ISSN 2329-9843
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 254-259, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessment of reading skill of students with low vision while using low vision devices
*Aden E. Kutuny, Ronald A. Duale and Mildred M. Kiyiapi
Department of Educational Communication, Technology and Curriculum Studies, Mt. Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.
*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 6 June, 2015
Abstract
Reading is a basic human need. Low vision training programme was initiated in Kenya in 1994. Learners with low vision were to be trained to function as literate individuals in spite of the limitations brought about by low vision. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reading proficiency of low vision learners.The study was carried out in six schools for the visually impaired in Kenya. The respondents included seventy eight learners with low vision. Survey research design was used to collect data. Research instruments used were questionnaire, observation schedule and a reading proficiency test. Findings from the research were that learners with low vision faced monumental challenges when reading. Among the challenges they faced were following straight lines while reading with low vision devices, miscall of words and word attack skill problems. The study calls for curriculum adaptation to suit the reading needs of learners with low vision.
Keywords: Low vision, visual skills, visual efficiency, low vision devices.
*Aden E. Kutuny, Ronald A. Duale and Mildred M. Kiyiapi
Page: 254 - 259
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 315-320, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Charting a vibrant environmental literacy scale for potential teachers
*Tansu Nuri Evcen, Harun H. Teoman and Defne Bilge Tekin
Department of Primary Teacher Education, Faculty of Education, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 18 June, 2015
Abstract
With this study, a standard scale whose validation and reliability were tested will be contributed to literature in order to determine environmental literacy of prospective teachers. A case study was used as a research method. The data was gathered with 187 prospective teachers randomly selected from the different teacher education departments. In terms of the construct validity of the Environmental Literacy Scale for explanatory analysis, principal component analysis was used. At the end of the research, scale consisted 24 items. Cronbach Alpha was calculated as .86 and scale accounted for 54.36% of total variance. Environmental literacy of prospective teachers can be determined with the standardization of the scale under four sub-scales which are “Environmental Responsibility”, “The Balance of the Nature”, “Affective Environment”, and “Environmental Activities”.
Keywords: Environmental literacy, teacher education, prospective teacher, scale development
Harun H. Teoman and Defne Bilge Tekin, *Tansu Nuri Evcen
Page: 315 - 320
Review
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 509-511, November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
An investigation of the cultural diversity competency of future hospitality employees in a multicultural work environments
Lehlohonolo Mixwell Merwe
Department of Curriculum Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 8 June, 2015
Abstract
Although race, age, ethnicity and religious background influence the cultural attitudes of employees in the hospitality industry, it is clear that education has a greater role to play in engendering a spirit of acceptance and respect for people who may differ from us. The rationale behind this mixed design research was to investigate the cultural diversity competency of future hospitality employees in multicultural work environments. Graduates need to be educated in aspects pertaining to cultural diversity and in this regard, the role of the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) mentor as well as lecturers on a university campus, is critical in improving the cultural aptitude of new hospitality employees. There are very few curricular models which lecturers can follow to enable them to enhance the ability of their students to serve in the diverse work environments which exist in the industry. Informal learning opportunities and critical reflection of diversity issues can constitute an invaluable learning foundation for diversity related issues. This article seeks to tackle this question to an extent.
Keyword: Cultural Diversity, Work-Integrated Learning, mentoring.
Lehlohonolo Mixwell Merwe
Page: 509 - 511
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (5), pp. 417-422, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of factors influencing teachers to join the teaching profession and the strategies used by school management to motivate teachers
*Ababu Peter Joho, Kivutha E. Wahu and Simon R. Munya
Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education, University of Kabianga, Kericho, Kenya.
*Corresponding author Email: ababu_joho33@ kabianga.ac.ke
Accepted 19 June, 2015
Abstract
Job satisfaction is essential to continuing growth of education system around the world. Teachers are a crucial element of educational opportunity structures. In Kenya, the recent efforts by the government to introduce Free Primary Education and Subsidized Secondary Education programmes which led to an influx in enrolments, has raised concerns about student-teacher ratio in schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing public secondary school teachers’ job satisfaction in Busia district, Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to establish perceived factors that influenced teachers to join the teaching profession and establish the strategies used by school management to motivate teachers. The study was based on the Herzberg’s theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. Purposive sampling was used to select head teachers while simple random sampling was used to pick teachers from the sampled schools. A sample of 129 respondents was selected from a target population of 335 teachers and education officers. A pilot study was carried out to establish the reliability and validity of data collection instruments. A likert scale questionnaire and in depth interview guide were used to collect data from respondents. Data analysis was facilitated by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. The findings of the study were that teachers may be more satisfied in schools with good working environment if their terms and conditions are improved. The study recommended that; in-service courses for teachers to get equipped with current knowledge; and that the Government of Kenya should allocate more funds to the Ministry of Education for it to be able to employ more teachers to cater for the deficit and improve the methods of promotion in the teaching service so that many teachers grow faster.
Keywords: Job satisfaction, Public Secondary School teacher, perception.
*Ababu Peter Joho, Kivutha E. Wahu and Simon R. Munya
Page: 417 - 422
Research Article
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 240-243, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
The ups and downs of being a Non-native English teacher
*Bayazit O. Avci, Nabi Ayse Yeşilçay and Gökhan N. Akdoğan
Department of Educational Communication,Technology and Curriculum Studies, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey.
*Corresponding author Email: [email protected]
Accepted 19 May, 2015
Abstract
Despite the realization that the majority uses of English occur in contexts where English serves as a lingua franca, the “native speaker” authority is still prevalent in the field of English language teaching, especially in EFL contexts. The present case study was conducted with three Turkish teachers of English and investigated their opinions on the native speaker/non-native speaker dichotomy over an eighteen month period. Data collected by means of interviews revealed that there is still a lot of work to be done to empower novice English teachers, encourage them to rethink their roles in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) and help them overcome the deficit model of their own professional competence.
Key words: Native speaker/non-native speaker teacher dichotomy, EFL context
Dele Akeredolu and H. O. Ojudu, *Femi R. Rotimi
Page: 240 - 243
Review
International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 387-392, September, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Evolution and role of political apparatchiks in Ghana’s fourth republic
*Seth H. Ahwoi, Kwesi M. Terkper and Alex C. Dwomoh
Department of Political Science, Ashesi University, Accra, Ghana. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 18 July, 2015
Abstract
Political apparatchiks play a major role in ensuring the electoral victory of their respective political parties. They are also expected to strive hard to keep their parties in power to ensure that they deliver on their promises to make the life of the ordinary citizenry more comfortable and decent. However, their activities sometimes pose a severe challenge to governance. Using Ghana’s Fourth Republic as a cases study, this paper discusses the evolution and role of political apparatchiks and the challenges their activities pose to governance in Ghana.
Keywords: Apparatchiks; Governance; Ghana; Fourth Republic
*Seth H. Ahwoi, Kwesi M. Terkper and Alex C. Dwomoh
Page: 387 - 392