Attitude of Students Towards the Study of Physics: A Case of Tamale College of Education, Ghana.

The study examined the attitude of third-year science and mathematics students towards the study of Physics in the Tamale College of Education, Ghana. A case study involving a sample of one hundred and thirty–three students was adopted for the study. Using a structured questionnaire, data was collected from the selected sample. The Likert rating scale was adopted to indicate the extent of agreement or disagreement. General findings from the study indicated that the majority of the respondents had a negative perception towards the study of Physics. The research recommended that preferably only students who offered Elective Physics at the Senior High School level should be admitted to study Physics at the College level as this would facilitate the smooth teaching and learning of the subject. It was also suggested that Physics tutors should use innovative strategies to make the teaching and learning of the subject interesting and attractive. Keywords: Physics, attitude, students, tutor, positive, negative.

Evaluating the Technological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) of ICT Teachers in Junior High Schools: A Case Study of the Abuakwa South Municipality in Ghana.

The study sought to examine ICT teachers’ knowledge regarding technology, pedagogy and content using the TPACK model. In all, 44 teachers were randomly sampled from the 54 Junior High Schools in the Abuakwa South Municipality. A questionnaire was used to gather quantitative data. ANOVA was used to interpret the data collected. The findings suggested that the overall teachers’ knowledge in TPACK was moderate, however, the knowledge of teachers in technology was high. The results also indicated a positive relationship among the various TPACK domains. However, the result rejected the null hypothesis and accepted the alternative hypothesis which shows that statistically there is a significant difference among the various TPACK domains. It was concluded that a lot must be done to help improve the teachers’ TPACK. The study recommended a regular professional learning session to close the gap of the teachers’ knowledge in technology, pedagogy and content in the municipality. Keywords: Technological, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Perceived Usefulness and Ease of Use of Social Media among Pre-service Teachers in Ghana

The study examined the level of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) of social media within the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in order to ascertain the usefulness of social media among Pre-service Teachers in Ghana. Stratified random sampling was used to select 391 Pre-service Teachers for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed based on descriptive statistics and an Independent sample t-test. This study found that majority of the Pre-service Teachers use two social media platforms; WhatsApp and Facebook. The study further established a significant difference between Pre-service Teachers whose usage of social media sites specifically affect their perceived usefulness and those that specifically affect their perceived ease of use. The study encouraged teachers to integrate e-learning applications like Blackboard, Google Classroom and Edmodo in their courses (using the blended learning approach) as they have social media-like features that students have already embraced. This study contributed to research on the possibility of integrating social media into teaching and learning in Colleges of Education in Ghana.

Impact of Leadership Styles of Principals on Teacher Educants: A Study of Colleges of Education in Northern Ghana

The study examined the impact of leadership styles of Principals of Colleges of Education in Northern Ghana. A descriptive survey research design was used together with a convenient sampling technique. Using a structured questionnaire, data were gathered from (one hundred) 100 Teacher educants and Principals from the Colleges of education in Northern Ghana. The Likert rating scale was adopted to indicate the extent of agreement or disagreement. The findings indicated that the majority of the respondents agreed their principals have a good relationship with teacher educants. The personality traits exhibited by the Principals in the Colleges of education in Northern Ghana varied and each of the leadership styles exhibited exerted positive but insignificant effect on teacher educants performance. It is being recommended that to promote teacher educants satisfaction at the workplace, principals must create a congenial climate in their respective colleges to ensure that teacher educants can share and freely express their opinions. Pre-service and in-service training programmes must be organized periodically leading to improved performance

Internet Addiction Among KNUST School of Medical Sciences and Dentistry (KSMD) Students - A Preliminary Study in Ghana.

The rising rate of internet accessibility has brought with it an attendant challenge of Internet Addiction (IA). This study assessed the level of IA and its relationships to loneliness, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life focusing on students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Medical Sciences (KSMD) Kumasi, Ghana. The cross-sectional survey method was used with 122 students conveniently sampled from KSMD. From the findings, no severe internet addiction was found, however, 9.84 % and 41.80 % scored in the moderate and mild internet addiction ranges respectively. The results also indicated a weak positive correlation between internet addiction and loneliness, self-esteem and a weak negative but highly significant association with satisfaction with life. While severe IA is not yet a serious problem, 9.83 and 41.3% of the study population suffered from moderate and mild IA respectively and stood the risk of progressing to the severe end of the IA continuum. Counseling was therefore recommended for students to master control over their internet usage. Keywords: Internet addiction, Loneliness, Self-Esteem, Satisfaction with Life.

