Using Cooperative Learning Model to Enhance Academic Performance of Teacher Trainees in Some Selected Topics in Integrated Science at Saint Monica’s College Of Education

The study sought to investigate the effects of using cooperative learning on female teacher trainees of the Colleges of Education in learning some selected topics in Integrated Science. The investigation also sought to determine whether the Cooperative Learning Approach enhances the attitude and motivation of the trainees towards learning of Integrated Science. The study was carried out at the St. Monica’s College of Education in the Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region. In all, 80 teacher trainees consisting of 40 each from control and experimental groups were purposively sampled to participate in the study. The teacher trainees in the experimental group were exposed to the Cooperative Learning Approach and the trainees in the control group were lectured during the period of the study. The results of the study showed that the cooperative learning strategy was very relevant and beneficial in helping the teacher trainees of the St. Monica’s College of Education to improve on their performance in, and attitudes towards, the teaching and learning of Integrated Science. It was therefore recommended among other things that the science teachers should endeavour to integrate cooperative learning into their routine methods of instruction in the teaching and learning of Integrated Science

Determining Teachers’ TPACK through observations and self-report data

This study reports an arrangement directed at the development of 12 pre-service teachers’ TPACK, by guiding them in developing, practicing and teaching lessons that integrate technology for the first time. Interview, observation, and survey data were collected throughout the study. Results from the study confirmed the contention of Koehler and Mishra (2008) that teachers’ TPACK can be expressed in different ways for different students and in different contextual conditions. Analysis of lesson plan documents showed a well presented theoretical development of the teachers’ TPACK. This seemed to have aligned with their self-reported beliefs which reported slightly higher competencies of TPACK. Observation data however, indicated that teachers had acquired technology integration skills but demonstrated relatively low competencies in blending the components of TPACK. The study leaves no doubts that these teachers’ stated pedagogical beliefs did not align with their instructional practice

Pre-service mathematics teachers' learning and teaching of activity-based lessons supported with spreadsheets

Mathematics education research has shown that too few students have adequate mathematics comprehension or problem-solving skills. To make up for this lapse in student outcomes, mathematics teachers should be among the most enthusiastic in seeking to maximize technologies’ potential to develop student understanding, stimulate student interest, and increase student mathematics proficiency. In this study, pre-service mathematics teachers worked in teams to develop their knowledge and skills in designing activity-based lessons supported by spreadsheets. The pre-service teachers developed and demonstrated their knowledge and skill adequately during the design and enactment of their lessons. The results also showed that, the activity-based lessons supported by spreadsheets served a useful pedagogical approach, impacted on student learning outcomes and has the potential of improving teaching and learning mathematics in secondary educatio

TOBIT ESTIMATION OF THE INTENSITY OF EXPORT SUCCESS OF HORTICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN GHANA

Purpose- The issue of export success and the ability to sustain oneself in international horticultural markets have become more critical in the recent global and economic downturn because of its significance to the economy and to actors in the horticultural export chain. The extent of success is even much critical for enterprises. Therefore this study establishes the factors which influence the intensity of export success which measures the extent of export success. Design- Primary data were collected from 52 managers and representatives of horticultural exporting firms through a semi-structured questionnaire. The tobit model was used to estimate the intensity of export success by horticultural enterprises in Ghana. Findings- The result indicates that, manager’s educational level, managers past experience, manager trained in export management, manager’s entrepreneurial orientation, presence of export department, product diversification and government support directly influences the intensity of export success. Export barriers and constraints in accessing working capital negatively influences intensity of export success. Practical implications- Personnel or personal development in terms of training in export management and build up of experience is important in the quest to improve the intensity of export success. Organizational reforms such as institution of export department and diversifying horticultural export products improves the intensity of export success. To improve the intensity of success, external factors such as working capital inaccessibility and trade barriers should be addressed by various stake holders. In all government and institutional interventions has been proved to be of the essence. Originality/value- Although various determinants of export performance or success have been established by researchers the factors that influence the intensity of export success is not known. This study therefore bridges this gab.Tobit, export success, horticulture, enterprises, Ghana, Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade,

FDP – VCU Data Acquisition Device

There is a need to monitor critical information during brake testing to obtain feedback and, ultimately, more insight on the brake performance of a vehicle. Currently, much of the data logging equipment required for testing is very specialized and consequently expensive. Additionally, automotive test vehicles apply older technology that is often not integrated with data analytics for calibrating stopping distance, number of stops, deceleration, and brake squeal. Presently, drivers fill out forms describing issues with brakes. Our team generated a device for FDP Brakes that monitors brake pad temperature, brake line pressure, and GPS location and speed of a test vehicle. This device is able to write data to an SD card in a tabulated format that can be interpreted by spreadsheet software to generate graphs of temperature, pressure, and speed/acceleration over time. Furthermore, the data can be viewed overlaying a map, implemented with a Google Maps web page applet, to show where events occurred. The device also displays up-to-date information at runtime regarding brake temperature and pressure, along with device status messages for error reporting and brake squeal detection, on a small LCD.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1184/thumbnail.jp

Digitalization of revenue mobilization in an emerging economy: the new Institutional Theory perspective

