The NTeQ ISD Model: A Tech-Driven Model for Digital Natives (DNs).

Integrating Technology for enquiry (NTeQ) instructional development model (ISD), is believed to be a technology-driven model.  The authors x-rayed the ten-step model to reaffirm the ICT knowledge demand of the learner and the educator; hence computer-based activities at various stages of the model are core elements.  The model also is conscious of the digital age we are, thus the learner has to be tech savvy, a netizen, and the educator on the other hand has to be a digital native equally to be able to explore the gains of the model.  It is only in this manner that the rich gains of the model can be tapped in an era that technology has revolutionized the teaching/learning process. Key words: Problem definition, discovery, computer use, authentic assessment

Quality Assurance Using ICT Best Practices in School-Based Assessment of Students’ Learning in Nigerian University Education

The paper emphasized strongly that ICTs best practices if adopted in School Based Assessment (S B A) would achieve quality assurance. Best practices are techniques that through experience and research have proven to reliably lead to a desired result. The study is a descriptive survey which sought to determine the potentials of ICTs best practices in SBA among others in Nigerina university education. The study was carried out in Federal and State universities in the South – South and South- East Zones of Nigeria. The sample size comprised of 140 lecturers drawn from the population of 345 respondents. Four research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The instrument for data collection was a 38- item questionnaire developed by the researchers. The instrument was validated and reliability was computed to be 0.82; 0.86; 0.81 and 0.88 for the four sections respectively. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and Z- test statistic in testing the null hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level. The findings among others indicated that ICTs best practices in SBA have the potentials to achieve quality education. Based on the findings, recommendations were made which were that lecturers should be developed in the use of ICTs facilities for SBA and adequate ICTs facilities should be provided to aid e-assessment.Key words: Quality Assurance, ICTs best practices, School – Based Assessment, Nigerian University educatio

The Economic Effects of Malaria Eradication: Evidence from an Intervention in Uganda

This study evaluates the economic consequences of a malaria eradication campaign in the southwestern Ugandan district of Kigezi. The project was a joint venture between the WHO and Uganda's Ministry of Health, designed to test for the first time the feasibility of malaria eradication in a sub-Saharan African country. During the years of 1959 and 1960, eradication efforts employing DDT spraying and mass distribution of anti-malarials were implemented, beginning in northern Kigezi. Follow-up studies reported a drop in overall parasite rates from 22.7 to 0.5% in hyperendemic areas and from 12.5 to 0% in mesoendemic areas. We use this campaign as a plausibly exogenous health shock to explore changes in human-capital formation and income. We employ a difference-in-difference methodology to show that eradication produced differential improvements in Kigezi compare to the rest of Uganda in years of schooling, literacy, and primary school completion. In addition, we find suggestive evidence that eradication increased income levels.human capital, malaria, economic development and health

Assessment of Environmental Radioactivity Level and its Health Implication in Imiringi Community Bayelsa State, Nigeria

A total forty two (42) sampled points were investigated for radioactivity level and health implication using standard method. The exposure dose rate  ranged from 14 to 32μRh-1 with an average value of μ23Rh-1. Dose rate and equivalent dose rate ranged from 121.8 to 278.4nGyh-1 and 1.18 to 2.69mSvy-1 respectively. The average value of the indoor annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), outdoor AEDE, and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were computed to be 0.936 mSvy-1, 0.311 mSvy-1 and 0.810 x 10-3 respectively. Analysis of dose to human organs; testes and ovaries, were 0.61 and 0.43 mSvy-1 respectively. Exposure rate, dose rate and ELCR exceeded the recommended values. All the outdoor AEDEs were within the permissible value of 1.0 mSvy-1 for general public and below the limit of 20 mSvy-1 for radiological workers as recommended by InternationalCommission on Radiation Protection (ICRP). Keywords: Assessment, Environmental radioactivity, Exposure dose, Health impac

Physicochemical Characteristics, Particle Size Distribution and Total Hydrocarbon Content in Soil from Abandoned Landfill Site in Igbogene, Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Most household and some industrial solid wastes end up in the landfill which is the commonest means of solid waste management in many parts of Baylesa state, Nigeria. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics, particle size distribution and total hydrocarbon content in soil samples from abandoned landfill site in Igbogene, Bayelsa state, Nigeria by collecting samples from varying distances (50m, 100m and 150m) at a depth of 0-20cm and analyzed using standard methods. Results were in the range of 5.01 – 5.34 (pH), 0.73 – 0.98 meg/100g (Exchangeable Acidity), 2.45 – 3.48 meg/100g (sodium), 0.19 – 0.31 meg/100g (potassium), 3.94 – 5.33 meg/100g (calcium), 1.52 – 2.15 meg/100g (magnesium), 9.57 – 11.49 mg/kg (nitrate), 4.18 – 5.19 mg/kg (sulphate), 6.99 – 8.85 mg/kg (available phosphorus), 8.23 – 12.60 mg/kg (total hydrocarbon content), 76.48 – 100.25 mg/kg (chloride), 5.14 – 7.59 mg/kg (ammonium), 8.83 – 8.95% (clay), 2.70 – 3.10% (silt), 87.93 – 88.35% (sand), 2.62 – 3.58% (organic carbon), 4.51 – 6.16% (organic matter) and 0.22 – 0.33% (total nitrogen). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant deviations (p>0.05) across the various distances for all parameters except for organic carbon and matter, total nitrogen, potassium and ammonium. In addition, most of the  nutrients showed positive significant relationship at p<0.05. This suggests that at large the activities of old landfill in the study area is not influencing the soil characteristics under study. Rather the apparent decline in value away from old landfill may be due to mobility level of minerals in the soil toward the southwest direction, which the cluster analysis clearly showed. Keywords: Physicochemical Properties, Environmental Contamination, Hydrocarbon Content, Landfil

