ISSN 2329-9843
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 336-347, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of self-concept and academic performance in Math and English among High School Students in Kenya
*Jerome Alan Sparks, Knute L. Philbin and Regis Theodore Bettis
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Indiana.
*Corresponding author Email: [email protected]
Accepted 14 June, 2015
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between self-concept and students’ academic performance in math and English for high school students in Kenya. Participants included 1990 students from two same sex boarding schools-one for boys and the other for girls. Results showed there were sex and grade differences in academic performance and most aspects of self-concept. Specifically, girls did better in math. Performance in English was not significantly different. Grade level differences showed a downward trend relative to norms in both math and English performance with the lower grade levels performing better. This trend possibly related to the changing standards by the teachers. On the self-concept measures, boys rated themselves significantly higher than girls except for physical appearance. As the students progressed through each grade level, their perceptions of self increased. Study implications are discussed.
Keywords: Self-concept, academic performance, Math, English, high school, Kenya
Knute L. Philbin and Regis Theodore Bettis, *Jerome Alan Sparks
Page: 336 - 347
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 412-416, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Physically challenged students, support systems and coping strategies: A case study of University of Nigeria, Nsukka
*Ogbodu I. Festus, Onoriose M. Jacenta and Winke E. O
Department of Social Work, Babcock University, Ikenna, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 27 June, 2015
Abstract
Physical disability of any form usually places the individual at some form of disadvantage in our Nigerian society. However the extent to which a disability affects an individual maybe determined by the coping strategies he/she adopts in activities of daily living and also the institutional support available to him/her. The study sought to find out coping strategies and institutional support systems available to physically challenged undergraduates in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Ninety-two undergraduates who are physically challenged were used for the study. Questionnaire and focus group discussion were used in data collection. Findings show that roommates, friends and relations were being relied upon by the respondents for their activities of daily living. Also, apart for members of their families, there are insufficient institutional support mechanisms available to them. The study also made recommendations on how to better the lot of undergraduates who are physically challenged.
Keywords: Institutional support, coping, physically challenged, activities of daily living.
*Ogbodu I. Festus, Onoriose M. Jacenta and Winke E. O
Page: 412 - 416
Review
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (6), pp. 373-378, August, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Introducing environmental education in teaching foreign language to young learners
*Gökhan Çetinkaya, Emre J. Öztürk and Eray S. Ismail
Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, Kocaeli University, İzmit, Turkey.
Corresponding Authors. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 20 June, 2015
Abstract
Due to growing environmental problems, the need for increased environmental awareness becomes necessary. One of the ways to help people increase their awareness is via education. It is often argued that the outcomes of environmental education are positive if it started at an early age. However, when such an education is given limited to the content of certain courses (e.g. science, biology) the benefits will be restricted. The current study highlights Turkish efforts for environmental awareness and it aims to shed some light into ways to integrate environmental education to English as a foreign language lessons which are offered at the primary level. The paper argues when environmental education is given as a constituent of foreign language lessons at the primary school, children will gain multiple benefits such as developed environmental awareness and meaningful second/foreign language learning.
Keywords: Environmental education, environmental awareness, children, young learners, ELT, content-based instruction.
Emre J. Öztürk and Eray S. Ismail, *Gökhan Çetinkaya
Page: 373 - 378
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 225-234, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full length Research Paper
A study of the stress levels and coping strategies of non-UK students studying at the University of Manchester, UK
*Ruth F. Grenger, Tim Clive Baillie and Andrew Sawers
Department of Education, University of Nottingham, PO Box 220, Nottingham, England.
*Corresponding Authors. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 9 May, 2015
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate stress levels, experiences of stress and coping strategies of non-UK students studying at the University of Manchester, UK. The main purpose was to consider their perceived stress levels, their experiences of stress and their coping strategies and to link these to the continents from which they came, their gender and whether they were graduates or undergraduates. This research consisted of two phases. The first phase was a survey that used self-administered structured questionnaire of 329 non-UK students who completed the perceived stress scale (PSS), the inventory of college students recent life experiences (ICSRLE) and the coping inventory for stressful situations (CISS) . In addition, a further 74 UK students completed only the (PSS). Phase two was a qualitative study consisting of open-ended in-depth interviews of 16 volunteers. In all, 403 students participated in this study. Key findings indicated that, time pressure and work demands were the non-UK students’ most stressful experiences. Anxiety, academic alienation and future academic prospects and unfamiliarity with the educational and cultural norms added to their difficulties. Gender was the most significant predictor of non-UK students’ stressful experiences, whilst female students expressed higher levels of distress than their male counterparts. In addition, task and avoidance strategies were used by all non-UK students to cope with stress, but European students tended to use more adaptive coping strategies than did Asian and African students.
Keywords: Stress, coping, culture shock, graduates, undergraduates, gender.
*Ruth F. Grenger, Tim Clive Baillie and Andrew Sawers
Page: 225 - 234
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 279-289, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full length Research Paper
Setting up a standard e-learning environments for higher education
*Usama U. Gomaa, Muhammed W. Rahman and Taha Abdel Webb
Faculty of Computers & Information Sciences, Misr University for Science and Technology, 6th of October City, Egypt
*Corresponding author E-mail: usama_gomaa09 @yahoo.com
Accepted 10 June, 2015
Abstract
With the ever-increasing integration of online learning (or e-learning) into university courses, there is strong need for practical guidelines and recommendations to facilitate the development and delivery of pedagogically effective e- learning environments. An investigation by Siragusa (2005) examined factors which make for effective instructional design principles and learning strategies for higher education students studying within these learning environments. Surveys were administered to students and lecturers in Western Australian universities which revealed numerous areas of students’ e-learning experiences which they had perceived as being successful and those needing improvements. This paper presents a model containing 24 sets of recommendations that were developed from the study’s survey findings. The 24 recommendations accommodate the varying pedagogical needs of learners as well as modes of course delivery. For each recommendation, a pedagogical dimension is presented to illustrate the pedagogical needs and instructional requirements. These 24 dimensions, which are grouped within nine main sections, highlight the decisions which need to be made during the instructional analysis, design, delivery and evaluation phases of e-learning environments in higher education in order to optimise their pedagogical quality.
Keywords: Quality e-learning environments, higher education, pedagogical quality optimisation
*Usama U. Gomaa, Muhammed W. Rahman and Taha Abdel Webb
Page: 279 - 289
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 517-523, November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Causes, symptoms and coping strategies of technostress among Librarians in University libraries
*Timicruo B. Silver, Ojobor Smith and Ogunbor O. Taremi
Department of Curriculum Studies, Faculty of Education, Federal University Otuoke, Beyelsa, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 9 June, 2015
Abstract
The paper seeks to examine the causes, symptoms and coping strategies of technostress among librarians in university libraries. The descriptive survey method was employed using the questionnaire to collect data from respondents in 5 university libraries in Edo and Delta State. The data generated were analyzed by gender using frequency counts and percentages. The findings of the investigation show that majority of the librarians (both sex) experienced technostress using computers and it related technology, as a result of technological changes. And to copy with technostress in their various working places, they agreed to the various coping strategies and plans. Among the recommendation made were, management should organize technology base training in order to make them comfortable with new technology and qualified Information technologist should be employed to maintain the computers and it related technology in order to provide comfort to librarian.
Keywords: Computer, technostress, symptoms, causes.
*Timicruo B. Silver, Ojobor Smith and Ogunbor O. Taremi
Page: 517 - 523