iosr-JRME   Volume-2 ~ Issue-6

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	The Effects of Inservice Education on Teachers' Knowledge of Junior Secondary School Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction in Delta State, Nigeria
Country	:	Nigeria
Authors	:	Dr. (Mrs.) E. O. Okobia
	:	10.9790/7388-0260108

Abstract: The provision of competent professionally trained social studies teachers in adequate numbers has been a major challenge in the successful implementation of the social studies curriculum in junior secondary schools in Nigeria. In-service training of social studies teachers while still on the job has been identified as a functional strategy to enhance the professional competence of these teachers. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of in-service education on the knowledge of teachers on objectives, contents and teaching strategies employed in social studies. Sixty NCE social studies teachers and 60 teachers who obtained B.Ed in social studies through in-service training were recruited for the study using multi-stage random sampling from 30 junior secondary schools in Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas of Delta State of Nigeria. A questionnaire-based survey strategy was employed to test the social studies teachers' knowledge on objectives, contents and teaching strategies. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was found to be 0.81 using Cronbach Alpha technique. Data was analyzed using t-test for independent samples. The results showed that B.Ed teachers have significantly higher knowledge on objectives and content of the social studies curriculum but there was no significant difference in the knowledge of NCE and B.Ed teachers on instructional strategies. It was recommended that in-service education programs in social studies should focus not only on enhancing teachers' knowledge on objectives and content but also emphasis should be laid on knowledge of different teaching strategies for the teaching/learning of social studies.

Keywords: Inservice education, teachers' knowledge, Junior secondary school, social studies curriculum and instruction

[2]. Ajie, V.E.N. (1981) A critical study of inservice teacher education for primary school teachers in Rivers State, Nigeria. Nairobi, Kenya: African Curriculum Organization; Germany: Agency for Technical Cooperation; Kenyan Institute of Education; Nairobi University, African Studies in Curriculum Development and Evaluation, No. 18.
[3]. Ali, H. (1999). Professionalism in teacher education in Nigerian Universities: Issues and expectations. Oshodi, Ngieria Eudar Publishers.
[4]. Ben-Clays, M (1999) Assessing good teaching. Journal of Educational Studies 12 (1&2):23-32.
[5]. Borg, S. (2011) The impact of inservice teacher education on language teachers‟ beliefs. Science Direct System 39 (2011). P 370-380. United Kingdom. http://iatefl.british.council.org/2012/sites.
[6]. Coruhlu, T.S., Cepni, S. (2010) Reflection of an inservice education course program: Pedagogical content knowledge about alternative measurement and assessment techniques and attitude development. Elementary Education Online, 9(3):1106-1121.
[7]. Craig, H.J., Kratt, R.J., du Plessis, J. (1998) Lessons learned from ongoing professional development – The years after initial preparation: In: Teacher development: Making an impact. USAID Advancing Basic Education and Literacy Project: World Bank Human Development Network: Effective Schools and Teachers. November, 1998. p 105-140.
[8]. Dove, L. (1982) The deployment and training of teachers for remote rural schools in less-developed countries. International Review of Education. Hamburg: UNESCO Institute for Education.
[9]. Esu, A. (1991) Inservice teacher education in Nigeria: A case study. Journal of Education for Teaching 17(2):189-199.
[10]. Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004. National Policy on Education. Lagos. NERDC.

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Effectiveness of a Multiple Intelligences Teaching Approach Drug Education Programme on Pupils' Attitude to Drug Abuse
Country	:	Nigeria
Authors	:	Evelyn Nwanebe Nwagu
	:	10.9790/7388-0260917

Abstract: The researcher developed a drug education programme based on Multiple Intelligences Teaching Approach (MITA) and evaluated the effectiveness of same on the attitude of pupils (11 - 13 year old) towards drug. The differential effect of the programme on pupils of different sex and school location were explored. The study, a quasi experimental study involved 91 pupils who were grouped into experimental (taught with the MITA) and control (taught with the usual Traditional Lecture Method) groups. The result revealed that the experimental group had a mean attitude score that was significantly higher than that of the control group. While the MITA had no significant differential effect on pupils' attitude due to sex, its positive impact on healthy attitudinal development was more manifest with urban based pupils. It was concluded that the MITA was more effective than the usual Traditional Lecture Method in helping pupils to develop healthy attitude towards drugs.

Keywords: Attitude, Drug abuse, Multiple Intelligences Teaching Approach, Traditional Lecture Method

[1] Federal Ministry of Education (FME) National school health policy. Abuja: FME, (2006).
[2] R.K. Sawyer, The Cambridge handbook of learning sciences (London: Cambridge University Press, 2006).
[3] E.N. Nwagu, The Status of Drug Education in Primary Schools in Nsukka L. G. A. of Enugu state. Journal of Kinetics and Health Education Perspectives (JOKHEP G.C. Abiogu, Socio-political factors in Nigerian education reform: a critical examination. Journal of the Nigerian Academy of Education (JONAED) 6 (1), 2010, 17 – 22.
[4] G.C. Abiogu, Socio-political factors in Nigerian education reform: a critical examination. Journal of the Nigerian Academy of Education (JONAED) 6 (1), 2010, 17 – 22.
[5] O.O. Nwaubani, The effectiveness of value clarification strategies in the teaching of some aspects of junior secondary school social studies. International Journal of Education Research (INJER), 8, 2008, 122 – 134.
[6] T.C. Ogbuanya, A.D., and Usoro, Logical sequence instructional technique on academic achievement and retention of students in technical drawing. International Journal of Education Research (INJER), 8, 2008, 35 – 44.
[7] M.L. Adelekan, Trend analysis of substance use among undergraduates of University of Ilorin, Nigeria: 1988-1998. African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies, 1 (1), 2000, 39-52.
[8] O.O. Desalu, A.B. Olokoba, A. Danburam, F.K. Salawu, B.M. Issa, Epidemiology of tobacco smoking among adults population in North-East Nigeria. The Internet Journal of Epidemoniology, 6 (1), 2008 Retrieved on 20th December, 2012 from http://www.ispub.com/journal/the-internet-journal-of-epidemiology/volume-6-number-1/epidemiology-of-tobacco-smoking-among-adults-population-in-north-east-nigeria.html
[9] J. Okoza, and O. Aluede, Drug abuse among students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. European Journal of Social Sciences, 10 (1), 2009, 85-92.
[10] S. Abubakar, Nigeria losing battle against Indian hemp. Weekly trust online. Saturday, 02 July 2011. Retrieved on January 10, 2013 from http://weeklytrust.com.ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6451:nigeria-losing-battle-against-indian-hemp&catid=40:cover-stories&Itemid=26

