APPLICATIONS OF ITEM RESPONSE THEORY MODELS TO ASSESS ITEM PROPERTIES AND STUDENTS’ ABILITIES IN DICHOTOMOUS RESPONSES ITEMS

A test is a tool meant to measure the ability level of the students, and how well they can recall the subject matter, but items making up a test may be defectives, and thereby unable to measure students’ ability or traits satisfactorily as intended if proper attention is not paid to item properties such as difficulty, discrimination, and pseudo guessing indices (power) of each item. This could be remedied by item analysis and moderation. It is a known fact that the absence or improper use of item analysis could undermine the integrity of assessment, certification and placement in our educational institutions. Both appropriateness and spread of items properties in accessing students’ abilities distribution, and the adequacy of information provided by dichotomous response items in a compulsory university undergraduate statistics course which was scored dichotomously, and analyzed with stata 16 SE on window 7 were focused here. In view of this, three dichotomous Item Response Theory (IRT) measurement models were used in the context of their potential usefulness in an education setting such as in determining these items properties. Ability, item discrimination, difficulty, and guessing parameters as unobservable characteristics were quantified with a binary response test, then discrete item response becomes an observable outcome variable which is associated with student’s ability level is thereby linked by Item Characteristic Curves that is defined by a set of item parameters that models the probability of observing a given item response by conditioning on a specific ability level. These models were used to assess each of the three items properties together with students’ abilities; then identified defective items that were needed to be discarded, moderated, and non-defectives items as the case may be while some of these chosen items were discussed based on underlining models. Finally, the information provided by these items was also discussed.

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: AN IMPERATIVE TOOL FOR EFFECTIVE EDUCATION MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA

This library-based paper discussed how the invaluable psychology of education influences the effective management of educational institutions with respect to the achievement of the goals stated in the nation’s policy document on education. The rationale for this is that the lack of knowledge of educational psychology by school managers is a principal reason for the incessant crises experienced in educational institutions. This does not augur well for the education system of the country. Sadly, this problem has not caught the attention of major stakeholders in the education sector. The paper highlighted vital areas of management as well as the challenges bedevilling education management in the country. It also examined the importance of utilizing educational psychology as a veritable tool for overcoming these problems. The belief is that this will enhance better service delivery for the attainment of the goals and objectives for which educational institutions are established.

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL (SEM)

Structural Equation Model (SEM) is a multivariate statistical technique that has been explored to test relationships between variables. The use of SEM to analyze relationship between variables is premised on the weak assumption of path analysis, regression analysis and so on; that variables are measured without error. This review thus sheds light on the meaning of SEM, its assumptions, steps and some of the terms used in SEM. The importance of item parcelling to SEM and its methods were briefly examined. It also dealt on the stages involved in SEM, similarities and differences between SEM and conventional statistical methods, software packages that can be used for SEM. This article employed systematic literature review method because it critically synthesized research studies and findings on structural equation modeling (SEM). It could be concluded that SEM is useful in analyzing a set of relationships between variables using diagrams. SEM can also be useful in minimizing measurement errors and in enhancing reliability of constructs. Based on this, it is recommended that SEM should be employed to test relationship between variables since it can explore complex relationships among variables such as direct, indirect, spurious, hierarchical and non-hierarchical.

TEACHERS PERCEPTION OF THE USE OF ICT AS AN INSTRUCTIONAL TOOL IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS IN NIGERIA SECONDARY EDUCATION

The lagging performance of students in science and mathematics in West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) points to a serious challenge requiring the intervention of the government, as we know; education is the bedrock of any nation. The application of ICT tools in teaching science and mathematics in Nigeria can be said to have minimally improved student performance in recent times. Though the government of Nigeria has made a laudable effort in these regards; it has little or no impact in teaching science and mathematics in Nigeria secondary education. Thus, this study aimed at examining the perception of teachers towards the use of ICT as an instructional tool in science and mathematics within Nigeria secondary education. The research employs a quantitative research design in which a sample of sixty-three (63) science and forty (40) mathematics teachers from government secondary schools in Abuja, Nigeria were interviewed. The instrument for data collection was a semi-structured questionnaire titled “Teacher’s Perception on ICT Use Model (TPIUM)” based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis, 1989. Statistical analysis of the data obtained showed that Perceived usefulness (PU) had the strongest impact on Behavioral intention (BI) and Attitude toward use (AT) of ICT tools by teachers. The findings of this study also revealed that outdated government policies to support ICT use in science and mathematics posed a big challenge and more consequential is the inadequate skills of teachers in using ICT tools. The study therefore recommends that the government should endeavor to put in place adequate training and retraining of teachers on how to effectively fuse and use ICT tools in teaching mathematics and other science subjects in Nigeria. Ebire F. A. | Department of Global ICT Policy, Pusan National University, Busan South Korea.

