RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF CASE-BASED AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES ON STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT AND RETENTION IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PHYSICS

This study investigated the relative effectiveness of case-based and collaborative learning strategies on students’ achievement and retention in senior secondary school physics. The study adopted pretest, posttest control group design. Simple random sampling technique was used to select three schools used for the study. The sample used for the study was eighty five (85) senior secondary two (SS 2) physics students randomly selected from the three schools in Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. The study made use of Physics Achievement Test (PAT) with internal consistency of 0.84 using Kuder Richardson Formular 21. The data collected were analysed using Analysis of Covariance and Scheffe post hoc analysis was used to obtain the direction of significance. From the findings, it was observed that, learning strategies had significant main effect on students’ achievement (F(2,82)= 134.97, p = 0.000) and retention (F(2,82)= 20.67, p = .000) in the concept of optics in physics. The results of the Scheffe post hoc analysis indicated that, case-based learning strategy was the most effective in facilitating students’ achievement and retention in the concept of optics. This was followed by collaborative learning strategy while conventional learning strategy was found to be the least facilitative. Conclusion from the findings led to the recommendation that, teachers should be encouraged to adopt the use of case-based and collaborative learning strategy in teaching the concept of optics in physics in order for the students to develop problem solving skills, construction of knowledge and student-centred activities.  Article visualizations

Assessing Local Community Participation in Tourism Planning and Development in Erin-Ijesha Waterfall Osun State, Nigeria

The basic element of tourism planning and development is to encourage the local communities’ participation as it is central to the sustainability of tourism industry. Many literatures have suggested a number of roles local communities could play in tourism development but failed as to how the locals themselves feel about this. This paper therefore focuses on Erin-Ijesha community participation in tourism development by examining their views on their role in the planning and development of Erin-Ijesha Waterfall resort. Data were gathered by reviewing office records and academic books, administration of 205 questionnaire and field observation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data collected for the study. Findings revealed that local communities want to be involved when tourism policies are being made to enable policy makers to prepare a policy that meets stakeholders’ needs and addresses  their concerns. The locals also want to be actively involved on decisions bothered on tourism development to ensure their needs are incorporated. Also, they equally want to a voice in development issues generally to enable them protect their community’s norms, values and interests and increase transparency and equity. The findings also revealed that the locals are against the prevailing ‘top-down’ approach in decision making when it comes to tourism development in their areas. Keywords: Erin-Ijesha, local community, Tourism planning, sustainabilit

Uses of Computer and its Relevance to Teaching and Learning in Nigerian Educational System

This paper examined the uses of computer and its relevance to teaching and learning in Nigerian secondary schools. The need for computer education and its objectives in Nigerian educational system were identified and discussed. The roles the classroom teachers would play and the challenges they would have to face in using computer for instruction were also highlighted. Possible solutions were suggested to ensure successful implementation of computer education programme in Nigerian secondary schools.Key words: computer education, analog computer, digital computer, hybridcomputer

The Pricing of Audit Services in Nigeria Commercial Banks

This  study investigates the determinants of audit fees in commercial banks in Nigeria.  Data were collected from a sample of banks mostly quoted on Nigerian Stock Exchange.  Consistent with previous studies, the result of our data analysis showed that bank size,  degree of bank complexity and transaction and saving accounts to total deposit ratio are positively related and statistically significant to audit fees charged by the auditors.  Even though , non performing loan  is positively related to audit fees , it is statistically insignificant.  While, the risk weighted capital adequacy ratio is negatively related and statistically insignificant to audit fees. Keywords: Audit fees, commercial banks, firm size, subsidiaries, auditor

POTABILITY AND IRRIGATION POTENTIAL OF GROUNDWATER SOURCES AT THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

Groundwater is an important source of freshwater and its quality determines it’s potential for domestic and agricultural use. Water samples from ten boreholes located within the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria were collected and analysed for physico-chemical and bacteriological properties, cations and metals using standard procedures. Results were compared with the regulatory standards while water quality index (WQI) method was used to classify the water potability. Potential of groundwater for irrigation was investigated using appropriate indices. The range of values for the measured parameters include: pH: 6.9 – 7.82; electrical conductivity(EC): 127 – 650 μS/cm; total dissolved solids (TDS): 58 to 284 mg/L; magnesium (Mg2+): 10 - 61 mg/L; nitrates (NO3-): 0.01 – 1.38 mg/L; iron (Fe): 0.02 – 0.05 mg/L; biological oxygen demand (BOD): 0.1 – 2.83 mg/L and total coliform: ND - 28×10cfu/mL. Majority of the water quality parameters fell within regulatory limits with the exception of magnesium and total coliforms. Escherichia coli, an indicator of faecal contamination was also absent in the water samples. On the average, groundwater within the study area has a WQI = 46.3 and can be classified to be of good quality for domestic use.  Sodium absorption ratio (SAR) was less than 10% and Magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR) was less 50 %, and are therefore classified as of excellent quality for irrigation purpose. Soluble sodium percentage (SSP) values range between 11.1 and 51 %. All samples were found to be good or fair for irrigation purpose with no harmful effects to the soil.     &nbsp

ETHNOTHERAPEUTIC EVALUATION AND ANTI-NUTRIENT CONTENT OF COMMON PLANTS USED FOR MANAGEMENT OF KIDNEY AND LIVER DISORDERS IN ODEDA COMMUNITIES, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