Factors Affecting Reading Performance Of Primary Four School Children: The Case Of University Practice School (South Campus) Winneba, Ghana.

This study examines the inhibiting factors affecting reading as a medium of instruction for primary four pupils in the University Practice Primary School (UPPS) at Winneba. Unfortunately, reading which is supposed to be a medium of communication had rather become a challenge by the aforementioned pupils. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative designs have been applied to address this gap. The findings of the study revealed that out of the thirty-two pupils tested, using the 100 high-frequency words for word recognition, only four (4) pupils attained a mastery level of 80%. Thus, rendering the remaining pupils as poor readers. The study recommends that pupils with reading difficulties may need more periods on the academic time table to read in order to overcome their problems. Furthermore, teachers must give much attention to pupils with such challenges. Keywords: Reading, reading performance, Reading challenges, Teaching approaches.

A Study on Factors Influencing the Career Choices of Students in Senior High Schools in Ghana: The Case of SHS Students in the Abuakwa South Municipality

The issue of career selection plays an important role in the success of every individual. With the ascendency of youth unemployment in Ghana, this study seeks to investigate the career choices of students in Senior High Schools (SHS) in Ghana. The study focused on SHS students in the Abuakwa South Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Using a quantitative approach, questionnaires were distributed to 322 SHS students in four different schools in the area to gather data on how they plan on choosing future careers and the factors that influence their choices. The study also examined the temperament type self-concept theory and the impact on choosing a career. The findings of the study indicated that students consult all relevant persons including counsellors to enable them choose their perceived careers. Also, factors such as personal ambitions in life, academic standards, the possibility of getting jobs after school and level of job security influenced the career choice of students. The study recommended that planning should be done by following the career planning process carefully. The process requires students to plan their careers by consulting all relevant persons including the counsellor. Keywords: career choice, Senior High School (SHS), career determinants, academic standards

Acid Test of Ghana’s Educational Institutions Operating Distance Learning Programs

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented blow to the Ghanaian Educational System. Following the closure of all educational facilities in Ghana in March 2020, the country’s President ordered for the adoption of distance learning. This poses the question: how prepared are Ghanaian institutions to carry out distance learning using online teaching approaches? Most institutions in Ghana offering distance learning programs currently adopt the usage of the tutorial method where there is minimal or no usage of online learning technologies. This article discusses the potential usage of mobile learning by Ghanaian Educational Institutions operating distance learning programs in the wake of combating the COVID-19. It proposes a model to support the use of WhatsApp Messenger as an online tool to support distance learning programs. The proposed model is a summary comparison between a typical Learning Management System (LMS) using Jurado’s classification and the proper application of the use of WhatsApp Messenger as a mobile learning platform in a Ghanaian context.

Determining Participating Factors in Physical Education/Sporting Activities of the Deaf: A Study of Savelugu School for the Deaf

This research examined the determining factors in participating in Physical education/sports activities by the Deaf in Savelugu School for the deaf in the Northern region of Ghana. A survey research design was used for the study. A questionnaire and an observation guide were used to solicit information on the determinants of participating in Physical education/sports by the Deaf in Savelugu School for the Deaf. The questionnaire was administered to one hundred and fifty (150) students. One hundred and twenty-four (124) were retrieved. 91% of the respondents indicated that participating in physical education activities improves on their lifestyles, promotes fundamental motor skills and physical fitness. However, the results indicated that an unsafe environment, family factors, and sports facilities/equipment determined the participation of students in physical activities. The study recommends that adequate modern and modified sports facilities and equipment should be provided to special schools. The Ministry of Education (Special Education Unit) should monitor the allocation of funds and the utilization of physical education programmes. Well trained and qualified physical education professionals must be sent to Deaf schools. The study provides us an opportunity to gain insight into how exposed or porous schools for the Deaf are in Ghana in terms of physical/sports activities.

Learners’ Characteristics and Academic Performance: A Study of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Primary School, Ghana

The learner has a significant role to play in improving his/her academic performance. This study investigated learners’ characteristics contributing to low academic performance in primary school. The study focused on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Primary School in Kumasi, Ghana. Using a qualitative approach, one hundred and twenty (120) learners, sixty (60) parents and thirty-five (35) teachers were purposively sampled using questionnaires, interviews and informal discussions respectively. Responses of learners revealed that some of them felt rejected by peers, did not understand lessons taught, while some were inattentive and attention seekers who tend to disrupt the concentration of studious learners. The findings showed that lack of parental motivation and assistance negatively impact the academic work of learners. The study recommends that a guidance and counselling unit be set up in schools to assist learners develop attitudes and habits for academic achievements.