The impact of instructional aids on academic achievement of biology students in higher institutions of learning in Potiskum Local Government Area, Yobe State

In this study, attempts was made to examine the influence of audio-visual instructional aid on students’ academic achievement in Biology in some selected higher institutions of learning in Yobe State. There is an urgent need to improve the quality of education to bridge the gap between developed and developing nations, and audio visual instruction is considered as a necessary tool for this purpose the objectives of the study was to identify the forms of instructional aids provided in higher institutions, to determine the utilization of instructional aids by teachers of higher institutions of learning, to determine the impact of instructional aids on academic achievement of Biology major students in higher institutions of learning to identify the challenges associated with instructional aids used by Biology teachers in higher institutions of learning in Potiskum Local government area Yobe state. The population of the study comprises of 500 Biology students’ from the following schools, Federal College of Education (technical) Potiskum and College of administration Management and Technology (CAMTECH) Potiskum. Twenty (20) Biology teachers representing the entire population of biology teachers in the two institution was used in the study. The instrument for data collection was Biology achievement test (pat) and structured questionnaire. Fifteen (15) items Biology achievement test (pat) was constructed from topics in the Biology curriculum. The data collected was analyzed using mean, standard deviation. Scores of different groups was computed. Results of the experimentation was used to answer research question. The result shows that the schools lacks functional audio materials for teaching biology at efficient level, the mean and standard deviation of 3.48 and 1.65 is an indication that there is no functional audio materials for effective teaching and learning Biology in the selected institutions. Where there is poor or no available audio materials the rate of utilization is basically not feasible. Similarly audio visual materials are not in use. the use of instructional materials in teaching Biology in the selected higher institutions shows a positive result, it is obvious that electricity and access to the instructional aid is not a problem in the schools but the main challenges faced by the teachers are inadequate lecture period that will warrant the use of audio-visual materials in teaching, poor or no constant monitoring of the lesson by the school administrators, lack of instruction assistant to help the teachers in fixing this gadgets before and during the lecture has contributed immensely to poor academic performance of the students in the selected higher institutions respectively. Technical know-how is a factor of concern poor knowledge of the gadgets by the teachers and the assistant is also a point of concern.

Dynamism of Instructional Aids on Teaching Physical Education Among Secondary School in Kogi State, Nigeria

This study examined Dynamism of instructional aids on teaching of Physical Education among secondary school in Kogi State, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of survey type was used. The population for this study consist all Secondary School students within the study area. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select 394 respondents. Researcher–structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument was validated by three lectures in the department of Human Kinetics Education, University of Ilorin and tested for reliability. A correlation coefficient of 0.85 was obtained. The administration of the instrument was done by the researchers. The data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) and percentage count. The results revealed that, there was a significant relationship between behavioural benefits and cognitive benefits of instructional aids on teaching of Physical Education among Secondary Schools. The study concluded that uses of instructional aids are significant to quality teaching of physical education in schools. The study recommends that effective uses of instructional aids plays a significant role in teaching and learning of Physical Education in schools which also enhance the behavioural and cognitive benefits of the students.

The Effectiveness of Instructional Aids in Assisting Students to Understand Concepts in Principles of Accounting

This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of instructional aids in the teaching and learning (T&L) of Principles of Accounting among form four students. This is quasi-experimental study involving 60 form four students in a secondary school in Klang, Selangor. The instructional aids utilized are concept charts, brief notes, powerpoint slides and supported by the text book. Pre-test and post-test were conducted to assess students’ performance before and after the treatment. The findings of the study found that the performance of experimental group is significantly better than the control group using the traditional approach. Consequently, the positive impact of using various aids in T&Lcannot be denied. Teachers should take the time to incorporate instructional aids in T&L to assist students learning. School administrator must provide the facilities required to encourage teachers to employ instructional aids in T&L.

