scholarly journals Prospects for Online Instructional Delivery Using Google Classrooms: Implications for Higher Education in Sub-Sahara Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Jumoke I. Oladele ◽  
Olawale S. Koledafe ◽  
Dorcas S. Daramola
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Instructional Delivery ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Technology is relevant in achieving educational development. Exploring how best to pattern and incorporate educational technology to engender sustainability remains relevant. It is against this backdrop that this study examined the Prospect of online instructional delivery in sub-Saharan African Universities using Google Classrooms ascertained concerning usability and accessibility while examining impending challenges. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The study population was undergraduates enrolled at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, a public institution owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the most soughed institution in terms of admission in the country. The target population was teacher trainees exposed to online instructional using Google Classrooms for 2018/2019 academic session. The study participants were purposively sampled; a total of 1933 participants. Data were gathered using a researcher designed questionnaire which was face and content validated. Three research questions were stated to examine accessibility, usability and challenges while the tested hypotheses were concerning prospects of Google Classroom for University of Ilorin undergraduates' learning across gender and departmental divides. Both descriptive statistics (Research Questions) and inferential statistics (Hypothesis) were employed in analysing data collected gathered. Significant findings revealed that Google Classroom holds prospects for innovative instructional approach for university undergraduates’ learning. However, there is a need to improve its level of accessibility to undergraduates to maximise its gains by making efforts to alleviate the challenges militating against smooth access to ensure sustainability in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa, apt in the current pandemic era.

scholarly journals Suboptimal Utilisation of Resources in Sub-Saharan African Higher Education Institutions: the Case of Teaching Space at Makerere University

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-27
Author(s):  
J Ssempebwa ◽  
SO Owolabi ◽  
FEK Bakkabulindi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Educational Administration ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Makerere University ◽  
Quality Of Higher Education ◽  
Need To Evaluate ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University

Many higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa are underfunded.Consequently, they are operating with encumbering resources constraints that threaten quality assurance. Accordingly, they are working to expand the availability of these resources. Notwithstanding, it is taken for granted that once available, these resources are optimally utilized and that, in instances expanding their availability is not possible, compromising on some elements of the quality of higher education is inevitable. The problem is that this presumption could disguise inadequacies in the utilization of the resources, with the consequence that the institutions’ need for the resources is exaggerated. Preoccupation with expanding the availability of resources could also stifle the innovation of creative ways of making the best use of the resources available. This means that the institutions need to evaluate their utilization of these resources—to pinpoint their need for the resources and potential for quality assurance. This paper reports the findings of a study that responded to this need, taking the case of teaching space at Makerere University. The objective ofthe study was to verify the hypothesis that the University is teaching space constrained. The findings were that the resource is overly underutilized albeit this was disguised by occasional overutilization of the same space, a concomitance that only multidimensional evaluation could unearth. Accordingly, the study gives credence to the hypothesis that shortages of resources at the University, and similar institutions, are ostensible. Therefore, it is recommended that these institutions subject their utilization of resources to rigorous evaluation.Keywords · Resources management · Higher education funding · Educational administration

scholarly journals Academic Staff Practices and Challenges of Publishing:

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-42
Author(s):  
Abatihun Alehegn
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Academic Publishing ◽  
Higher Education Institution ◽  
Inadequate Information ◽  
Lack Of Commitment ◽  
The University ◽  
Descriptive Survey

This article reports on the findings of a study undertaken to establish practices and challenges to academic publishing at a higher education institution in Ethiopia. A descriptive survey design was employed and con- -venience and purposive sampling were used to select the sample. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire with closed- and open-ended questions and were analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis. The results show that, despite the benefits of publishing, not all academics in the university are publishing in local and international journals due to a number of challenges. These include a lack of commitment and motivation, lack of experience and exposure to publishing, and inadequate information,knowledge and skills to access accredited journals. Academics also suffer from work overload, a lack of support from the university to publish, and challenges emanating from journals themselves. It is recommended thatthe university, the Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and other relevant stakeholders should collaborate to address this situation. Key words: academics, academic publishing, higher education institution, challenges, practices, university

Uninettuno University for Refugees: a Model of Network for an Education without Boundaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 454-466
Author(s):  
Maria Amata Garito
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
The World ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University

