Quality and Relevance of Illustrations in Approved Primary School Textbooks

Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatrice J. Kipsat ◽  
Daniel Chebutuk Rotich ◽  
Duncan O Omanga
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Exploratory Survey ◽  
Textbook Development ◽  
Experienced User

However, some approved primary school textbooks in Kenya might contain low quality and irrelevant illustrations that inhibit their use. This study sought to evaluate the quality and relevance of illustrations in approved textbooks in Uasin Gishu County in Kenya so as to recommend strategies for determining their preparation and production. The objectives of the study were to establish the criteria for determining the quality and relevance of illustrations, to determine factors contributing to the quality and relevance of illustrations, and to examine challenges faced while dealing with illustrations. The study was guided by the gatekeeping theory. The researchers adopted an exploratory survey design involving 191 respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The findings established that specific criteria for determining the quality and relevance of illustrations were lacking, and that expertise, time, technology, and printing materials were factors that contributed to the quality and relevance of illustrations. The results revealed that primary schools experienced user-related challenges, and that publishers experienced preparation and production challenges. Vetting and approving authorities’ challenges emanated from the preparation of the illustrations. Important recommendations include that adequate criteria for determining the quality and relevance of illustrations be formulated by the vetting authorities, that the preparation and production of illustrations be given professional attention by the publishers, and that government support textbook development and involvement of subject teachers from all regions in the evaluation panels. The study has implications for decolonising teaching and learning.

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE PERFORMANCES OF HEADMASTERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN EBONYI STATE SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 6-16
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Adequate Funding ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Significant Difference

This study was carried out to identify the administrative role performances of headmasters of primary schools in Ebonyi state, southeast Nigeria. The study also identified the challenges faced the headmasters in performing their roles and strategies for handling these challenges. Three research questions were developed in line with the purpose of the study. Three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study is 1471 headmasters and 10,188 teachers, and the sample comprised 150 headmasters and 1000 primary school teachers from the area of study. This sample was drawn using multi-stage sampling technique. A–21 item instrument termed “Headmasters’ Administrative Role Performance Assessment Questionnaire” (HARPAQ) was used by the researcher for data collection. The instrument was first validated by experts and reliability was determined using Cronbach Alpha Statistics and the reliability got was 0.85. The administration and retrieval of instrument were through direct contact and use of research assistants with the respondents. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation for the research question while z-test statistics were used for testing the null hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that all the 21 items were accepted by the respondents. Findings on the hypotheses tested revealed that there was no significant difference in the mean responses of headmasters and primary school teachers from Ebonyi state on the items presented. Adequate funding, prudency and accountability in fund management, regular leadership training of headmasters, formation of formidable umbrella union for the headmasters to always interact with government on issues of school funding and management, involving the PTA and community in school management among others were recommended.

scholarly journals Epistemological and didactic aspects of elearning. The role of electronic models in teaching/learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 156-167
Author(s):  
Nicoleta Sămărescu
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Mathematical Thinking ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Scientific Practical ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The Impact

The eLearning instruments that have been researched in the last few years represent a necessity for the Romanian primary school also within the development of the alternative learning sources. These cognitive instruments as D.H. Jonassen names them, are utilized in the USA and are researched in other countries, too (France) in order to be implemented. The aim of this article is to implement and to recommend the utilization of electronic models: text and image processing sheets, presentation sheets, spreadsheets in the teaching­learning process in primary school. According to this aim, the research hypothesis has been issued in keeping with which we anticipate to be able to offer a well thought training in the eLearning field by updating the teaching and learning process with the help of the implementation of a set of electronic models which will increase the intercepting coefficient, the motivation, stimulation, imagination and enthusiasm degree for the learning actors and will redefine the teacher-pupil relation. The main objectives which derive from the hypothesis of our study confine to establishing the impact of electronic models of the eLeaming Set that has been proposed to be implemented on the actors primary school in the teaching-learning process; rendering the teaching-learning process efficient by implementing cognitive models with electronic support; working out an operational guide that contains scientific-practical recommendations and lesson models that utilize PeL; enriching the mathematical thinking. The study sample covers a population that wishes to know, to participate in the implementing of the new technologies. The sample was composed as follows: 121 teachers in primary schools, most of them students of the University in Pite

scholarly journals PINTAR BACA: ENRICHING PUPILS’ READING THROUGH STORIES OF ORIGINS OF NAMES OF PLACES IN SINGAPORE

2020 ◽  
pp. 93-118
Author(s):  
Siti Faridah Omar
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
School Level ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Reading Materials ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Primary School Pupils ◽  
Language Mastery

