Nexus Between Entrepreneurship Education and Employability Skills of Tertiary Institution Students in Ilorin Metropolis

This study examines nexus between entrepreneurship education and employability skills of tertiary institution students in Ilorin metropolis. To establish this, two research questions were raised for the study. The target population for the study comprised students of Kwara state College of Education, Ilorin. One hundred and eighty students were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire was designed as the instrument for data collection. Regression analysis statistical method at 0.05 level of significance was used to test the formulated hypotheses. The study revealed that entrepreneurship curriculum contents contain information on how students can identify and shape opportunities, new business concepts and bring through entrepreneurship among students of tertiary institution in Ilorin Metropolis. This study concluded that entrepreneurship education is a good policy on employability skills acquisition among students which makes them to be self-sustenance after graduation. The study recommended among others that entrepreneurship lecturers should introduce and use innovative/modern methods in teaching students of higher institutions the art and practice of entrepreneurship. This can be achieved by ensuring that right facilities are in place and the lecturers must be qualified and equipped with adequate and updated knowledge and skills. Keywords: Curriculum, Entrepreneurship, Education, Employability skills, Ilorin

Konceptuelle metaforer som selektionskriterium for Dansk litteraturs kanon - med fokus på elevers literacytilegnelse på tværs af tidsrum, sprog og kultur i arbejdet med kanonlitteratur

This article argues that an increased focus on the inherent conceptual metaphors of chronotopes in canonical literature may contribute to students’ awareness of the historical and literary development in time and space. Thus, expanding their literacy-skills acquisition in comparison to the linear chronological periodization, author-portrait and text reading that typically characterize the reading of canon literature. Furthermore, the article argues that an increased focus on bi- and multilingual students’ interpretation of conceptual metaphors may contribute to the historical and literary development.

HIFASS-LOPIN-3 Empowerment Programs and the Wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined the various empowerment programs carried out by Health Initiatives for Safety and Stability in Africa – Local OVC Partner in Nigeria – Region 3 (HIFASS-LOPIN-3) as they affect the wellbeing of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Three objectives were outlined to include investigating the relationship between HIFASS-LOPIN-3 educational empowerment program and OVC’s school enrolment; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 provision of health services and OVC’s accessibility to quality healthcare facilities; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 skills acquisition training/financial empowerment program and the income level of OVC/caregivers. An Ex-post facto research design was employed in this study and a sample size of three hundred and eighty (380) respondents was drawn using multi-stage, simple random, stratified and snowball sampling techniques. The reliability test of the instrument was done using the test-retest reliability method. Primary data was obtained using a questionnaire and in-depth interview schedule, while secondary data was sourced from journals, texts, newspapers, internet, unpublished papers. The hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) and Chi-Square statistical techniques, together with frequency/percentage analysis. The study revealed among others that HIFASS-LOPIN-3 educational empowerment has significantly improved OVC’s school enrolment; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 skills acquisition training/financial empowerment program has significantly improved the income level of OVC/caregivers, nevertheless, almost all the OVC who reported having income-generating skills experienced challenges like insufficient start-up capital, insecurity, and crippling economic policies. It was recommended that government should make provision for OVC’s subsidized medical bills and adequate provision for start-up capital/equipment or materials should be made for older OVC/caregivers who receive skills acquisition training.

Assessment of Public-Private Partnership in Technical Colleges in Nigeria: A Case of Lagos State

This study examined the state of Public-Private Partnerships in technical colleges in Nigeria, using Lagos state as a case study. Four research questions guided the study. It was a cross-sectional descriptive study adopted a mixed method research design. The population of the study comprised of all the 350 academic staff in the five government technical colleges in Lagos state. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample 50 teachers. Questionnaire and semi-structured interview were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to answer research questions one, two and three while descriptive narratives were used to analyse interview responses. Cronbach alpha technique was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire and a coefficient of 0.69 was obtained.The finding indicated that public-private partnerships existed partially as a strategy for funding technical colleges in Lagos for skills acquisition. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that colleges may set up a partnership committee to liaise with industries; government should do away with making of obnoxious policies that discourage private organisations; and National Board on Technical Education may make business grant cum start-up loan available for the graduates of technical colleges. Keywords: public-private partnership, skills acquisition, technical college, TVET, funding