Evaluation, Analysis and Modification of the Blaney-Morin - Nigeria (BMN) Evapotranspiration Model

The analytical approach of the Blaney-Morin-Nigeria (BMN) evapotranspiration model was applied to data sets obtained from seventeen locations in Nigeria and the values of the constants m and H in the BMN model, Equation 1 were not as consistently comparable as expected. Thereupon, the Standard Difference (SDF) method was applied to each of the seventeen locations (designated as model ETPP4), to each of the five regions formed by pooling data from meteorologically similar locations (ETPP3) and to the pooled data from all locations (ETPP1). The values of m and H thus obtained were consistently comparable and within the range considered acceptable for the country. While the models predict potential evapotranspiration (PET) more accurately than the Penman equation under the Nigerian conditions, their performances are similar to that of the BMN model. However, ETPP4 and ETPP3, produce better prediction in their corresponding locations and regions while ETPPI predicts PET slightly better than the 3MN model at those locations where the BMN model was not originally evaluated. Consequently, the SDF method is recommended as a procedural modification of the development of the BMN model and the most general form of the models, ETPPI (m = .29, H = 508) is recommended as a refinement of the BMN model

Achieving Standard in Secondary Education through the Eradication of Examination Malpractices: The Nigerian Experience

Examination malpractice had been and is still a serious canker-worm toNigerian education system. This hydra-headed monster has eaten deep intothe bone marrows of Nigerians even from primary school levels to tertiaryinstitutions. No wonder, the researchers sought to find out the opinions ofprincipals, teachers and students in Nigeria about examination malpractices.They also attempted to ascertain strategies for the eradication ofexamination malpractices to achieve standard in secondary school system.The study was a descriptive survey carried out in three political zones ofNigeria. The sample size comprised 37 principals, 560 secondary schoolteachers and 2254 senior secondary school students. 5 research questionsand 3 null hypotheses tested at p < 0.05 guided the study. The results of the finding were, among others, that with examination malpractices the nation cannot achieve standard in secondary education. Based on the findings, recommendations were made, among which was that certificates should be de-emphasized while on the job practical examinations should beemphasized

Educational Technology in Nigeria Universities: Statues Quo and Visions for the Future

The paper looked at various definitions of Educational Technology (ET) but defined the acceptable one. ET was seen as the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using and managing appropriate technological process and resources. The four key elements inherent in the meaning were highlighted. The objectives of ET at both Macro and Micro levels, the relevance and the uses of ET were also discussed. The paper also looked at the statuesque of teaching and learning and revealed that teacher – centred method of instruction was still in use. It was therefore advocated strongly that learner-centred method which emphasis the of modern technologies for instructional delivery by integrated into teaching to enable the beneficiaries function effectively in the new world economy. The implications of these trends showed the clear visions of the future of ET which were also discussed. The ideals of ET in the future were x-rayed and their implications discussed. This process of change will further imply that education will become a lifelong process, important and accessible to all, and Nigerian universities will become centres of learning in not just for students, but for all members of the community. The paper concludes that we see a future that is enabling by educational technologies in Nigerian universities. The suggestion was therefore made that in order to achieve the visions of ET, the university learning environment has to be reviewed and improved. Otherwise, the status quo remains

Extent and Justifications for Strike Proneness in The Nigeria Public Sector Industries

Strike has become one of the most effective tools used by workers to drive home their demands and the intensity of this varies from one sector to another. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate strike proneness and why public sector industries are more strike prone in Nigeria. The study takes an exploratory approach by reviewing extant literatures as a focal point of analysis to determine the extent of strike intensity among industries in the public sectors with a view towards drawing up relevant justifications. The findings of the study shows that in comparison with other sectors, education as sub sector of public sector are more strike prone&nbsp; and the reason generally for public sector strike proneness is because &nbsp;government is the highest employer of labour as well as the umpire ensuing the behaviour of an employer&nbsp; and at&nbsp; the same time involve in the regulatory framework that guides the employment relations between the employer and employees in the private and public sector which often leads to unilateral decisions in the face of collective bargaining ; unfair treatment of employees and anti-union activities appears to be factors responsible for more industrial strike in the public sector among others. Therefore, the study recommend that government should practice unbiased democracy that is just, fair and deal equitably with the respective organized union so as to prevent conflict and not control conflict because of the after math consequences