Africanizing Science Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 488-509
Author(s):  
Irene U. Osisioma

The development of Science and Technology has been positively associated with every nation's economic well-being and quality of life. Even though the importance of science in people's daily lives may not be readily noticeable, people engage in many science related activities and experiences, most of which enable them to make science-related decisions and choices every day. This implies that science education will continue to shape humanity, the environment, quality of life, sustainability of the planet, and peaceful coexistence. Effective participation in the scientifically and technologically driven world of the 21st Century implies a science education that produces scientifically literate citizens. This chapter provides justification for rethinking the way science education should be done in Africa generally, and Nigeria, in specific. Recommendations were made for the use of context-based science instruction as an effective way to Africanize science instruction.

Author(s):  
Irene U. Osisioma

The development of Science and Technology has been positively associated with every nation's economic well-being and quality of life. Even though the importance of science in people's daily lives may not be readily noticeable, people engage in many science related activities and experiences, most of which enable them to make science-related decisions and choices every day. This implies that science education will continue to shape humanity, the environment, quality of life, sustainability of the planet, and peaceful coexistence. Effective participation in the scientifically and technologically driven world of the 21st Century implies a science education that produces scientifically literate citizens. This chapter provides justification for rethinking the way science education should be done in Africa generally, and Nigeria, in specific. Recommendations were made for the use of context-based science instruction as an effective way to Africanize science instruction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 730-744
Author(s):  
V.I. Loktionov

Subject. The article reviews the way strategic threats to energy security influence the quality of people's life. Objectives. The study unfolds the theory of analyzing strategic threats to energy security by covering the matter of quality of people's life. Methods. To analyze the way strategic threats to energy security spread across cross-sectoral commodity and production chains and influences quality of people's living, I applied the factor analysis and general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis. Results. I suggest interpreting strategic threats to energy security as risks of people's quality of life due to a reduction in the volume of energy supply. I identified mechanisms reflecting how the fuel and energy complex and its development influence the quality of people's life. The article sets out the method to assess such quality-of-life risks arising from strategic threats to energy security. Conclusions and Relevance. In the current geopolitical situation, strategic threats to energy security cause long-standing adverse consequences for the quality of people's life. If strategic threats to energy security are further construed as risk of quality of people's life, this will facilitate the preparation and performance of a more effective governmental policy on energy, which will subsequently raise the economic well-being of people.


Author(s):  
Ana Lourenço ◽  
Fernando Martins ◽  
Beatriz Pereira ◽  
Rui Mendes

The right to play is crucial for the overall development of children. Several studies highlight the need to have time and space to play, especially at school where children spend much of their time. Unfortunately, in formal education the obsession with academic achievements sidelines and ignores the importance of play. The neglection of play had already reached a critical stage before the pandemic, so data are needed to realize how the right to play in school is presently affected. This paper aims to understand children’s play experience in primary education during the pandemic. It investigates what activities children participated in and what materials were used, and provides insight into the social interactions between peers. Furthermore, children’s quality of life is explored. A group of 370 Portuguese children answered a questionnaire on play and social interactions, alongside with Peds 4.0TM on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The results showed that recess still emerges as a significant element of children’s daily lives, but COVID-19 has brought limitations on play experiences and peer-interaction. It might also have impacted HRQOL, especially in emotional functioning. Since play, health and well-being are closely connected, play opportunities at school are crucial in helping children to thrive in the pandemic, and should be invested in.


1999 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-194
Author(s):  
Roy I Brown ◽  
Jo Shearer

Quality of life is now well developed in the disability literature yet there are few studies that relate to children. In this paper the implications of quality of life models for the field of inclusion are discussed. Quality of life is seen as an attribute of well being and the principles relevant to this are outlined. Inclusion is not seen simply as an educational process, for the authors argue that educational inclusion can only be effective when it is set within proactive community and family behaviour which is also inclusive. Together these concepts give rise to broad educational criteria and it is the discussion of these which forms the central focus of this paper. Implications for family and community as well as the education system including professional education are also discussed.