Impact of the Haptic Virtual Reality Simulator on Dental Students’ Psychomotor Skills in Preclinical Operative Dentistry

One of the current trends in dental education is to empower dental students on a global platform using advanced technology. Haptic virtual reality simulation (HVRS) is a relatively new technology in the field of teaching and learning operative dentistry. This study aims to assess the impact of haptic virtual reality simulation (HVRS) on dental students’ psychomotor skills acquisition in preclinical operative dentistry. Class I cavity preparations (CP) were performed at baseline by 21 novice dental students on plastic teeth. Duration of CP was recorded and cavity features were evaluated and scored. Then, students were exposed to HVRS training on CP. Another Class I CP was performed by each student on plastic teeth after HVRS training, then evaluated, and the duration was recorded. There was a statistically significant decrease in CP performance time after HVRS training (p < 0.001) and an increase in the mean total marks of CP after HVRS training (p < 0.001). The change in the students’ performance in the CP displayed a statistically significant improvement after HVRS training in smoothness of the pulpal floor (p = 0.047), pulpal floor direction (p = 0.029), buccal, lingual, and mesial wall direction (p = 0.004, p = 0.025, p = 0.002), mesial and distal wall smoothness (p = 0.01, p = 0.001), internal line angle (p = 0.024), and internal point angle (p = 0.029). Overall improved performance in psychomotor skills was found after HVRS training. It could be beneficial to incorporate HVRS training early in pre-clinical operative dentistry courses as an adjunct to conventional phantom head training.

Authentic Social-Cultural Reading in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching

The paper concerns the use of authentic social-cultural reading materials in foreign language learning and teaching of international students. The study was started from the assumption that authentic materials allow international students to link mastering a foreign language and the real world since they meet learners’ needs and contribute to better social adaptation in a foreign country. The purpose of the article is to characterize the place and role of work with authentic social-cultural reading materials in foreign language learning and teaching of international students. The theoretical and mixed methods were used to achieve the purpose. The study was conducted with first-year international students of different faculties of SNAU. In the context of the mixed method both quantitative (numerical) data from questionnaire (in the middle of the semester) and qualitative (namely students’ comments, observation and analysis of students’ activity during foreign language classes, monitoring the students’ reaction to the use of authentic reading materials from different sources (printed mass media, TV, Internet) throughout the semester were gathered and processed to bring the results together in the overall interpretation. Conclusions: the outcomes demonstrate that international students consider authentic social-cultural reading worthwhile and see more potential advantages in work with them than constraints. International students support using different thematic materials from personal contexts (family life and habits) to public ones (country’s traditions and events). The benefits of using them also include a possibility for enhancing reading skills, acquisition of the language and reality of the foreign country, better students’ social adaptation, and motivation to learning.

A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of the Effectiveness of Peer- versus Faculty-led Simulation for Clinical Skills Acquisition in Undergraduate Student Nurses. MSc Project Findings