Reading is one of the basic skills needed to be enhance at the primary school level. Early research shows that pupils lack the interest in reading and this affected their ability to grasp vocab and understanding. Thus, Pintar Baca cards were introduced to help increase interest and level up pupils’ ability to understand the texts read. The Pintar Baca cards comprises of teaching and learning tools published by the Malay Language Centre of Singapore. These resources were designed to help primary school pupils improve their language mastery through reading. These cards were developed for Primary 2 to 4 and consists of 12 stories on the names of origins of places of Singapore. It is hoped that through these historical stories, we are able to instil interest and strengthen pupils’ knowledge on the historical background of some places in Singapore in a simpler and more interesting way. In addition, each story comes with a set of comprehension questions which can develop pupils’ understanding on the reading materials. A trialling session was done at 9 primary schools involving around 189 pupils. A thinking routine strategy were applied in the teaching and learning during the trialling sessions to support the use of the Pintar Baca cards. Research findings showed an increase in reading interest amongst pupils. In addition, the application of the thinking routines has helped improve pupils’ understanding of the contents of the stories and their language mastery.

scholarly journals Dual-role Conflict among Female Primary School Teachers

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawal Abdul Faragai
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Role Conflict ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Background Level ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Dual Role ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Primary School Teachers

This paper is a conceptual approach that stimulate able scholars that failed to ponder carefully on dual-role conflict among female primary school teachers. Of course, female primary school teachers are experiencing dual-role conflict. Also, presently female primary school teachers has dominated our primary schools teaching our children, on the same vain experiencing dual-role conflict which needed urgent attention from all stakeholders. The essence of this paper was due to the relevance of work and family matters. Scholars are really trying their best for enlightening all stakeholders on the issue of work-family role conflict in many discipline. In Education, related researches are always carrying on but the background level of education primary school is somehow been put aside with little concern. Considering this will help in making the work-life balance of female primary school teachers more sustainable. With this teaching and learning of our younger children would be efficient and effective. The researcher has proposed a conceptual framework in studying dual-role conflict among female primary school teachers. However, the qualitative interpretivist approach using case study or grounded theory would be applicable in conducting such type of research respectively.

scholarly journals Using Blended Learning To Facilitate The Mathematical Thought Processes Of Primary School Learners In A Computer Laboratory: A Case Study In Calculating Simple Areas

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Naidoo ◽  
R. Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
South African ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Traditional Teaching ◽  
Thought Processes ◽  
Grade 5

Primary school learners’ first encounters with mathematics in a traditional learning environment often create lifelong ‘math phobia.’(Papert 1980) The situation in a country emerging from an oppressive education system designed to educationally disempower the majority of the population is much worse. The typical scenario in a previously disadvantaged South African primary school is a classroom filled beyond capacity with the educator struggling to establish an effective learning environment. Thus the educator resorts to rote learning, drill and practice and ‘chalk and talk’ methods of teaching.  The individual needs and levels of learners are disregarded and blanket assessment methods are employed (Naidoo and Naidoo 2006b). Collaborative learning is minimal or non-existent. These traditional teaching strategies often disregard cultural and social factors, and pre-knowledge frames of learners.  Furthermore there is a dire shortage of qualified mathematics educators in the South African schooling system. Therefore there is an urgent need for alternative teaching and learning strategies to address the teaching of mathematics in primary schools. The introduction of networked computer laboratories to previously disadvantaged South African primary schools enables the use of computers as powerful tools to analyze the thought processes of learners during their early encounters with mathematics. A blended learning approach using a networked computing environment and LOGO mathematics to facilitate the teaching and learning of area in a Grade 5 class produced significantly higher grades and an enhanced learning experience, both for learners and the educator, as compared to a second Grade 5 class utilizing traditional teaching and learning methods only. This study entailed the use of software to promote collaborative learning encompassing both learner-learner and learner-educator interaction. Apart from the educator using the computer as a medium of instruction via the software, learners were allowed to actively provide input. Furthermore the software allowed the educator to view learners’ progress during activities and provide real-time input via the computer.

