Technology-Enhanced Teaching: A Technology Acceptance Model to Study Teachers’ Intentions to Use Digital Games in the Classroom

This research to practice paper uses a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to explore the factors that affect teachers’ intentions to use digital educational games in the classroom. Research shows that using computers and other digital technologies like digital games is one way to influence young people’s career aspirations and improve their digital literacy. This is particularly important as the world of work is changing and emerging jobs becoming more intensive in their use of digital technologies. In the developing world and in particular Nigeria, there have been calls to improve the digital literacy skills of young people to help them make informed career choices, and fully participate effectively and equally in the digital world. However, many of the computing and digital technology education initiatives have not produced the positive results intended. The lack of awareness, readiness and buy-in of the relevant stakeholders are some of the factors that has been identified as a barrier here. For example, for computing and digital technology-based projects in schools, the success largely depends on the support and attitude of teachers. As one of the major stakeholders in the classroom, teachers need to be consulted in decisions that affect the way they deliver their lessons; especially when novel ideas and approaches that challenge tradition are introduced. It is therefore important to consider their acceptance or otherwise of digital games in the classroom. A Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was modified to include constructs previously identified by teachers that potentially influence their intention to use digital games in the classroom. The extended TAM was developed into a questionnaire and tested with 220 teachers in Nigeria. Analyses of the results show that syllabus connectedness, perceived usefulness and self-efficacy are significant predictors of the intention of teachers to adoptdigital game-based learning in the classroom. Furthermore, the teachers' demographics including experience of teaching, age and gender all mediated the intention of the teachers to use digital game-based learning. The results and findings present recommendations for school leaders and developers of digital educational games. The practical insights from this are also important here and helpful for guiding the deployment of such games particularly in areas where such technological interventions have not been used before

Influence of Physical Characteristics on the Performance of Office Properties in Lagos, Nigeria

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of property physical characteristics on the performance of office properties in Lagos, Nigeria. By recognizing which physical features made significant contribution, market participants will know how physical features influence the performance of office property market. The trend in returns of office property investments is examined by using multiple regressions to establish a relationship between total return and underlying physical characteristics. The impact of age, building size, average floor space, building services, state of repairs, fixtures and fittings and design quality were explicitly considered. The results indicate that age of the property and building services made significant contribution to office property performance. The influence of other physical characteristics such as average floor space, building size, state of repairs, design quality and fixtures and fittings is not statistically significant. Overall, the age of the property could be regarded as giving the highest contribution to the performance of office property market. The study offers evidence of assessment of office properties performance and provides useful information for developers, investors and practitioners in the real estate market. Keywords: Office property, Physical characteristics, Performance, Property investment, Nigeri

Knowledge and Practice of Environmental Management at Selected Ecotourism Destinations in Edo State

The purposeful activity goaled to maintain and improve the state of an environmental resource affected by human activities is environmental management (EM). EM in ecotourism destinations is essential not only for the conservation of the environmental resources therein but also to maintain a long term environmental quality that aids sustained ecotourists interests/satisfaction; surrounding local communities involvement as well as the environmental image of the destination. This research assessed the view of employees and visitors about EM of Okomu National Park (OKNP) and Ogba Zoo and Nature Park (OZNP) in Edo State; identified the waste disposal and treatment methods as well as the EM standards/tools employed. The primary survey instrument was questionnaire {two hundred and thirty six (236): fifty (50) and one hundred and thirty eight (138) for visitors and forty two (42) and six (6) for employees in OKNP and OZNP respectively}. Questionnaires to the visitors were distributed using the simple random sampling technique while employees were purposively selected. Data analysis includes the use of descriptive (frequency and percentage tables; bar charts) and Chi Square analyses. Most of the respondents have heard about EM at one time or the other – the dominant medium of awareness being radio/television. Majority asserted that every employee (95.2% and 100%) and visitor (96% and 81.9%) should be aware of EM in OKNP and OZNP respectively. Waste generated onsite is disposed by landfill/land treatment (48.5% and 33.3%), incineration/burning (30.3% and 50%), chemical treatment (9.1% and 16.7%) and biological method (6.1% and 0%) in OKNP and OZNP respectively. Waste is not recycled neither is the hazardousness determined at both sites. OKNP employed EM standard/tools as reported by employees include environmental monitoring (54.8%), public environmental report (40.5%), Environmental Management System (35.7%); written environmental policy (31%), eco-labelling (26.2%) while OZNP has not fully delved into the use of any defined standard/tool. The concept of EM is not strange to the respondents as they understand what it means, recognise its need in the sites and admit that it is imperative for all staff and visitors likewise to be conversant with it. It is recommended that an extensive waste management plan should be put in place which focuses on reduce, reuse, recover and recycle. Also, the Zoo should employ the use of EM standards/tools which can aid in identifying, quantifying and evaluating defined impacts of actions taken at the site. Keywords: Environmental Management, Ecotourism, Waste Management Pla