Background: Clinical skills learning is an integral part of undergraduate nursing programmes in United Kingdom nurse education. Faculty staff teach some elements of clinical skills, and some are taught by clinicians in practice. International evidence indicates that some students feel overly anxious when taught by faculty members but less so with their peers, meaning that peer-led clinical skills teaching and learning might reduce anxiety and facilitate the acquisition and retention of skills education. Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to explore the research relating to undergraduate student nurses’ acquisition of skills within the simulation setting, particularly the associations between peer-led and lecturer-led learning. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was used to find all available evidence. A search of nine healthcare databases using Boolean and MeSH search terms including ‘Peer-to-peer’, ‘Clinical Skill*’, ‘Simulat*’, and ‘Student Nurs*’ was undertaken. Due to the heterogeneity of the research found, statistical meta-analysis was not possible, and so a narrative synthesis based on thematic analysis was conducted, which involved three-person research team critically appraising nine articles for inclusion in the review. Results: Articles were located from worldwide sources. Three main themes in the findings were: psychological factors, motor skills, and educational issues. The use of peers can help to increase students’ motor skills, improved the psychological impact of skills and learning, and offered students a chance to be active participants in their education. Conclusion: Having explored the literature, we conclude that peer-to-peer teaching and learning could have a place in undergraduate nursing education; however, it is not clear if student nurses’ skills acquisition is more effective if mediated by peer- or lecturer-led teaching. Further research is required in this area to quantify and compare outcomes.

Enhancing Science Process Skills Acquisition in Chemistry among Secondary School Students through Context-Based Learning

The study examined the effect of Context Based Learning (CBL) and gender influence on chemistry students’ acquisition of Integrated Science Process Skills (ISPS). Two research questions guided the study. This study used a quasi-experimental research design with a sample of 192 participants who had an average age of 15. Three instruments were used in data collection. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The results showed that Context Based Learning (CBL) had more effect on students’ Integrated Science Process Skills (ISPS) in chemistry. Students exposed to CBL pedagogy acquired more Experimental Skill (EXPS) than Analyzing and Interpreting Data Skill (ANIDS) with Identifying and Controlling Variables Skill (ICVS) the least. Also, students exposed to Conventional Strategy (COS) excelled in ANIDS, more so than Identifying and Controlling Variables Skill (ICVS) with Experimental Skill (EXPS) the least acquired. The influence of gender on ISPS was observed in favour of females. The study concluded that gender imbalance exists in all spheres of life, therefore, chemistry teachers should help students in acquiring integrated science skills using the two approaches to enhance male and female students’ knowledge, values, and skills creatively in secondary school chemistry. The study recommends the teaching of students on everyday activities that foster gender balance in Lagos State secondary schools.

A Case of Restrictive Lung Disease Masquerading as Sars-Cov-2 Pneumonia: The Complexity of Integrating Lung Ultrasound in Clinical Management

This report aims to highlight the importance of integrating the lung ultrasound findings in the clinical judgement, and to integrate its findings, exemplified in this patient, thought to have COVID-19 bilateral pneumonia, and turn out to have an infectious spondylodiscitis and secondary, a restrictive lung disease.As ultrasound devices become increasingly portable and affordable, the future potential of lung ultrasound relies on a not lesser degree of clinical skills acquisition.

Do registered nurses have the tools to appropriately assess student nurses in the taking and interpretation of electrocardiograms?

The Nursing and Midwifery Council highlights that, at the point of qualifying, registered nurses should be able to undertake routine investigations, interpret and share the findings, as appropriate. This includes electrocardiograms. Registered nurses who act as practice assessors for student nurses need to have the skills themselves to be able to appropriately assess the student. This article investigates whether practice assessors hold the appropriate knowledge and skills to be able to undertake assessments. The understanding of the terminology ‘interpreting findings’ can be seen in different ways and this could influence nurses' skills acquisition. At what point does a nurse not require supervision and is considered competent in the skill of taking an electrocardiogram and interpretation? There is no national standard in England to agree the level at which competence is achieved. Student training in practice may vary due to the placement experiences gained throughout their training. From reviewing the literature and standards, it is suggested that registered nurses have varying standards of skills when it comes to interpreting electrocardiograms, derived from their training both as a student and as a nurse. It may also be influenced by the Registered Nurses workplace setting and whether regular and specialist electrocardiogram analysis is required. There appears to be no published evidence/information into current training provision for electrocardiogram analysis within England within a student nurses core curriculum.