scholarly journals Impact of Early Childhood Education on Pupils’ Learning in Primary Schools in Kenya

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Jacinta R. M. ◽  
Rotich K. S.
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Education ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Simple Language ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
The Impact

<p>The research focused on the impact of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in the learning of pupils in primary schools in Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey design. The target population of the study was 616 teachers in the 32 public primary school in Starehe Division of Nairobi County. The sample comprised of 210 randomly selected primary school teachers. Data were gathered by use of questionnaire. Findings revealed that pupils who had gone through the ECE were able to acquire skills in basic counting, mathematics and speaking. Pupils who had not attended ECE classes had problems with grasping simple counting skills and simple language skills. They were not able to interact well with other pupils. The findings also revealed that pupils who had attended ECE classes were able to interact with the teachers better than those who had not attended ECE. Findings indicated that pupils who had attended the ECE classes had usually lower scores at the beginning in class one. Attending ECE classes enabled pupils become fluent in reading and in recognizing numbers in mathematics. The study concluded that ECE classes had prepared pupils to join primary school by enabling them learn some basic counting and speaking skills. The study recommended that parents should be sensitized on the need to take their children to the ECE centers before taking them to formal primary schools.</p>

scholarly journals An examination of imagery used to represent fundamental British values and British identity on primary school display boards

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlon Moncrieffe ◽  
Audrey Moncrieffe
Keyword(s):  
National Identity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Individual Liberty ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
British Identity ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Depth Interviews

It is observable that display boards are being applied widely by primary schools as visual representations for teaching and learning about the stated fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. The research presented by this article is based upon analysis of 27 display boards from primary schools across England, including findings from in-depth interviews with three primary school teachers. We wanted to identify and to understand how discourses of British national identity such as monoculturalism and multiculturalism are reified by schools and teachers through the imagery used on primary school display boards in the representation of fundamental British values. Our research makes an original contribution to the debate on teaching and learning about national identity, by offering empirical evidence both of representations of fundamental British values and of teacher interpretations of the policy.

TEACHING AND LEARNING IRISH IN PRIMARY SCHOOL: A REVIEW OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. John Harris and Lelia Murtagh. Dublin: Instituid Teangeolaiochta Eireann, 1999. Pp. 515. Ir £8 paper.

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-439
Author(s):  
Vera Regan
Keyword(s):  
Curriculum Development ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Planning ◽  
Research Report ◽  
Minority Languages

This volume is an extremely comprehensive research report. It speaks principally to language planning, language policy bodies, and curriculum development units in Ireland, as well as to teachers of Irish in primary schools. Although it targets a quite specific audience, it has many elements of interest to policymakers internationally, especially in relation to minority languages, and to researchers in SLA interested in areas such as bilingualism, immersion, the role of instruction, and input in the classroom.

scholarly journals A critical realist approach to literacy acquisition and development, with specific application to teacher traning and support in primary education in KwaZulu-Natal

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rookumani Govender
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Teacher Training ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Literacy Acquisition ◽  
The Government ◽  
Training And Support

