practice and supervision for the achievement of Nigeria's sustainable development goals in teaching and learning. E-learning resources for developing and maintaining teaching and learning programs should be considered considering the present situation of the covid-19 pandemic.
APPLICABILITY OF POLYA’S PROBLEM SOLVING PRINCIPLES IN TEACHING COMPONENTS OF VECTORS AND THE DIRECTION COSINES IN THREE DIMENSIONAL SPHERES
ABSTRACT
This paper applied Polya’s four-step of problem solving method to solve components of vectors and the direction cosine in three dimensional spheres. The paper identifies difficulties that students encounter in understanding the identified concepts. It identified four steps of Polya’s problem solving to include: understanding the problem, developing a plan, carrying out the plan and looking back. The four steps were applied in solving unit vector and the direction cosine of angles in three dimensional spheres. The paper concludes that Polya’s four-step of problem solving could be used in solving problems in other fields. Therefore teachers should apply it in other fields so as to guide students answer questions during examination. This paper recommends that: Polya’s four steps of solving problems should be applied to solve problems in other fields of study; Mathematics teachers should apply Polya’s problem solving principles in teaching mathematical concepts at all stages.
CORRELATION STUDY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDENTS DURING 2017/2018 AND 2018/2019 ACADEMIC SESSION TEACHING PRACTICE
ABSTRACT
This research work correlated students’ performance of Mathematics and Computer science at F. C. E. (T) Bichi between 2017/2018 to 2018/2019 academic session. The design of the study was correlation research design. Area of study was F. C. E. (T) Bichi. The study was guided by 2 research questions and 2 hypotheses. Population of the study consists of 603students from Mathematics and Computer science departments. The sampled population was 100 students. Simple random sampling was used for the study. Instrument used for the study was students teaching practice scores of two consecutive years. Mean, standard deviation and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the relationship that exist between two subjects. 𝑡-test statistics was used to test the relationship that exist between Mathematics and Computer science in two years. The study concludes that; the government, stake holders and administrators should improve quality of teacher education by ensuring that all necessary materials/skills needed for teacher education are provided for effective training and supervision. Based on data collected and analyzed findings revealed that: there exist a significant relationship between teaching practice achievement scores between Mathematics and Computer science. The study recommends that: teaching practice allowances should be improved and must be paid on time, student teachers should have good knowledge of subject matter before going in for teaching practice.
ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION AND SMEs: CURBING EMERGING CHALLENGES IN KANO STATE NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the effect of entrepreneurial education on small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) operators in curbing emerging challenges in Kano State, Nigeria, using 393 respondents selected from manufacturing, education, trade and other services in Kano state, Nigeria. SMEs’ efforts toward providing solution to the problem of unemployment in Nigeria and the world at large face stiff opposition from their conception as a result of many factors being responsible. The study employed cross sectional research design in which data was collected using questionnaire, results using Pearson’s linear correlation and regression analysis show positive and significant relationship. Entrepreneurial education on SMEs measure had a significant effect (F – statistic = 13.101; t – statistic = 3.620) and was significant. The study adds value to the growing body of knowledge in the field of entrepreneurial development activities. The study serves as a reference to anyone who is interested in establishing his personal business as it provides insight into the improvement of entrepreneurial education in starting a new business and also for any organization that is interested in achieving profitability or continue sustaining effective business venture for curbing emerging challenges in Kano state Nigeria. The study recommends that entrepreneurial education should be encouraged by inspiring deserved workers/operators to acquire more knowledge while in service by attending workshops, conferences and leadership training and ensure that such trainings are done frequently so that their abilities can be broadened and improve their curbing of emerging challenges.
WATARI MULTI-DISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
WATARI Multi-Disciplinary Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics Education presents in this edition emerging issues in STEM internship-teaching practice (TP) and students’ industrial work experience (SIWES): challenges & prospects. TP and SIWES stand out as critical aspects of teacher preparation. Our esteemed contributors beamed their searchlight on the various problems bedeviling the two exercises in various higher institutions and suggested ways of making them better by using technology especially in the supervision of student teachers involved the two exercises like use of mobile phone for data collection during teaching practice assessment. Also as unemployment is a topical challenge these days, we also present Entrepreneurial Education and SMEs and ways of curbing their emerging challenges. There is a presentation on the application of Polya problem solving in Mathematics. These and many more interesting articles are contained in this edition of WATARI Journal which is graciously sponsored by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund).
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