INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF USING THUTO LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A CASE OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LESOTHO

Purpose: This article aims at investigating the effects of solely using Thuto learning management system on NUL students while traditional interactions were temporarily postponed. Methodology: This study adopted a qualitative inquiry and the DeLone and McLean Model of Information Systems with the aim of gaining deeper understanding about the effects brought by the new way of learning at the university amid threats posts by the covid-19. Free attitude interviews were used to generate data from conveniently selected NUL students. Findings: The study revealed that though Thuto is ideal during this Covid-19 era because learning still happens, it has many challenges that needs to be addressed, they include the following; not being interactive, inaccessible and reduced students motivation. Unique Contribution to theory and practice: Given the challenges revealed, it is recommended that efforts have to be made to improve the efficiency and the reliability of Thuto learning management system and that, lecturers should use other online learning platforms that are more interactive. Keywords; Thuto learning management system, NUL, Students, Covid 19, Effects

AN INVESTIGATION OF SCHOOL-BASED CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MALAWI: A CASE STUDY OF FOUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ZOMBA DISTRICT

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the challenges which schools are facing in implementing inclusive education in mainstream primary schools in Zomba district. Methodology: Qualitative research method which employed a case study design was used. Thirty-four participants were involved in this study. These were purposely sampled. Data was collected through interviews, documents review and classroom lesson observations to provide methodological triangulation. Data was analyzed using thematic content analysis method inductively. Results: The results of the study indicated that the implementation of inclusive education is facing a number of challenges such as ineffective orientation of head teachers and teachers to inclusive education, unavailability of teaching and learning materials for special needs learners in the mainstream schools, lack of special needs specialist teachers and lack of infrastructure suitable for the diverse special education needs learners. Unique contribution to theory and practice: The study recommended, that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology officers, that is the District Education Managers and the Primary Education Advisors involved in the implementation of inclusive education need to ensure that there is effective orientation training of the head-teachers teachers and teachers on inclusive education. The Ministry of education, Science and Technology should provide teaching and learning materials for the special education needs learners in the mainstream schools.

EFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT A STUDY OF IT SECTOR IN PAKISTAN

Purpose: The study examined effects of artificial intelligence on human resources management a study of it sector in Pakistan Methodology: The tool used for the purpose of gathering the data for this thesis was a questionnaire The content of the questionnaire had to be necessarily validated by a PhD professor .In order to fulfill the need of the research of finding out the relationship, which might exist between the given dependent and independent variables, correlation analysis was conducted using SPSS.. The research was also based upon facts and arguments based on the non-numerical data which is gathered through different articles. The respondents chosen for filling the research questionnaire were selected from the top ranking IT companies of Pakistan because of the fact that these companies, some of them being multi-national, would have the understanding of the modern challenges related to technology and the complexities of the recruitment. Result: Technology is the main focus of the whole world today. Companies who wish to survive in the modern industry must make their recruitment processes digitized by incorporating the modern technology so that not only the processes can be made faster but also their performance can be made better. Unique contribution to theory and practice: Artificial intelligence is the result of the modern world of complexities and new technological advancements which have allowed new entrant to enter new markets anytime. The biggest challenge of artificial intelligence is that it has made everything quick. Recruiters want to be catered quickly for this purpose, companies ought to have highly responsive HR system so that the hiring is on time

EFFECT OF SCHOOL CLIMATE ON TEACHING AND LEARNING OF PHYSICS IN SENIOR SECONDARY

Purpose: The study investigated the effect of school climate on teaching and learning of physics in senior secondary schools. Methodology: The mixed research design, specifically descriptive and exploratory analysis method was employed for the study. 14 Physics teachers and 248 Physics students were purposively selected from four secondary schools in Rivers State, Nigeria. Instruments for data collection includes Questionnaire for Physics Teachers (QPT), Questionnaire for Physics Students (QPS) and two semi-structured interview schedules which are Interview Schedule for Teachers (ISfT) and the Interview Schedule for Students (ISfS). Data were analyzed using mean and percentage for the research questions while hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test. Results: The findings of the study revealed that although Physics teachers enjoy a fairly good working relationship with their students, both teachers and students maintained that their school climate were not friendly and conducive for teaching of Physics. The study further revealed that there were no significant differences between male and female Physics teachers and students on their mean responses on school climate related factors affecting the teaching and learning of Physics. Unique contribution to theory and practice: The study recommended exigent need for synergy among all stakeholders in the secondary school to encourage the prevalence of harmonious relationship that will enhance effective teaching and learning of Physics among others.

STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON SATISFACTION WITH DISTANCE EDUCATION IN GHANA: A CLUSTER ANALYSIS

Purpose: The study sought to categorise students based on the preferences that influence their choice of distance education in Ghana. Methodology: Questionnaires were used to collect data from 120 students taking part in the UEW distance education programme at the Kumasi Girls SHS Study Center. Respondents were segmented into three clusters (highly, moderately, and least satisfied) based on four preferences (price, quality, packaging, and social boding) that influenced their satisfaction with the distance education programme. Result: Findings from both hierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analysis with squared Euclidean distance and Ward’s method showed that the highly satisfied cluster was driven by quality of service and the fees (i.e. price) of the UEW distance education programme. A further analysis of the differences between the clusters indicated that satisfaction with the UEW distance programme significantly differs across the three segments. Unique Contribution to theory and practice: UEW must take advantage of the significant impact of service quality and price factors on customer satisfaction that runs through all the segments to develop and implement strategic decisions in order to achieve a competitive advantage in the distance education market

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON THE INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN SCIENCE TEACHING AND LEARNING (SED209 & SED317) ON THEIR ICT AND TEACHING SKILLS

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to explore students’ perception on the influence of ICT in science teaching and learning (SED 209 and SED 317) on their ICT and teaching skills. Methodology: The study employed a qualitative study design as a means of carrying out the research. The population consisted of all 300 level and graduating students in the Department of Science Education of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko. Three research questions were designed to guide the study.The sample of the study was made up of 31 respondents from Science Education Department of the University which were selected using purposive sampling technique. Interview schedule was used to collect data from the respondents. Data collected was analyzed using content analysis. Results: Findings revealed that the two ICT courses influence ICT skills of science education students. Findings also revealed that the knowledge gained from the two courses have really influenced students’ teaching skills during teaching practice. Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that parent should encourage their children to develop their ICT skills before getting admission so as to enhance learning while taking SED 209 and 317. It was also recommended that government should sanction budgets in ICT head available for students to facilitate teaching and learning of science subjects

The influence of self-esteem and role stress on job performance of technical college employees

Purpose: The authors examined the influence of self-esteem and role stress on job performance of technical college employees.Research design: two sets of hypotheses were proposed. The first accessed the effect of self-esteem on job performance and the second focused on role stress on job performance. Participants consisted of 162 employees drawn from technical teachers and workshop attendants in selected technical colleges in Rivers and Bayelsa states. Questionnaire was the research instrument for data collection. To test the hypotheses, Structural equation modeling (SEM), were implemented.Findings: The result of the study indicated that there is significant negative effect of self-esteem, Role ambiguity and role overload on job performance of employees in technical collegesPolicy implications: Findings in this research indicates that college authorities should focus efforts at boosting self-esteem, since high self-esteem causes many positive outcomes. The study would be very useful to employees and students of technical colleges.