In adopting a critical realist approach, this study offers a view of the complex social and contextual factors impacting on literacy acquisition and development in primary education, which is thought to be its main contribution to the field. The study‟s focus was on reading because reading is a fundamental part of literacy acquisition and development in primary education. Its purpose was to establish the state of current literacy teaching and learning practices in formal education so that, ultimately, recommendations could be made for teacher training and support. In the changing face of education in post-apartheid South Africa, provision has been made by the government to democratise education, and, in particular allow all students equity of access to key competences such as literacy. However, there are signs that all is not well at the level of implementation, for example, the low learner pass rate. In particular, teachers do not appear to be coping with the new dispensation, and are generally demoralised and demotivated. It must be stressed that the issue of literacy acquisition and development is complex and multi-layered, and not just a simple question of applying linguistic knowledge or skills. While literacy is a key competence for schooling and a key life skill, education is an essential variable in literacy acquisition and development. However, there are indications that the South African educational system is failing to deliver quality education to its learners. It has been estimated that illiteracy is costing the government as much as R550 billion a year. The fact remains that the main responsibility for teaching literacy rests with schools. Currently there is a literacy crisis in South Africa. This means that large numbers of children are not acquiring the high level skills in reading and writing that will enable them to take part in the new knowledge economy. The general aim of this project was to investigate the process of literacy acquisition and development in primary schools. The investigation focused specifically on how learners acquire literacy, and the involvement of teaching training and support for educators. It was anticipated that the investigation would identify gaps in the acquisition and development of literacy, as well as iii provide recommendations for teacher training and support: the findings might then feed specialist knowledge on the current state of literacy acquisition in formal education into the area of teacher training as to address the problem of lack of preparedness of teachers to deal with literacy acquisition. The project involved an investigation of literacy teaching and learning practices in three different types of public school in the Ethekwini Region, comprising ex-Model C, semi-urban and rural schools. The scope of the study was confined to three primary schools in KwaZulu Natal. The selected research sites were Joel1 Primary School (urban) in the Pinetown area, Milo Primary School The semiurban) in the Mariannhill area, and John Primary School (rural) in the Ndwedwe District. No attempt was made to generalise on the acquisition of language and development, and the provision of teacher training and support at these selected primary schools with reference to schools in the rest of South Africa. However, it is thought that the findings might well be relevant to some schools to enable them to cope and understand the role and function of language acquisition and development. The social factors which negatively impact on literacy acquisition and development were found to include features of the local social context, security for literacy resources and other physical challenges. Factors impacting negatively on teacher performance were inadequate teacher training, the impact of teacher unions, and the effects of poverty and HIV/AIDS. Some of the clearly intertwined challenges experienced at the Intermediate Phase education level include the problems of insufficient teaching staff numbers and insufficient numbers of competent and trained staff; lack of sufficient support for African language learners; large class sizes; lack of resources; and lack of quality leadership in schools. These challenges are the shaky ground upon which we build education for some of our learners, especially those in rural and poor areas.

scholarly journals Gramática lúdica y creativa. Una experiencia para hacer más accesibles los contenidos gramaticales en Educación Primaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-208
Author(s):  
Sergio Suárez Ramírez ◽  
Marta Mateos Núñez ◽  
Miriam Suárez Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Written Expression ◽  
Curricular Practices ◽  
Linguistic Code ◽  
Education Degree ◽  
Educación Primaria ◽  
Teaching Grammar