A survey study was carried out on plants used to manage kidney and liver diseases in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of hundred (100) questionnaire were administered using stratified sampling method on traditional herbal practitioners. Ethnobotanical data such as, plants and plant parts and methods of extraction used were sought. Anti-nutrients of the frequently mentioned plants were also evaluated. Data were subjected to Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with probability set at p<0.05 and descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 55.5% of the respondents were females while 45.5% were males. Largest percentage (47.9%) were between the ages 41-60years.  Twenty six 26(26.0%) of the respondents were herbalists, 34(34.0%) were herb sellers, 21(21.0%) were Traditional practitioners while 19 (19.0%) were Traditional practitioners and herb sellers. Twenty three (23) of the respondents had 1-5years, 35 had 6-10 years while 42 of them had being in the herbal profession for more than 10 years. Seventy four percent (74%) of plants collated during this study were available both in home garden and markets. Fifty 50 plants species belonging to 37 families were reported being used to manage kidney and liver diseases. Malvaceae and meliaceae were the most frequently mentioned families. Largest number of plants 20(40%) collated were trees, followed by herbs 19(38%) while vegetable 1(2%) was vegetable. The most commonly used plants part were Leaves, barks roots, fruits, seeds bulbs and combination of any of these parts. Decoction, soaking, infusion, grinding, strong heating paste and combination(s) of any of these methods were employed for preparing herbal remedies of these diseases. No significant difference (P>0.05) was recorded in the phytate content of Khaya ivorensis and Kigelia africana leaves. Similar observation was recorded in the oxalate and cyanide content of Chasmantheran dependens and Kigelia africana leaves.. Polyphenol and tannins were significantly different across the leaves of plants under this investigation. No significantly different (P>0.05) was recorded in the quantity of phytate present in Chasmantheran dependens and Kigelia africana, oxalate of  Chasmantheran dependens, Kigelia africana and Azadirachta  indica, and cyanide in root of the plants. Highest phytate (13.00) was recorded in Azadirachta  indica, oxalate (12.33), Polyphenol (9.00) and cyanide (4.33) in Ficus exasperate while tannins (16.00) were recorded in the leaves of Chasmantheran dependens.Keywords: Ethnobotanical data , Anti-nutrient content, Kidney and Liver disorder

Mathematical modelling and kinetics of thermal decomposition of corn stover using thermogravimetry (TGA-DTG) technique

Lignocellulosic biomass could be pyrolytically converted into value-added products and one of the steps during the pyrolysis is thermal decomposition which involves multiple reactions. Therefore, mathematical modelling of thermal decomposition could provide molecular insight into thermal degradation reactions by providing accurate prediction of the phases of the multi-component reactions in particular nucleation, growth and boundaryphase reactions occurring under different working conditions. In this study, thermal decomposition behaviour of Corn Stover was explored using thermogravimetry technique (TGA-DTG) at heating rates of 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C/min under nitrogen gas flow (55 mL/min) and oxygen gas flow at 15 mL/min. The Flynn-Wall Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger Akahira Sunose (KAS) models were used to estimate the kinetic parameters such as apparent activation energy, pre-exponential factor and order of reaction so as to be able to design the pyrolytic reactor that could be used for the biomass conversion. The hemicellulose maximum mass loss rate was at 300 °C, cellulose at 410 °C and lignin decomposition from 190 °C to 620 °C. The apparent activation energies calculated ranged from 44.39 -134.81 kJ/mol using the FWO method while the KAS method gave 87.83 - 282.41 kJ/mol

EDUCATIONAL FACTORS AS DETERMINANT OF INTERNATIONAL RESERVES ACCUMULATION IN ORGANISATION OF PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES

There has been tepid growth of international reserves in OPEC economies despite huge chunks of oil revenue with high developmental needs. This study investigated the influence of educational factors using various levels of literacy in stimulating macroeconomic determinants of international reserves in OPEC member states with data between 2008 and 2018 obtained from World Bank Development Indicators across 15 member states. The study employed dynamic panel model and analysed the data using System of Generalised Method of Moment (SGMM). The findings show that educational levels, such as, adult, youth literacy, tertiary school and secondary school enrolment mitigate the adverse effect of exchange rate and stimulate the effect of crude oil prices while tertiary enrolment stimulate the effect of foreign direct investment and reduce the adverse effect of economic crises. In all, youth literacy was most impactful for these economies while economic crises were significantly positive at all levels as a primary determinant of international reserve accumulation. It was therefore concluded that educational enhance the economy to accumulate more reserves. The study recommended among others that national governments should ensure adequate funding is channelled to educational sector to improve the quality of education at institutions youth and secondary education levels in order to harness adequate knowledge and skills to enhance the efficiency of foreign investments

AMINO ACID ANALYSES OF THE ANTARCTIC CM2 METEORITES ALH 83100 AND LEW 90500 USING LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-TIME OF FLIGHT-MASS SPECTROMETRY

The investigation of organic compounds in primitive carbonaceous meteorites provides a record of the chemical processes that occurred in the early solar system. In particular, amino acids have been shown to be potential indicators in tracing the nature of carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies [ 13. The delivery of amino acids by carbonaceous chondrites to the early Earth could have been any important source of the Earth's prebiotic organic inventory [2]. Over 80 different amino acids have been detected in the Murchison CM2 meteorite, most of them completely non-existent in the terrestrial biosphere [3]. We have optimized a new liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-ToF-MS) technique coupled with OPAMAC derivatization in order to detect amino acids in meteorite extracts by UV fluorescence and exact mass simultaneously. The detection limit of the LC-ToF-MS instrument for amino acids is at least 3 orders of magnitude lower than traditional GC-MS techniques. Here we report on the first analyses of amino acids and their enantiomeric abundances in the CM2 carbonaceous meteorites ALH 83100, LEW 90500, and Murchison using this new LC-ToF-MS instrument configuration. Amino acid analyses of any kind for the CM meteorite ALH 83100 have not previously been reported