In the European countries, and especially in Italy, one of the hardest challenges we are facing these days is the escalating crisis of migrants and refugees coming from the Arab World and Sub-Saharan Africa countries. The history of universities tells us that the first Universities realized a networked model in which students shaped their own study path, moving from one institution to another across Europe in order to attend the lectures by the best lecturers from different Universities. The Medieval higher education system, therefore, acted as a bridge between different cultures, fostering knowledge exchange, sharing and construction based on a networked organizational model, and an educational model promoting discussions and debates (questio and disputatio). Nowadays, ICT technologies, and above all the Internet, allow Universities to re-create a network of knowledge and of students and professors, sharing experiences and competences from different social and cultural backgrounds. The International Telematic University UNINETTUNO developed and implemented an internalization model and a psycho-pedagogic model, whose main characteristics are described in this paper, promoting the collaboration among Universities from the United States, Europe, Asia and above all from the Arab World Countries. Through this collaborations, UNINETTUNO developed the first higher education portal in the world which is available in 5 languages (Italian, English, French, Arabic and Greek), enrolled students from 168 countries of the world. The success of these international cooperation activities inspired UNINETTUNO in the creation of an Internet-based portal (The University for Refugees — Education without Boundaries, that will be presented in this paper) allowing refugees and migrants to access the University for free from any place across the world, providing services like: Recognition of the study title, Recognition of Professional Skills, Language Learning courses, Health Services, Mutual Rights and Duties. This initiative, launched in 2016, became a true laboratory of intercultural and interlingual communication that promotes a truly effective model of cooperation and inclusion with refugees and students from different parts of the world.

scholarly journals Relationship between Psychological Contract and Job Satisfaction of Staff of Accra Technical University

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Christine Ampofo-Ansah ◽  
Rita Sarkodie-Baffoe
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Technical University ◽  
The University ◽  
Descriptive Survey

The study investigated the relationship between psychological contract and job satisfaction of staff of Accra Technical University. A descriptive survey design was used with the target population being both teaching and non-teaching staff of Accra Technical University. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample a total of 300 respondents .  A total of 270 responded to the questionnaires out of a target sample of 300 staff. The study revealed that, there was a relationship between perceived psychological contract and job satisfaction. Using linear regression analysis, the study showed that an increase in the overall fulfillment of obligations and promises (psychological contract) by both Teaching and Non-teaching staff would directly cause an increase in job satisfaction. Another key finding of the study was that, in general the staff perceived they fulfilled their promises and obligations to a greater extent to the university, while the university fulfilled its promises and obligations  to a lesser extent, which meant there was inverse relation between what the staff offered to the university and what the university offered and this caused a breach of psychological contract which in turn bred job dissatisfaction. This study then recommends that management  revised its recruitment policy and emphasize on flexibility in terms of career development opportunities and endeavor to fulfill their promises and obligations (psychological contract).

scholarly journals Educational Ergonomics in Higher Education Institutions in Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-146
Author(s):  
CM Uche ◽  
C Okata Fanny
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Educational Ergonomics ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
Higher Institutions ◽  
Descriptive Survey

This study focused on investigating the ergonomics and ergonomic considerations of learning environments of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Nigeria. It adopted a descriptive survey design. Population of study comprised all the three universities in Rivers State and a total of 136 lecturers, 230 students and 6 staff of works departments constituted the sample. Four research questions and one hypothesis guided the study. Data was collected using a researcher-constructed questionnaire entitled Educational Ergonomics in Higher Institutions questionnaire (EEIHIQ). An observation checklist and interview schedules were also used. The instrument was validated by experts and its reliability index was established at .75 index using Pearson Moment correlation coefficient. Mean scores were used to answer the research questions while the z–test was used to test the hypotheses at the .05 level of significance. The findings were that school buildings and other teaching and learning facilities in the universities are ergonomically below standard and unsafe. Recommendations towards improvement are made.Keywords: Physical facilities planning; Ergonomics; Quality assurance

Illegal assaults and treatment of journalists: a big challenge to the journalism profession in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-161
Author(s):  
Adegboyega Adedolapo Ola
Keyword(s):  
Survey Design ◽  
Collective Responsibility ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electoral Violence ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Purpose One of the greatest obstacles confronting the journalism profession in the discharge of their duties is the indiscriminate physical and digital threat being experienced by journalists all over the world, particularly within sub-Saharan Africa. The continuous attacks facing journalists in Africa, most especially during election times, violate their fundamental human rights. Journalists play a major role in the dissemination of information before, during and after an election. Unfortunately, elections in many African States are characterised by uncertainty, due to the possibility of election-related violence, which has led to the killing and disappearance of many journalists. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts a qualitative research approach involving a descriptive survey design. A purposive sampling of 20 respondents is adopted across various media organisations in Nigeria. Findings The study explores the role and importance of journalists during an election. It also examines the consequences of electoral violence on journalists and the discharge of their duties. It further assesses the role of the state authority in the protection of life and the safety of journalists during the election period. Finally, the study posits that a guard against the threat against journalists such as killings, ill-treatment and other interferences during and after the election period is essential and should be taken as a collective responsibility of all the various stakeholders in the community and nations. Originality/value The study assesses the various threats to the journalism profession, especially during the election period.