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Improving Students' Learning Outcomes In Practical Physics, Which Is Better? Computer Simulated Experiment or Hands-On Experiment?
Country	:	Nigeria
Authors	:	Benson Adesina Adegoke, Nkiruka Chukwunenye
	:	10.9790/7388-0261826

Abstract: In this study, the authors examined the effect of computer simulated experiment on students' learning outcomes in Physics practical. The sample consisted of 359 senior secondary school two students (16 – 18 years), who were randomly selected from six secondary schools in Oweri and Orlu Educational Zones in Imo State, Nigeria. There were three treatment groups: Computer Simulated Experiment only, Computer Simulated Experiment + Hands-on Experiment, and Hands-on Experiment only. Students' level of mathematical reasoning ability was also introduced to serve as moderator variable. Students' combined scores in manipulative skills in physics practical (MSPP) and Physics achievement test (PAT) were used as dependent variable. Results showed that students who were exposed to both computer simulated experiment and hands-on experiment performed best among the three groups while students in the Hands-on Experiment group performed worst in MSPP and PAT. This results show the superiority of computer simulated experiment over hands-on experiment. It was interesting to note students with moderate mathematics reasoning ability performed best in all the groups. This findings shows that computer simulated experiments can be usedto enhance the performance of an average mathematical ability student. Therefore efforts should be made to equip physics laboratory with computer software that can be used for computer simulated experiments in physics practical. Key words: Computer simulated experiment, Hands-on experiment, Physics practical, Mathematics reasoning ability, Achievement in physics

1] Adams, W.K. Finkelstein, N.D. Reid, S. Dubson, N., Podolefsky, N. Wieman, C.E. and Lemaster, R.Mckagan, S.B. (2008). A Study of Educational Simulations Part I: Engagement Learning. Journal of Interactive Learning Research. 19, 397-419.
[2] Adegoke, B.A. (2011). Effect of Multimedia instruction on senior secondary school students‟ achievement in Physics.Journal of Educational Studies, 3, 537 - 550
[3] Alkhalifah, A.A. 2005. Investigating Students‟ Learning with Web-based Virtual Laboratory Activities Using Computer Simulations.College of telecommunication Department, Riyadh Saudi Arabia.Retrieved June 20, 2012 from http://elexforum.hbmeu.ac.ae/proceeding/pdf/inv.
[4] Ariyo, A. O. (2006). School and student factors as determinants of students' achievement at the secondary school level in Oyo State, Nigeria.Unpublished Doctoral Thesis, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
[5] Azar, A., Şengülec, Ö.A. (2011). Computer-Assisted and Laboratory Assisted teaching methods in physics teaching: The effect on student achievement and attitude towards physics. Eurasian Journal of Physics and Chemistry Education (Special Issue) 43 – 50.
[6] Bayrak, B., Kanli, U., Kandilİngec (2007) To compare the effects of computer based learning and the laboratory based learnimg on students‟ achievement regarding electric circuits. The Turkish Journal of Educational Technology, 6, 15 – 24
[7] Chukwunenye, J. N. (2011). Effects of two modes of computer simulated experiment on senior secondary school students' achievement and interest in practical physics. Pre field seminar Paper, Department of Teacher Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
[8] Federal Government of Nigeria (2004).National Policy on Education, Lagos: NERDC.

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Solar Energy in India – a Motivation for Engineering Undergraduates
Country	:	India
Authors	:	S. Ramanan, R. Sridharan
	:	10.9790/7388-0262730

Abstract: This paper describes the need for India to switch towards using renewable energy. Being the nation having over 18% of its total population in the 15-24 age groups, there is a very high potential of acquiring a man-power which can help achieve the projected targets in developing and establishing renewable energy sources. A brief status and statistical analysis of the rising need of power generation is given. The employment scenario of Indian engineers in the Information Technology (IT) sector irrespective of their specialization is discussed. To use the full potential of Indian engineers, solar photovoltaic is portrayed to be the next major area. There is a discussion on the need for inclusion of solar photo-voltaic coursework in the Undergraduate curriculum. A brief introduction and conceptual discussion of solar photo-voltaic is given as a motivation to the undergraduate students.

Keywords: Employment, India, Renewable Energy, Solar, Undergraduate curriculum

[1] Energy Statistics 2013, Central Statistics Office, National Statistical Organization, MSPI, Government of India
[2] India's Energy Scenario in 2013 – Challenges & Prospects, Hydrocarbon Asia, Jan-Mar 2013
[3] Bidyadhar Subudhi, Raseswari Pradhan, A Comparative Study on Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques for Photovoltaic Power Systems, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, VOL. 4, NO. 1, JANUARY 2013