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Issouf Fofana ◽  
Yazid Hadjadj

The reliability of the power grid system directly contributes to the economic well-being and the quality of life of citizens in any country. [...]


Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110337
Author(s):  
Jane Goodwin ◽  
Priyanka Rob ◽  
Mark Freeston ◽  
Deborah Garland ◽  
Victoria Grahame ◽  
...  

Approximately 50% of autistic children experience high anxiety. Intolerance of uncertainty (tendency to react negatively to uncertain situations) is a key mechanism in the development and maintenance of anxiety. This study aimed to provide a descriptive, thematic analysis of the impact on uncertainty on the daily lives of autistic children and their families. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents and caregivers of 53 autistic children (including 3 dyads) aged 6–16 years to elicit examples of uncertain situations that the children found challenging and to explore the impact of these situations on family life. Thematic analysis revealed five overarching themes: child’s reactions to uncertainty, trying to reduce uncertainty, the impact of difficulties with uncertainty, the impact of uncertainty on parenting and the impact on parents. These findings provide a crucial understanding into the range of uncertain situations autistic children with anxiety experience. Anxiety-reduction approaches based on increasing tolerance to everyday uncertain situations could help improve well-being, quality of life and participation for autistic children and their families. Lay abstract Anxiety is common in autistic children. Research shows that this may be related to intolerance of uncertainty, which is a tendency to react negatively to uncertain situations. Understanding when, why and how autistic children respond to uncertainty is important in the development of anxiety programmes. We asked 53 (including 3 dyads) parents of autistic children about the types of uncertain situations that cause difficulties for their child and how uncertainty impacts on daily life for them and their families. We found that uncertain situations made autistic children and their families feel sad, worried, frustrated and angry through the themes: child’s reactions to uncertainty, trying to reduce uncertainty, the impact of difficulties with uncertainty, the impact of uncertainty on parenting and the impact on parents. There are lots of situations that are anxiety provoking for autistic children because of uncertainty, such as school. Programmes to reduce anxiety and increase autistic children’s ability to cope with everyday uncertain situations could improve quality of life for autistic children and their families.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2410
Author(s):  
Jordi Cravioto ◽  
Hideaki Ohgaki ◽  
Hang Seng Che ◽  
ChiaKwang Tan ◽  
Satoru Kobayashi ◽  
...  

Despite the general agreement about the benefits that electrification brings to well-being, few studies have concentrated on the actual effects of electrification on the diverse non-economic dimensions of quality of life (QoL). In a multi-disciplinary and cross-institutional effort, a group of natural and social scientists have studied three electrification schemes (grid extension, centralised hybrid, and solar home systems) in four rural villages in Malaysia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Using a novel approach with scales on several QoL measures (self-reported QoL and five QoL sub-domains; psychological, physical, social, and economic well-being; occupations; and total active time), this article presents an analysis of the effects of rural electrification on human well-being. With original data surveyed in the villages through a baseline prior to electrification and an endpoint several months after, the effects were examined through suitable statistical methods. Overall, we confirmed a positive effect of electrification in self-reported QoL levels as well as psychological, physical, and social well-being. There was, however, a certain reduction recorded in economic well-being. In the sub-domains of QoL, there were no changes after electrification in satisfaction levels concerning time use, time spent alone, housing, and personal safety, but a positive effect on satisfaction levels was observed in cooking. Finally, in terms of occupation, we observed no changes in the total hours dedicated to work and no prolonged active time on usual activities in the household. The findings provide support to the hypothesis of a positive effect on general QoL from electrification, but also suggest more precisely that, for specific QoL sub-domains, the effect might not necessarily exist, or in fact, may be negative. The article concludes by discussing differences determined by cultural aspects and technological limitations in each of the systems under study.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 362
Author(s):  
Nor Hafizah Mohamed Harith ◽  
Hazizan Md. Noon

