Emphasizing Phenomenology as a Research Paradigm for Interpreting Growth and Development in Mathematics Education

Evidence from researches emanating from Nigeria in the field of mathematics education has revealed an over-reliance on broad methods of empirical inquiry. There seem to be a general stereotypical restriction on approaches to conducting investigation across the noble discipline, thereby stifling the spirit of innovation, open-mindedness and scholarly inquisitiveness. This discourse is premised on the possibility that obtaining better answers to inquiries may rest largely in qualitative approaches that rely more on the subjects of the inquiries than on the preconceptions of the inquirer. Phenomenology as a qualitative approach to research in mathematics education seek to interpret the multiple constituents of consciousness and the numerous cognitive and affective dimensions of the contending issues, trends, progress, prospects and challenges of the profession. In phenomenology, the aim of the researcher is to describe as accurately as possible the phenomenon, reframing from any pre-given framework, but remaining true to the essence as seen from the perspectives of the people involved. The fundamental submission of this paper therefore, is the need to extensively adopt empirical phenomenology to unearth and interpret the growth and development of mathematics education in Nigeria

Blown Away in the Wind of Change: Can Extinct School Folktales be awakened through Mathematics Storytelling in Nigerian Basic Education?

Storytelling has been severally regarded as the oldest method of instruction delivery, particularly for children. This study adopts a simple survey research design to explore the extent of storytelling usage by teachers in the mathematics classroom at the primary education level in Nigeria. The investigation was conducted on the premise that traditional folktales are heading down the path to extinction and are steadily being blown away in the wind of change being fanned by increasing technology penetration in the country. The participants of the study are 38 mathematics teachers drawn randomly from primary schools within Makurdi metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria. Analysis of data obtained through the Basic mathematics Storytelling Investigation (BMSI) revealed that despite the high level of awareness of storytelling as a teaching approach among mathematics teachers, only a meager 37% make use of stories in their mathematics classroom. Additional thematic analysis of stories described by the teachers showed that stories were used to illustrate learning points and motivate learners to action within the instructional context. An unintended outcome from the qualitative methods unveiled specific patterns of stories used by the mathematics teachers that are far from local folktales and oral traditions. There was also an indication that with an appropriate awareness campaign, primary mathematics teachers intend to use storytelling in their future teaching practice

A suspected case of digitalis toxicity secondary to therapeutic management of congestive heart failure in a Boerboel dog

A 15 months old male Boerboel, weighing 25kg presented to Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Abeokuta, Nigeria, with complaint of abdominal distention, emaciation and anorexia was diagnosed of congestive heart failure (CHF) of unknown etiology. At presentation, prominent S- wave voltages in lead II, III electrocardiogram, a positive R-wave in lead AVR and a mean electrical axis of -900 suggestive of right ventricular enlargement were evident. A right atrial enlargement was also suspected due to the presence of a tented P-wave on the electrocardiogram. Digoxin was administered at 0.01 mg/kg orally, once daily to increase cardiac contractility and reduce heart rate; Enalapril given at 0.5 mg/kg orally once daily was to blunt the renin angiotensin aldosterone response, Furosemide at 2mg/kg orally, once daily was administered to increase natriuresis and diuresis. After 2 weeks of medication the dogs exhibited signs of digitalis toxicity such as ventricular premature contraction, ventricular tachycardia. This case is a rare occurrence and has not been reported in our veterinary clinics. The management of CHF with standard dose regime of digitalis requires therapeutic drug monitoring as it could result in breed specific toxicity

Haematological and Biochemical Changes in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Dogs Treated with Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves

Moringa oleifera is a medicinal plant that has been used traditionally for the treatment of a number of ailments.  The haematological and biochemical changes following treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic dogs with aqueous extract of M. oleifera leaves was investigated in this study. Fifteen dogs with mean weight of 10 ± 1.3 kg) were divided into three equal groups. Group A were neither induced nor treated. Group B were induced but, untreated. Groups C were induced and treated with Moringa extract 5.2% (300mg/kg) orally in water, once daily, for 42 days post induction. Blood was collected from all dogs pre-induction, post-induction and post-treatment for haematological and biochemical analysis. Values obtained were expressed as mean ± standard error of means and data were analysed by one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni's Multiple Comparison Test using Graph Pad. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) of group C decreased significantly (P < 0.05) post treatment compared to group B. The Packed Cell Volume, red blood cell count and haemoglobin concentration insignificantly (P < 0.05) decreased in diabetic groups post-induction and post-treatment, while white blood cells count increased. Platelet count increased post-induction and post-treatment. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in diabetic groups compared to non-diabetic group post-induction and then decreased in group C post-treatment with moringa extract. Albumin and total protein concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) post-induction in diabetic groups but, decreased in group C post-treatment. In conclusion, diabetes caused decrease in haematological parameters, and increased platelet count and some biochemical parameters, while moringa extract decreased biochemical parameters in dogs. Key words: Haematobiochemical changes, M. oleifera, Diabetes, dog

