ISLAMIC STUDIES TEACHERS’ ACCEPTANCE OF MOBILE LEARNING IN ILORIN SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

The increased accessibility to mobile networks coupled with a decrease in the cost of mobile devices has significant implications for transforming the educational instructional environment, particularly in the area of m-learning. Against this background, the study examined Islamic Studies teachers’ acceptance of mobile learning in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Descriptive research method was adopted for this study. The population for this study was all Islamic studies teachers in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State Nigeria. One hundred and twenty teachers of Islamic Studies were selected as respondents for this study using purposive sampling technique. A researcher- designed questionnaire was used. Research questions were answered using mean and percentage at an alpha level of 0.05. Finding of this study revealed that the level of acceptance of mobile phones in teaching of Islamic studies in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria was high 115 (95.8%). Teachers of Islamic studies used mostly Internet, Video Camera, Taking Note and others respectively. Teachers of Islamic studies also used of mobile phones application very frequently, frequently, sometimes, and not at all teaching and learning of Islamic studies. Based on these findings, the study concluded that the level of acceptance of mobile phones in teaching of Islamic studies in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria was high. The study recommended based on the findings that government at all levels should assist in the provision of more modern mobile phones in secondary schools for teaching of Islamic Studies

Outdoor physical activities for people over 65 years old: an educational and social project

Aim In old age, to minimize reductions in strength and aerobic capacity and counteract the effects of aging that can compromise health statuses, preventive measures must be taken that lead to healthier lifestyle. This paper describes an educational and social project carried out in Italy, the aim of which was to recruit sedentary individuals aged ≥65 years to participate in organized motor activities. This paper describes an educational and social project carried out in Italy, the aim of which was to recruit sedentary individuals aged ≥65 years to participate in organized motor activities. Methods: The project involved the organization of a series of free motor activities in the city allocated to different times of day during the summer season. The local municipality was involved to ensure the effective communication of the initiative to the public. All the teachers recruited onto the initiative underwent a period of training in adapted motor activities prior to their participation. Results: The project was started in 2006 and has now been running uninterruptedly for 15 years. It has gone from 165 attendances registered in the first year to 3652 attendances in 2020. Discussion; The participation in recreational activities is subject to mobility and the possibility of accessing opportunities present in the area, overcoming the barriers present in the environment or the fear of moving in the environment. Conclusions: The potential benefits deriving from physical activities—provided for free to maximize participation—are of significant social and health value. The project started fifteen years ago, and could be expanded further by collaborating with other initiatives provided by other networks and other local or national projects

Boston Unplugged: Mapping a Wireless Future

Reviews a variety of models that would allow Boston to provide free or low-cost high-speed Internet access citywide. Outlines the benefits and mechanics of citywide WiFi, and lists factors to consider in designing, developing, and deploying a system

Trends and dilemmas facing environmental education in Portugal: from environmental problem assessment to citizenship involvement

Environmental education (EE) emerged in Portugal as an organized field of collective action about 30 years ago. At this time of the return to democracy, major social and environmental changes had begun to occur. Yet, after 30 years of EE, together with significant improvements in the education system and curricula, the real impacts of these mostly voluntary and aggressive efforts aimed at preparing future citizens to deal effectively and sensitively with environmental problem solving are not yet evident. The pathways and social context of these efforts aimed at upgrading EE in Portugal, and their apparent failure to meet their objectives, form the basis of the analysis in this paper. The authors examine the results of a survey questionnaire sent to 15,000 public and private schools all running projects formally associated with both EE and education for sustainable development (ESD). The primary purpose of the analysis was to identify the trends, constraints, and potentials for these EE/ESD projects and initiatives within primary and secondary schools. In addition, perspectives as to the emerging trends in ESD in Portugal are discussed, bearing in mind the shifting educational context

Wider Horizons: a regional portal for lifelong learning

The paper describes the development of a major new regional online service. Our project is creating an online educational environment open to students and members of the public to provide them with services and information they need to progress from one form of education to another within the local region. The project is being carried out at the University of Worcester in collaboration with the Hereford and Worcester Lifelong Learning Network, one of a series of networks set up across the UK. We hope that the outcome of our project will lead to setting up of similar systems in other regions, and indeed, in other parts of Europe

Complex regional innovation networks and HEI engagement the case of Chicago

This article considers how HEIs engage within local complex development networks in order to develop the urban metropolis, using the case of Chicago as a specific example. It focuses on three main issues: how collaboration occurs amongst regional stakeholders; how goals are set and how shared goals have been created; and the extent to which there exist conflicting views amongst stakeholders, and their capability to create solutions where there are disagreements and clashing purposes. Chicago is in the middle of making a paradigm shift, with at its core an open system approach that includes a variety of ways to engage citizen-users as co-creators, including through user-driven innovation and digitalised services. In the metropolitan area there is a widely shared goal amongst stakeholders to develop and improve novel approaches for regional engagement to enhance innovativeness and competitiveness. The paradigm shift in regional engagement from building co-operation clusters to one of organisational betweenness and open systemic thinking requires new skills in management and leadership centred on interaction, co-creation and sharing of knowledge

What's Going on in Community Media

What's Going On in Community Media shines a spotlight on media practices that increase citizen participation in media production, governance, and policy. The report summarizes the findings of a nationwide scan of effective and emerging community media practices conducted by the Benton Foundation in collaboration with the Community Media and Technology Program of the University of Massachusetts, Boston. The scan includes an analysis of trends and emerging practices; comparative research; an online survey of community media practitioners; one-on-one interviews with practitioners, funders and policy makers; and the information gleaned from a series of roundtable discussions with community media practitioners in Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Portland, Oregon