scholarly journals HIV and cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa: Demographic and Health Survey data for 4 countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard E. Egede ◽  
Rebekah J. Walker ◽  
Patricia Monroe ◽  
Joni S. Williams ◽  
Jennifer A. Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Logistic Models ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Investigate the relationship between two common cardiovascular diseases and HIV in adults living in sub-Saharan Africa using population data provided through the Demographic and Health Survey. Methods Data for four sub-Saharan countries were used. All adults asked questions regarding diagnosis of HIV, diabetes, and hypertension were included in the sample totaling 5356 in Lesotho, 3294 in Namibia, 9917 in Senegal, and 1051 in South Africa. Logistic models were run for each country separately, with self-reported diabetes as the first outcome and self-reported hypertension as the second outcome and HIV status as the primary independent variable. Models were adjusted for age, gender, rural/urban residence and BMI. Complex survey design allowed weighting to the population. Results Prevalence of self-reported diabetes ranged from 3.8% in Namibia to 0.5% in Senegal. Prevalence of self-reported hypertension ranged from 22.9% in Namibia to 0.6% in Senegal. In unadjusted models, individuals with HIV in Lesotho were 2 times more likely to have self-reported diabetes (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.08–3.73), however the relationship lost significance after adjustment. Individuals with HIV were less likely to have self-reported diabetes after adjustment in Namibia (OR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.12–0.72) and less likely to have self-reported hypertension after adjustment in Lesotho (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.47–0.83). Relationships were not significant for Senegal or South Africa. Discussion HIV did not serve as a risk factor for self-reported cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa during the years included in this study. However, given the growing prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in the region, and the high prevalence of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease, it will be important to continue to track and monitor cardiovascular disease at the population level and in individuals with and without HIV. Conclusions The odds of self-reported diabetes in individuals with HIV was high in Lesotho and low in Namibia, while the odds of self-reported hypertension in individuals with HIV was low across all 4 countries included in this study. Programs are needed to target individuals that need to manage multiple diseases at once and should consider increasing access to cardiovascular disease management programs for older adults, individuals with high BMI, women, and those living in urban settings.

scholarly journals The BabySaver: Design of a New Device for Neonatal Resuscitation at Birth with Intact Placental Circulation

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 526
Author(s):  
James Ditai ◽  
Aisling Barry ◽  
Kathy Burgoine ◽  
Anthony K. Mbonye ◽  
Julius N. Wandabwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Neonatal Resuscitation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Skilled Birth Attendants ◽  
New Device ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Premature Babies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

The initial bedside care of premature babies with an intact cord has been shown to reduce mortality; there is evidence that resuscitation of term babies with an intact cord may also improve outcomes. This process has been facilitated by the development of bedside resuscitation surfaces. These new devices are unaffordable, however, in most of sub-Saharan Africa, where 42% of the world’s 2.4 million annual newborn deaths occur. This paper describes the rationale and design of BabySaver, an innovative low-cost mobile resuscitation unit, which was developed iteratively over five years in a collaboration between the Sanyu Africa Research Institute (SAfRI) in Uganda and the University of Liverpool in the UK. The final BabySaver design comprises two compartments; a tray to provide a firm resuscitation surface, and a base to store resuscitation equipment. The design was formed while considering contextual factors, using the views of individual women from the community served by the local hospitals, medical staff, and skilled birth attendants in both Uganda and the UK.

scholarly journals Development and launch of the first obstetrics and gynaecology master of medicine residency training programme in Botswana

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Luckett ◽  
M. Nassali ◽  
T. Melese ◽  
B. Moreri-Ntshabele ◽  
T. Moloi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Programme ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Subspecialty Training ◽  
Continuous Assessment ◽  
Curricular Development ◽  
Apprenticeship Training ◽  
University Of Botswana ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a severe shortage of Obstetrician Gynaecologists (OBGYNs). While the Lancet Commission for Global Surgery recommends 20 OBGYNs per 100,000 population, Botswana has only 40 OBGYNs for a population of 2.3 million. We describe the development of the first OBGYN Master of Medicine (MMed) training programme in Botswana to address this human resource shortage. Methods We developed a 4-year OBGYN MMed programme at the University of Botswana (UB) using the Kern’s approach. In-line with UB MMed standards, the programme includes clinical apprenticeship training complemented by didactic and research requirements. We benchmarked curriculum content, learning outcomes, competencies, assessment strategies and research requirements with regional and international programmes. We engaged relevant local stakeholders and developed international collaborations to support in-country subspecialty training. Results The OBGYN MMed curriculum was completed and approved by all relevant UB bodies within ten months during which time additional staff were recruited and programme financing was assured. The programme was advertised immediately; 26 candidates applied for four positions, and all selected candidates accepted. The programme was launched in January 2020 with government salary support of all residents. The clinical rotations and curricular development have been rolled out successfully. The first round of continuous assessment of residents was performed and internal programme evaluation was conducted. The national accreditation process was initiated. Conclusion Training OBGYNs in-country has many benefits to health systems in SSA. Curricula can be adjusted to local resource context yet achieve international standards through thoughtful design and purposeful collaborations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document