La enseñanza de la lengua y la literatura ha de ser una experiencia lúdica y sensorial para el alumnado, sobre todo a la hora de desarrollar contenidos curriculares referidos a la reflexión sobre la propia lengua y la gramática. Este trabajo expone una investigación empírica llevada a cabo mediante el trabajo de campo y la realización de actividades lúdicas en torno a los usos del lenguaje, desarrollada primero con 18 alumnos del Grado de Maestro de la Facultad de Educación de Soria (Universidad de Valladolid) y, después, con 274 escolares de seis centros de Educación Primaria de la ciudad donde desarrollan sus prácticas curriculares. La experiencia consistió en la realización, bajo la supervisión de sus tutores, de actividades a modo de juegos creativos en tres niveles lingüísticos: letras, palabras y textos. Los objetivos planteados fueron: despertar la curiosidad y el sentido critico del alumnado participante en la experiencia, tanto universitario como de la etapa de Educación Primaria; propiciar la reflexión sobre el código lingüístico para mejorar la expresión oral y escrita de los escolares; y facilitar la asimilación de diversos contenidos curriculares de forma libre, autónoma y cooperativa. Al presentarse como juegos, pudieron aplicarse con igual rendimiento en estas dos etapas educativas (Primaria y Universidad). En su realización, los errores se contemplaron como una oportunidad creativa. Los resultados obtenidos confirman el valor de la enseñanza de la gramática de forma lúdica y creativa. La mayoría de los escolares de Educación Primaria mejoró los resultados en cuanto a esfuerzo, corrección lingüística o lectura en voz alta; por su parte el alumnado universitario apreció la importancia de incluir recursos lúdicos en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje, al repercutir sobre una mejor actitud afectiva del alumnado, reforzando la importancia de la sugestopedia como metodología en la enseñanza lingüística. Este trabajo expone una experiencia basada en actividades lúdicas que han sido desarrollada primero con 18 alumnos del Grado de Maestro de la Facultad de Educación de Soria (Universidad de Valladolid) y, después, con 274 escolares de seis centros de Educación Primaria de la ciudad donde desarrollan sus prácticas curriculares. La experiencia consistió en la realización, bajo la supervisión de sus tutores, de actividades a modo de juegos creativos en tres niveles lingüísticos: letras, palabras y textos, con el objetivo de despertar la curiosidad y el sentido crítico, propiciar la reflexión sobre el código y mejorar la expresión oral y escrita de los escolares, al tiempo que se asimilaban de forma libre, autónoma y cooperativa diversos contenidos gramaticales. Al presentarse como juegos, pudieron aplicarse con igual rendimiento en diversas etapas educativas. En su realización se contempló el error como una oportunidad creativa (Rodari, 2008). Los resultados obtenidos confirman el valor de esta metodología, al tiempo que se destaca la ayuda que pueden ofrecer al profesorado para el tratamiento de contenidos académicos que, con enfoques más tradicionales, presentan más dificultades de asimilación entre el alumnado, debido a su escasa capacidad para motivarle y para despertar su interés, pero necesarios para desarrollar la competencia lingüística y comunicativa. Teaching language and literature should be a ludic and sensorial experience for students, especially when it comes to developing curricular content targeting students’ own reflection about their language and grammar. Data were obtained through the completion of creative and playful activities about language, developed first with 18 students of Education Degree in Soria (University of Valladolid) and, later, with 274 students from six Primary schools where university students developed their curricular practices. The experience consisted of the design and conduction, under school tutors’ supervision, of creative games which targeted three linguistic levels: letters, words and texts. More specifically, the objectives included: to awake learners’ curiosity and critical thinking; to promote reflection on the linguistic code for improving oral and written expression; and to facilitate the assimilation of several grammatical contents freely, autonomously and cooperatively. Since these activities were presented as games, they were applied with the same performance levels at university and at primary school settings. Mistakes were considered opportunities for creativity. The results obtained confirm the value of teaching grammar in a playful and creative way. Most of the Primary students improved their results in terms of effort, linguistic correction and reading aloud. University students highlighted the importance of including recreational resources in teaching and learning processes as this had a positive effect on primary school learners’ affective attitude. The results obtained reinforce the importance of suggestion-pedagogy as a method in language teaching. This work exposed an experience with 18 university students from Education Degree in Soria (University of Valladolid) who have been involved as part of their own university training and later they have applied this experience to 274 students from six schools of the city, during its curricular practices. This experience consisted, under the supervision of their tutors in Schools, in several activities applied as creative games with three linguistic levels: letters, words and texts, with the aim of awakening curiosity and critical sense, promoting reflection on the linguistic code and improve oral and written expression, while assimilating various grammatical contents freely, autonomously and cooperatively. When activities are presented as games, they could be applied with equal performance in various educational stages. In its realization, error was seen as a creative opportunity (Rodari, 2008). The results confirm the value of this methodology, while highlighting the help it can offer to teachers for the treatment of academic content that, with more traditional approaches, presents more assimilation difficulties among students, due to its limited ability to motivate him and arouse his interest, but necessary to develop linguistic and communicative competence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document