IMPROVING SPATIAL ABILITY SKILLS OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS IN BASIC ENGINEERING DRAWING USING A SOLID PAIR MODEL

Good spatial ability skills are an important component of an engineer’s ability to create and interpret engineering drawings, which is demanding in thinking, being a problem-solving process. The ability of an engineer to visualize in 3D is a cognitive skill that is attached to success in basic engineering drawing subjects. Engineering and technology education students need good spatial ability skills to understand several topics in basic engineering drawings like orthographic projection, axonometric drawing, sectional view, and hidden details drawings. This study aims at improving spatial ability skills using a solid pair model among first-year technical education students of Kaduna State College of Education Gidan Waya. A Quasi-experimental research design was used for the study, a standards pre and post-test were used to conduct a visualization transformation assessment to measure the students’ level of spatial ability skills. The study shows that after treatment using a solid pair model, the student without prior knowledge in basic engineering performed above average, likewise students with prior knowledge in the control and experimental group performed above average. The results indicate that a solid pair model was effective for improving spatial ability skills among first-year technical education students. This study implies to educators that there is need to appropriately enforce the use of a solid pair model for effective teaching and learning of basic engineering drawing. It is, therefore, affirmed that the use of a solid pair model in teaching basic engineering drawings should be enhanced with other teaching methods. Marwa, N. J. | Department of Technical Education Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan waya, Kafanchan, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

EDUCATIONAL REFORMS IN NIGERIA: THE KADUNA STATE TEACHERS’ COMPETENCY TEST

This paper critically looked at the crisis generated by the teachers’ competency test in the Kaduna state. Which agitates for the reform of the educational sector in Nigeria. The article strongly supported the need for such reforms nevertheless, faulted the procedural executions which encompassed the Kaduna state Teachers’ Competency Test on the basis of some fundamental issues. The main issue of lack of standard in Nigeria education system was a concern for this paper. This paper reviewed some of the problems in the education system that should have been the crux of the reform. The teacher is an important variable that influences the learnedness of a nations citizenry. There are several skills which qualify a person as a teacher. The competency of a teacher can be characterized by the ability to learn, assimilate, understand and impact an acquired skill or knowledge following predefined standards and methods. This requires a carefully planned investigation using tactical approaches, if the competency of a teacher is to be accessed. This paper argued that for a reform in the educational sector to enhance sustainable development, there must be good governance and a populace free of corruption within and outside the education system. The article suggested some areas where the Nigerian education requires reform such as teacher education, teachers’ condition of service and the school curricula vis-à-vis the Kaduna state teachers’ competency test. Aina, J. K. | School of science and mathematics education, University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Bellville, Western Cape

ASSESSMENT OF SCHOOL RECORD MANAGEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

The study was carried out with the purpose of assessing school record management in FCT secondary schools. Record management is the area of administrative management that is concerned with achieving economy and efficiency in the creation, maintenance, use and disposal of records of an organization throughout its life cycle. Implementing good record management practices in schools would provide information for educational planners and administrators, serves as historical source for documenting history of the school. School records comprise all existing and accessible records, books, files and other documents containing useful information that relates to what goes on in the school system They are evaluation tools for accessing progress made by schools and also show evidence of compliance with legislative laws. The descriptive research design was used for this study. The population was drawn from ten (10) secondary schools in FCT. The instrument for data collection comprised of questionnaire titled “Assessment of School Record Management in Secondary Schools in FCT” (ASRMSS). A sample size of eighty respondents from schools was used. Simple percentage was adopted in analyzing the research questions while chi-square was adopted in analyzing the hypotheses. Research findings revealed that the various record books used in schools include: log-book, attendance register, lesson plan, syllabus, staff movement book, visitors’ book, admission and withdrawal register, to mention a few. It was also revealed in the findings that most of the records in school are not properly kept. Also, timely supply of school records, availability of funds, teachers’ training and proper back up of records were the solutions proffered by respondents. It was however recommended that stakeholders in the school should make use of the school’s record books for efficiency purposes. Furthermore, stakeholders should ensure timely update of record materials and finally, delegation and follow-up on record procedures should be given adequate attention by school principals. Odeniyi, O. A. | Department of Education Administration and Planning, National Open University, Abuja, Nigeria

TEACHER EDUCATION, A STRATEGY FOR IMPROVING TEACHERS OUTPUT IN NIGERIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The quality of teachers in Nigerian education sector has been a source of concern to stakeholders in recent time given that every nation strives towards the provision of quality education for its citizens in realization that education is an essential means to consolidate the nation’s developmental progression. The importance of teachers to the socio-economic development of any nation cannot be overemphasized given that teachers are the most important factor in quality education and responsible for the transformation and execution of educational policies and curriculum in line with the expectations of the society. Even though various teacher education courses are offered by different institutions with varying degree of achievement recorded, various problems still confront the programme with far reaching consequences on education system which have invariably affected the quality of products churned out of the education system in Nigeria. This paper examines the influence and relevance of quality teacher education on teacher’s efficiency in Nigeria. Some challenges affecting teacher education like inadequate funding, poor policy implementation and lack of motivation were identified. In view of the fact that achieving quality education will be an illusion if teacher education is not in good shape, some solutions to the identified constraints like allocation of adequate funds for the education sector, review of teacher education curriculum, appointment of seasoned educationist as heads of education institutions in the country and regular training and re-training of teachers are also adduced for remediation. Usman, Y. D. | Federal Road Safety CORPS (FRSC), Nassarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

SEX EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: ATTITUDE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS AND THE ROLE OF PARENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS

This study investigated the level of awareness of sex education among secondary school adolescents in Niger state, to assess the level of the already initiated comprehensive sex education program by the federal ministry of health. The study utilizes an empirical survey design. In order to obtain data for the research, stratified random and judgmental sampling technique were adopted. The instrument used to elicit information from the respondents was a well-structured questionnaire. Result from the study shows that it is important to impact knowledge about sex and sexuality to adolescents. As, many of the respondents show positive attitude towards sex education (65%), they knew its effectiveness (54%) and consequence of risk behaviors (86%) but lacked appropriate knowledge (42%). Based on these findings, it is therefore imperative that adolescents need more sex education at all levels with full parental participation. Musa, A. | Department of Clinical Nursing. Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital (SMSSH), Kano, Kano State, Nigeria