Child Work, Child Schooling And Educational Achievement: An Empirical Evidence For Nigeria

As a result of the growing international concern about child labour, child work and the effects on the welfare and future of these children, the practices are now being questioned in Nigeria. The recent perception of child labour and child work as a problem stems from the belief, and finding on investigations that involvement of children in economic activities outside the home is injurious to the children’s intellectual and physical growth. According to Oloko (1996) working is believed to expose children to physical danger, sexual abuse and other forms of harassment. It is also believed that work prevents children from doing well in school with the resultant risk of condemning them to low wage income in the future (Falayajo, Makoju, Okebukola, Onuga & Olubodun, 1997 and Ray, 2000). An International Labour Organisation (ILO) study quoted by Beguile and Boyden (1988) even went further to suggest that child labour may contribute to adult unemployment. This may be so since children could become substitute workers at cheaper wage rates

Effect of Audit Quality on Financial Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria: Corporate Governance Perspectives

This study examined the effects of audit quality on the financial performance of 10 out of 16 Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) listed on Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) for which data were available covering a period of 10 years (2010-2019). While the specific objectives are to ascertain the effect of Audit Fee (AUF), Audit Report Lag (ARL) and Audit Committee Diligence (ACM) on the financial performance of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria, it applied Return on Assets (ROA) as a measure of financial performance. The study adopted ex post facto research design, data for the study were collected from annual reports and accounts of listed DMBs. The study employed multiple regression analysis using SPSS to test the formulated hypotheses. The result showed Audit Fees (AF) and Audit Reported Lag (ARL) significantly affect financial performance of DMBs in Nigeria while Audit Committee Diligence (ACM) has insignificant effect on the financial performance of DMBs in Nigeria. The study recommends that: DMBs should strive to enhance the efficiency of their financial reporting processes to reduce the need for extensive audit procedures. Implementing robust internal control systems, automating processes, and adopting advanced accounting software can streamline financial reporting and potentially lower audit fee; DMBs should strive to streamline their internal processes and improve the efficiency of the financial reporting and auditing processes. This includes ensuring timely preparation of financial statements, prompt resolution of accounting issues, and effective communication with auditors. By reducing unnecessary delays in the audit process, companies can minimize audit report lag; DMBs should promote a culture of continuous improvement and learning within audit committees. This can be achieved through ongoing professional development programs, access to relevant resources and training, and opportunities for committee members to stay updated on emerging trends and regulatory changes. By continuously enhancing their knowledge and skills, audit committees can contribute more effectively to financial performance

Board Gender Diversity and Financial Performance of Listed Deposit Money Banks

In developing countries such as Nigeria, the role of women is minimized at the economic and social strata; thus limiting their contribution in the society. The main aim of this study is therefore to examine the effect of board gender diversity on financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study sampled 12 listed deposit money banks and obtained data spanning from 2012 to 2022. The result of the regression analysis document that the proportion of female directors to total directors on the board has no significant negative effect on financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria while the presence of critical mass of female directors (at least three female directors) has a positive and significant effect on financial performance of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. The study recommends for the inclusion and participation of more women on the corporate board of banks in order to ensure that their impact are more felt on their financial performance

Occurrence of hydrocarbon-degrading nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the rhizosphere of Paspalum vaginatum Sw.