This study sought to explore how the institutional environment comprising regulative, normative, and cognitive factors influences the use of technology in revenue mobilization in the public sector of an emerging economy. The study used the new institutional theory as a theoretical lens and a qualitative case study as a methodological stance. Data was collected from the agency in charge of revenue mobilization in the developing economy through interviews. The study established that regulative, normative and cognitive factors influence the digitalization of revenue mobilization. With regards to the regulative pillar, it was revealed that legislation for a revenue authority with a focus on digitalization, legislation for taxpayer identification and legislation for electronic transactions were laws that governed the use of the system and played essential roles in ensuring that the system was used effectively to fully realize its benefits. The cognitive pillar, on the other hand, revealed some challenges faced with the implementation and use of the digital system. The study contributes to the literature on the digitalization of revenue mobilization, which has arguably seen very few studies conducted in Africa, especially in Ghana, hence calling for more future studies on the use of e-revenue systems in developing economies

Digitalization of revenue mobilization in an emerging economy: the new Institutional Theory perspective

This study sought to explore how the institutional environment comprising regulative, normative, and cognitive factors influences the use of technology in revenue mobilization in the public sector of an emerging economy. The study used the new institutional theory as a theoretical lens and a qualitative case study as a methodological stance. Data was collected from the agency in charge of revenue mobilization in the developing economy through interviews. The study established that regulative, normative and cognitive factors influence the digitalization of revenue mobilization. With regards to the regulative pillar, it was revealed that legislation for a revenue authority with a focus on digitalization, legislation for taxpayer identification and legislation for electronic transactions were laws that governed the use of the system and played essential roles in ensuring that the system was used effectively to fully realize its benefits. The cognitive pillar, on the other hand, revealed some challenges faced with the implementation and use of the digital system. The study contributes to the literature on the digitalization of revenue mobilization, which has arguably seen very few studies conducted in Africa, especially in Ghana, hence calling for more future studies on the use of e-revenue systems in developing economies

Internationalisation of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining in Ghana: Opportunities and Challenges

The last few years have witnessed internationalisation of small scale mining in Ghana. The entry of migrant artisanal miners has brought losers and winners in the subsector, creating myriad of socio-political problems. However, official attempts to curb it have exacerbated the systemic problem of mineral governance. This paper analyses the emerging challenges and opportunities posed by the entrance of migrant miners into the country with insights into assumptions on resources and conflicts. It takes a closer look at the causes, effects and dynamics of confrontation and collaboration between migrant artisanal and small scale miners and their counterparts in the host nation. It argues that the current governance system of small scale mining based on national control over exploitation is anachronic and not well adapted to competitive, sustainable and fair management of mineral resources. In addition, it proposes a sustainable partnership to harness complimentary skills in order to avoid deepening the resources conflicts which have plagued the mining districts.  Keywords: Internationalisation, Artisanal, Small Scale Mining, Sustainabilit

Health Impacts of Local and Chinese Small-Scale Gold Mining Operations on Ghanaian Communities

The influx of Chinese miners in Ghana’s small-scale gold mining sector has encouraged a large body of research examining the deleterious impacts of gold mining on the environment. However, there is sparse literature concentrating on the health impacts of gold mining. This research therefore examines the health impacts of local and Chinese small-scale gold mining operations on Ghanaian communities. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative data and utilizes the theory of environmental justice as the framework for analyzing and creating ways to explore the health impacts of local and Chinese small-scale gold mining operations. The study found that both large-scale and small-scale gold mining are highly associated with environmental pollution in mining communities. The Chinese introduction of high-tech machines to quicken the production of gold has exacerbated the rate of environmental pollution in mining communities. Also, both scales of gold mining, in addition to Chinese mining activities, have negatively impacted the health of mining communities. Inhabitants of mining communities bear the brunt of poor sanitation, pollution, diseases, injuries and deaths. The research illuminates the environmental and health impacts of gold mining engendered by both local and Chinese miners in Ghanaian communities

Assessing the Effects of People’s Misconception about Mental Retardation on Patients and Caregivers at Upper Denkyira West District of Ghana

Misconception about mental retardation seems to be widely endorsed by the general public. The aim of this research study was to assess assessing the effects of people’s misconception about mental retardation on patients and caregivers at Upper Denkyira West District of Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional study was used integrating both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study engaged purposive and Snowball sampling techniques to select the study population. The sample size for the study was 40 respondents consisting of heads of households in Diaso with a person who is mentally retarded within any age category and structured interview and observation were the research instrument. From the study findings, regarding respondents’ view in terms of what people think are the causes of their wards’ mental retardation, almost all the respondents consisting of 32 (80%) indicated spiritual cause, 6 (15%) respondents indicated medical cause whereas 2 (5%) respondents said physical cause. All the respondents 40 (100%) strongly agreed that they faced social stigma and discrimination and all the respondents 40 (100%) strongly agreed that they felt tired most of the time. Dealing with their expenditure on quarterly medical bills, 22(55%) respondents indicated that they spent GH 200-GH 400, 8 (20%) respondents said they spent GH 401-GH 601, 6 (15%) respondents said they spent above GH 601 whereas 4 (10%) respondents said they spent below GH 200. In terms of the mean expenditure on quarterly medical bill the mean is 2.40 with the standard deviation of .871. It therefore showed that caring for mentally retarded persons are time consuming. The study concluded that ignorance, cultural and religious beliefs of the people caused the misconception about mental retardation and this negatively affect the parents, caregivers and the victims themselves and recommended that Ministry of health and Ghana Health Service must implement health education on mental retardation to educate the general populace, mental nurses must be integrated to the various health centers, clinic and health post in order to provide health care services to persons and parents should be referred to clinical psychologist to manage stress of care giving in such parents/caregivers. Keywords: Mental health, misconception, mental retardation, health polic