Blown Away in the Wind of Change: Can Extinct School Folktales be Awakened through Mathematics Storytelling in Nigerian Basic Education?

Storytelling has been severally regarded as the oldest method of instruction delivery, particularly for children. This study adopts a simple survey research design to explore the extent of storytelling usage by teachers in the mathematics classroom at the primary education level in Nigeria. The investigation was conducted on the premise that traditional folktales are heading down the path to extinction and are steadily being blown away in the wind of change being fanned by increasing technology penetration in the country. The participants of the study are 38 mathematics teachers drawn randomly from primary schools within Makurdi metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria. Analysis of data obtained through the Basic mathematics Storytelling Investigation (BMSI) revealed that despite the high level of awareness of storytelling as a teaching approach among mathematics teachers, only a meager 37% make use of stories in their mathematics classroom. Additional thematic analysis of stories described by the teachers showed that stories were used to illustrate learning points and motivate learners to action within the instructional context. An unintended outcome from the qualitative methods unveiled specific patterns of stories used by the mathematics teachers that are far from local folktales and oral traditions. There was also an indication that with an appropriate awareness campaign, primary mathematics teachers intend to use storytelling in their future teaching practice

Perceptions of tech-augmented learning in basic mathematics among university students: A case of matrix algebra tools

This study was designed to gauge first-year students’ patterns of classroom interactions and perception while using certain Matrix Algebra tools to augment a Basic Mathematics class. Survey research design was adopted and the Tech-Augmented Learning Questionnaire (TALQ) was used as the instrument for data collection from sixty (60) first-year students enrolled on the course at a Federal University in North Central Nigeria. The results of the study indicate a high positive perception of the technology augmentation with an overall mean of 4.19, which was reasonably above the TALQ metric benchmark of 3.0. The students expressed that they liked the tech-augmented learning activities, felt a high sense of satisfaction and achievement, and had a high expectation for their personal academic performance as a result of the tech-augmented learning activities. The students accepted that the approach used in the course improved their computational skills and allowed them to work at their own speed to achieve learning objectives. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that classroom instruction should be planned around available technological tools to enrich students learning experience, particularly in Mathematics education

Sequence Analysis of Human Trypanosome Detected in a 1-Year Old Boer-boel with a Case of Trypanosomosis in Abeokuta, Nigeria

African trypanosomosis is a devastating protozoan disease affecting man and animals. The species Trypanosoma brucei gambiemse and T.brucei rhodiense are specifically responsible for causing sleeping sickness in human in Africa. In this study, T. brucei gambiemse was molecularly detected in a dog presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria with signs of corneal opacity, mucopurulent ocular discharges, pale mucous membrane and recumbency. Haematological examination revealed PCV of 12%, decreased lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. Gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product revealed a band of 580bp corresponding to T. brucei. Sequencing of the PCR product revealed T. brucei gambiemse. We concluded that T. brucei gambiemse (a human infective trypanosome) is capable of causing clinical trypanosomosis in dogs. This report presents sequence analysis of human infective species of trypanosome molecularly detected in a 1-year old Boer boel breed of dog in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Keywords: Sequences, Trypanosoma brucei gambiemse, Boerboel, Nigeria

Design, Implementation and Assessment of a Web-Based Ethnomathematics Instructional Content Repository for Mathematics Teachers in Benue State, Nigeria