Several nitrogen-fixing and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of the turf grass Paspalum vaginatum Sw. using four different hydrocarbons; crude oil, decane, diesel and engine oil as substrates. The isolates showed between 98%-99% 16S rRNA gene similarity with species of Alcaligenes, Brevundimonas and Klebsiella. Only Alcaligenes faecalis C1B, Klebsiella varicola C3B and Klebsiella varicola C3BB had the nifH gene; and the genes responsible for nitrogen-fixing abilities of all the isolates were not plasmid borne. Three of the isolates, Brevundimonas diminuta C4B, Alcaligenes faecalis B5 and Alcaligenes faecalis D4A with the ability to grow well in crude oil as carbon and energy source were selected for further studies. Alcaligenes faecalis B5 had the highest growth rate constant of 0.038 µ-1 with a mean generation time of 18.46 h. Analysis of culture extracts by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector showed that Alcaligenes faecalis B5 degraded 90.5% of crude oil in 24 days, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B biodegraded 84.6% and 82.1% of the oil respectively. Confirmation of nitrogen fixing ability was determined by the acetylene reduction assay (ARA). Alcaligenes faecalis B5 produced the highest amount of ethylene (15.18 nmol) after 24 h of incubation, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B produced 12.10 nmol and 9.60 nmol of ethylene respectively. Nitrogen-fixing hydrocarbon utilizers are therefore potential seeds in the bioaugmentation of nitrogen-limited hydrocarbon-polluted environments

Occurrence of hydrocarbon-degrading nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the rhizosphere of Paspalum vaginatum Sw.

Several nitrogen-fixing and hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of the turf grass Paspalum vaginatum Sw. using four different hydrocarbons; crude oil, decane, diesel and engine oil as substrates. The isolates showed between 98%-99% 16S rRNA gene similarity with species of Alcaligenes, Brevundimonas and Klebsiella. Only Alcaligenes faecalis C1B, Klebsiella varicola C3B and Klebsiella varicola C3BB had the nifH gene; and the genes responsible for nitrogen-fixing abilities of all the isolates were not plasmid borne. Three of the isolates, Brevundimonas diminuta C4B, Alcaligenes faecalis B5 and Alcaligenes faecalis D4A with the ability to grow well in crude oil as carbon and energy source were selected for further studies. Alcaligenes faecalis B5 had the highest growth rate constant of 0.038 µ-1 with a mean generation time of 18.46 h. Analysis of culture extracts by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector showed that Alcaligenes faecalis B5 degraded 90.5% of crude oil in 24 days, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B biodegraded 84.6% and 82.1% of the oil respectively. Confirmation of nitrogen fixing ability was determined by the acetylene reduction assay (ARA). Alcaligenes faecalis B5 produced the highest amount of ethylene (15.18 nmol) after 24 h of incubation, while Alcaligenes faecalis D4A and Brevundimonas diminuta C4B produced 12.10 nmol and 9.60 nmol of ethylene respectively. Nitrogen-fixing hydrocarbon utilizers are therefore potential seeds in the bioaugmentation of nitrogen-limited hydrocarbon-polluted environments

Metal analyses of ash derived alkalis from banana and plantain peels (Musa spp.) in soap making

The objective of this work was to determine the metal content of plantain and banana peels ash derived alkali and the possibility of using it as alternate and cheap source of alkali in soap industry. This was done by ashing the peels and dissolving it in de-ionised water to achieve the corresponding hydroxides with pH above 12. The solution was then analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The analytical measurements were carried out in triplicate and the multi elemental solution was used for calibration of equipment. The abundance of essential metals was in these orders in both the banana and plantain alkalis: K > Fe > Ca > Mg > Mn > Zn > Na and Fe > K > Ca > Mg > Zn > Mn > Na, respectively. The presence of other metals besides K and Na at higher concentrations limits the foamability of the soaps but could be adapted as thickeners and emulsifiers in greases. The concentrations of elements with health risk in the ash derived alkalis are within the allowable range of the Commission of European Communities (2008) limit.Key words: Banana, plantain, ash derived alkali, major elements, minor elements