Diseminasi informasi zero waste oleh Yayasan Pengembangan Biosains dan Bioteknologi

The Bioscience and Biotechnology Development Foundation (YPBB) managing organic and non organic waste through a program called zero-waste. This study aimed to determine the zero waste information dissemination activities at YPBB. The study used a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data collection techniques used were observations, interviews, and document analysis. The analysis was performed by data reduction, data presentation, and concluding. Study results indicated that zero-waste information dissemination activities were through Programs Zero-Waste Lifestyle (ZWL) and Zero-Waste Cities (ZWC). The ZWL Program comprised training involving partners. Communicators in the ZWL Program were YPBB voluntary trainers, that the message conveyed was informative, using a clear and to understands word approach and a humorous approach. The media used presentation slides as instructional media, organic nonorganic waste, takakura, and biopore drills as instructional aids. The ZWL Program participants were middle and upper-middle urban communities. The kelurahan or RW implemented the Zero Waste Cities Program (ZWC). Communicators in this program were RW heads and cadres, that give messages were persuasive and educational, conveyed through posters and WhatsApp groups. The study concludes that the dissemination of zero waste information through the Zero-Waste Lifestyle (ZWL) and Zero Waste Cities (ZWC) Programs are viewed from communication elements, namely communicators, messages, media and communication elements that are already running and by the program planned. The conclusion this research shows that the dissemination of zero waste information through ZWL and ZWC according to the communication element is already in progress, and according to the planned program.

Afterthoughts on colonoscopy. Was it that bad?

Objectives Colorectal cancer is among the top three most common cancers globally. In order to reduce the health burden, it is important to improve the uptake of colorectal cancer screening by understanding the barriers and facilitators encountered. There are numerous reports in the literature on the views of the general public on cancer screening. However, the experiences of colonoscopy patients are not as well studied. This paper maps their perceptions. Methods Keyword searches for terms such as ‘colorectal’, ‘colonoscopy’ and ‘qualitative’ were conducted on 3 December 2019 in five databases: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science Core Collection. Qualitative articles that quoted colonoscopy-experienced patients with no prior history of colorectal cancer were included for the thematic analysis. The systematic review was then synthesized according to PRISMA guidelines. Results The major themes were distilled into three categories: pre-procedure, during and post-procedure. The factors identified in the pre-procedure phase include the troublesome bowel preparation, poor quality of information provided and the dynamics within a support network. Perceptions of pain, emotional discomfort and the role of providers mark the experience during the procedure. The receipt of results, opportunities given for discussion and finances relating to colonoscopy are important post-procedure events. Conclusion Understanding colorectal cancer screening behaviour is fundamental for healthcare providers and authorities to develop system and personal level changes for the improvement of colorectal cancer screening services. The key areas include patient comfort, the use of clearer instructional aids and graphics, establishing good patient rapport, and the availability of individualized options for sedation and the procedure.

Indigenous Songs as Instructional Aids in Teaching Mother Tongue to Pupils of Bontoc Central School: Its Educational Implications

Indigenous Songs play an important role in the development of young children learning the mother language. This paper begins by looking at why indigenous songs can be considered valuable pedagogical tools in teaching the mother tongue this K12 curriculum of the (DepEd) Department of Education. In particular, it will discuss how indigenous songs are used in communication arts that can help young learners (particularly those who are not from Bontoc) of Bontoc Central School in Bontoc, Mountain Province improve their communication skills. The researcher will also discuss how the selected indigenous songs can reflect culture and increase the young learner’s overall enjoyment of learning a mother language and second language on songs translated into English. The researcher will then attempt to show, through useful examples, how the selected indigenous songs (both in mother tongue and English translation) can be used as language tasks. Finally, the paper aims to explore how indigenous songs for children can be adapted to suit a particular theme or part of the curriculum a teacher in the primary level might wish to teach in the mother tongue teaching.

Bibliometrics and modern scientific libraries

The authors examine the possibilities of bibliometrics enhancing and complementing information and library processes to support scientific research: applying bibliometric analysis of science organizations’ document flows to monitor publication activities; using bibliometric methods to design and support scientific research in various subjects, and to organize certain library processes, e.g. collection development and user information demand study; and dating ofrelevant information. The authors focus on the bibliometrics fundamental importance for exploring processes of document information flows. They argue that the introduction of bibliometric procedures in scientific libraries would increase their status and make them actors of academic communication system. The examples are given of using bibliometrics for detecting fraud and adulteration schemes in science practice. The key methods and procedures of bibliometric research in scientific libraries are characterized. Main risks due to the introduction of bibliometrics into scientific research are defined. The authors emphasize the scientific libraries’ need for competent librarians which means developing continuous professional education system; within this context workshops and training courses, instructional aids and recommendations, training professionals at universities are also important.