This study developed and assessed a web-based ethnomathematics instructional content repository for pre-service and in-service mathematics teachers in Benue State, Nigeria. The study adopted a developmental research design to systematically build and evaluate the educational intervention as a solution to complex problems in mathematics education practice. The development was achieved using WordPress Version 5.4, hosted online at on Linux OS server running with cPanel v80.p (Build 20), Apache Version 2.4.39, PHP Version 5.6.40 and MySQL Version 5.7.26. The study was guided by seven research questions posed around common web metrics, key performance indices, and quality assessment in terms of content, navigation, structure, appearance and uniqueness of the designed web tool. Five hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance using t-test. Analysis of the results of the study yielded a positive pattern of common web metrics for the designed web tool, indicating that the platform appeals to a wide range of users, with key performance indicators such as speed index, page size, and last painted hero affirming that the platform is robust, elegantly designed and fast. The Web-based Ethnomathematics Instructional Content Repository has humanized Mathematics for users and provided a reservoir of resources for training students in conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence, adaptive reasoning and productive disposition. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that Mathematics teachers should continue to use the Web- based Ethnomathematics Instructional Content Repository as a worthy companion tailored to their specific professional needs, and that students across all levels of education should seek deeper and more enriched learning experience by continuously leveraging on instructional resources available on the web tool

Diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica isolated from fresh produce and environmental samples

In Nigeria, as in most developing countries, vegetable farmers depend largely on wastewater for irrigation and on untreated manure for soil enrichment. Salmonella is among the most important foodborne pathogens worldwide with fresh vegetables as major route of transmission to man. A total of 440 samples comprising vegetables and environmental samples (irrigation water and manure treated soil) were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella, resistance and virulence genes and diversity of isolates by genotyping. Samples were obtained from five irrigation fields in Kano and Plateau States and cultured using selective isolation with prior enrichment method. Presumptive isolates were identified and characterized using conventional biochemical methods and Microbact 24E (Oxoid, UK) identification kit. Amplification of virulence (invasive A and enterotoxin) genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) further confirmed Salmonella and its virulence potential. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic concensus (ERIC) fingerprinting PCR showed genetic diversity of confirmed isolates. Confirmed isolates were evaluated for susceptibilities to eight commonly used antimicrobial agents. Sixty-one (13.9%) samples were positive for Salmonella. The distribution of serotypes included; Salmonella typhi (7.7%), Salmonella paratyphi (2.0%) and Salmonella typhimurium (4.1%). S. typhi had the highest isolation rate and was most commonly detected in vegetables. Simultaneous resistance to all antibiotics assayed was found amongst the salmonellae. Fingerprinting pattern of the Salmonella strains from the different samples showed marked similarities and close genetic relatedness. Cluster analysis at a coefficient of similarity of 0.82 grouped the fifteen strains of Salmonella assayed into five different groups. Our results indicate that irrigated vegetables are vehicles of transmission of potentially pathogenic Salmonella isolates that can contribute to the development of salmonellosis and other Salmonella related infections in Nigeria. This study provides data that support the potential transmission strains of Salmonella harboring virulence and resistance factors from vegetables and environmental sources to cause infections in humans

Vector-borne haemoparasitic and rickettsial diseases of dogs in South west, Nigeria: An eleven years retrospective study

Adequate knowledge of the occurrence and seasonal variation in the distribution of parasitic and rickettsial diseases affecting dogs is required for formulation of effective disease control measures. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of vector borne  haemoparasites and rickettsial of dogs between 2009 and 2019. Clinical records of dogs presented for clinical examination and confirmed by microscopic screening of their blood were assessed and analysed statistically. Overall, 1483 dogs were presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH). This included 641 (43.2%) male, 842 (56.8%) female, 967 (65.2%) young and 516 (34.8%) adult dogs. 33 (2.2%) and 1450 (97.8%) were mongrel and exotic breeds, respectively. 511 (34.5%) were infected with either haemoparasites or rickettsial. This comprised 34.0% (218/641) and 34.8% (293/842) male and female, 317 (32.8%) and 194 (37.6%) young and adult dogs, respectively. There was no significant (p =0.05) difference in the prevalence among sexes and age groups. Seasonal prevalence was 35.88% (315/878) and 32.40% (196/605) in wet and dry seasons, respectively. Six haemoparasites/rickettsials were reported from 511 dogs, these included single infections of Babesia species 477 (93.5%), Ehrlichia species 8 (1.6%), Hepatozoon canis 2(0.39%),  Mycoplasma haemocanis 7 (1.4%), Trypanosoma species 16 (3.1%) and mixed infection of Babesia and Hepatozoon canis 1 (0.2%). The mean PCV values were significantly (t = 2.45; P = 0.014) different between infected and non-infected dogs. This study suggests that Babesia spp. isthe most prevalentin the dogs presented to the VTH in the study area and the detection of Trypanosoma spp. in some dogssuggeststhat dogs could be reservoir of trypanosomesfor both animals and human. Keywords: Dogs, haemoparasites, prevalence, retrospective-stud