The trend of urbanization in Malaysia is increasing and presently sixty-seven percent (67%) of the Malaysia’s population are living in the urban regions. Therefore, the concern over the quality of life of the urban residents becomes more crucial in the Malaysian government’s policy. It can be predicted that the urban population will face greater obstacles in availing the opportunities and coping with the challenges of living in the cities. In this regards, the economic well-being of the urban population is the central aspect affecting their subjective well-being (SWB). Hence, this research aims to explore how the economic well-being affects the subjective well-being (SWB) among the selected respondents who live in the major cities in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Adopting the Allard's dimensions of welfare, this study explores the subjective meaning of life satisfaction among the administrative personnel of an urban public university, namely Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). Sixteen key informants from four different categories of administrative staff of the University’s main campus in Shah Alam, Selangor were engaged in the researchers’ in-depth interviews. The main findings of this research have shown that the responses were centred on the coping ability adopted by the UiTM administrative staff to survive life in the urban areas.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Economic Well-Being; Subjective Well-Being ; UiTM Administrative Staff;Malaysian Quality of Life (MQLI)


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Mo ◽  
Virginia Sun ◽  
Mark C. Hornbrook ◽  
Marcia Grant ◽  
Elizabeth Ercolano ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Ostomies have substantial impacts on many aspects of cancer survivors’ daily lives. We sought to describe how stoma location may affect clothing style, ostomy appliance leakage, skin irritation around the stoma, weight changes after ostomy surgery, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS A pooled dataset was obtained from three multi-site studies that had used the modified City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy questionnaire to measure HRQOL and ostomy-specific concerns in cancer survivors with ostomies. Questions pertaining to stoma location, clothing issues, weight change since ostomy surgery, and HRQOL were analyzed. Ostomy bag change frequency was assessed in two of the three studies. Respondents were categorized by self-reported stoma location quadrant: lower left side, upper left side, lower right side, or upper right side. Predicted means for HRQOL and individual items were generated for every stoma location, adjusting for sex, ostomy type (fecal or urinary), and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS Of 607 cancer survivors included in this analysis, abdominal quadrant ostomy groups were: 138 (23%) upper left, 298 (49%) lower left, 51 (8%) upper right, and 120 (20%) lower right. The majority of participants (>50%) reported changing their clothing styles due to their ostomies. Cancer survivors with ostomies on the lower right side had significantly more weight gain after ostomy surgery (p=0.02) and reported more frequent ostomy bag changes or emptying over a 24-hour period. Overall HRQOL did not vary by stoma location, with predicted means of 6.90 to 7.18 (out of 10). Survivors with ostomies on the right half of the abdomen reported statistically significantly different QOL scores spiritual well-being (p=0.031), sleep disruptions (p=0.03), satisfaction with appearance (p<0.001) and interference with social activities (p=0.005) compared to survivors with ostomies on the left half of the abdomen. DISCUSSION Stoma location is associated with HRQOL, ostomy bag usage, and difficulties related to adjusting to the ostomy, which may affect long-term survivorship and QOL. Moreover, even after controlling for ostomy type, there were sustained significant differences in ostomy-related QOL associated with stoma location. Our results indicate that stoma location should be considered when designing interventions for cancer survivors with ostomies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-527
Author(s):  
F T Nezhmetdinova ◽  
M E Guryleva

The article presents the reasons for the emergence and development of bioethics as a scientific direction in the world and in our country. In the end of 21st century, humanity faced the complex of global problems solving which affected its survival nowadays: these are the problems of peaceful coexistence of states and peoples, environmental security, demography, health and quality of life connected to health. The science of bioethics which appeared in 1970s started their discussion, understanding and finding solutions, using interdisciplinary approach, involving the general public and seeking political solutions. At the origins of bioethics stood the American biochemist V.R. Potter and doctor A. Hellegers, and a German pastor Fritz Jahr. Boris Grigorievich Yudin can be considered the founder of the Russian school of bioethics, who defined objectives, tasks, basic science perspective in the light of national and regional peculiarities and modalities and founded the platform for discussions. The development of bioethics in our country was multicentered: it is possible to distinguish Moscow, Volgograd and Kazan centers of science development, each of which has its own outstanding terms of reference. The article presents the authors' view of contribution of the brightest representatives developing bioethics in our country, and role of certain scientific and educational centers.


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