New media and self-directed learning : enhancing pedagogical transformation in an open distance learning landscape

Modern technological innovations are constantly seen throughout every aspect of life, and higher education is no exception. To this end, this article sheds some light on the types of and pedagogical value of new media adopted by academics to promote self-directed learning at the University of South Africa. The study answers the following questions: Which new media approaches have been adopted by academics to enhance self-directed learning? What is the pedagogical value of new media in an ODL environment? A qualitative approach was employed and data was collected through face-to-face interviews with 30 purposively selected Unisa academics. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model was found relevant to this study. Thematic categorisation was employed for data analysis. The findings depict that a variety of new media have been adopted to promote self-directed learning at Unisa. The study also found that new media are playing a pivotal role in promoting self-directed learning in an ODL landscape. It is therefore important to note that new media have emerged as strong catalysts in fostering pedagogical transformation.College of EducationM. Ed (Open and Distance Learning

The Use of Prior Knowledge in Learning from Examples

This dissertation examines the way people acquire procedures from examples, and provides a computational model of the results. In four experiments, people learned an analog of algebra. For each experiment, the initial know ledge that people had of the task was varied. In two experiments (Experiments 1 and 3), the syntactic know ledge that people had concerning the task w as manipulated. The knowledge of syntax that participants had, particularly the ability to correctly parse the character string, was found to be a major determiner in the way participants acquired the rules. Experiment 2 explicitly manipulated participant\u27s awareness as to how the task was related to their prior knowledge of algebra, with the finding that another major determiner of how the participants learned the task resting on how much of the task they can map to algebra. All three of these experiments examined the rule generalization behavior of the participants, with a fourth experiment specifically designed to examine this issue. The less syntactic and other declarative knowledge that participants had, the less general their rules. These findings, that people can learn from examples but that this learning is tempered by their additional declarative knowledge, are captured by an ACT-R model (Anderson, 1993)

Assessment of background radiation levels in selected diagnostic radiology department across Ondo State, Nigeria

The indoor and outdoor ionizing radiation exposure levels were measured in some randomly selected radiological laboratories of some hospitals across Ondo State, Nigeria using a Kindenoo PG - 15 Geiger Muller detector. Measurements were taken in each of the radiological laboratories of the hospitals in two phases: first, when the x-ray machines were energized and second, when the x-ray machines were not energized. The mean indoor and outdoor annual effective doses varied from 20.53±1.07 to 39.12±0.09 and 0.63±0.32 to 1.17±0.45 mSv/y respectively for the first phase in the radiological laboratories and from 1.68±0.04 to 2.26±0.07 and 0.28±0.02 to 0.42±0.02 mSv/y respectively for the second phase. Using statistical tools, a post-hoc test was carried out to test for the statistical significant difference between the indoor and outdoor annual effective dose in the study area. The test showed a significant difference between the indoor and outdoor annual effective dose at the radiological laboratories when the x-ray machine was energized and when the x-ray machine was not energized.Keywords: Indoor radiation exposure, Outdoor radiation exposure, X-ray, Annual effective dos

How content affects the categorization and problem solving of algebra word problems

Thesis (B.S.) in Psychology--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-41)Microfiche of typescript. [Urbana, Ill.]: Photographic Services, University of Illinois, U of I Library, [1992]. 2 microfiches (57 frames): negative.s 1992 ilu n

Head Teachers Supervision Practices and Job Performance of Teachers in Government Aided Secondary Schools in Western Uganda

The study investigated the relationship between head teachers’ supervision practices and job performance of teachers in government aided secondary schools in Western Uganda. Head teachers supervision practices were studied in terms of supervision behavior, support and communication. Job performance of teachers was considered in terms of classroom teaching, management of students, discipline as well as regularity and interpersonal relations. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using the quantitative approach on a sample of 333 teachers. Data were collected using both the questionnaire. Data were analysed using quantitative. Inferential analysis showed that while supervision behaviors and support had a positive and significant influence on job performance of teachers, supervision communication did not. It was concluded that supervision behaviors and support are important for the job performance of teachers. Therefore, it is recommends that head teachers should provide effective supervision to teachers because such a practice has a significant positive influence on teachers’ job performance

Technology Acceptance and Usage: A Catalyst for Better Performance of the 21st Century SMEs in Nigeria

In recent times the use of technology in businesses has become very vital, especially in SMEs that are the mainstream of enterprises operating in the world. The adoption and use of Technology can be of benefit in terms of competence, usefulness, advancement, growth and competitive advantages. Various scholars and managers have examined the contribution of technology to business growth, and a positive influence has been acknowledged. However, the effective implementation and use of technology by small businesses has been below expectations, it thus becomes questionable the depth of understanding SMEs in Nigeria have of the role of technology in their performance. This study, thus seeks to determine the details affecting the acceptance and use of Technology by SMEs in Nigeria. This was done using an in depth review of literature to determine the elements that stimulate the acceptance and use of technology and its impact on organizations. From the literature reviewed, it was discovered that SME owners have intentionally failed to embrace technology and programs that can easily improve the fortunes of their enterprises. This study highlighted that for better performance of SMEs, it is important to support organizational and useful procedures with technology tools; and adequate circumstances that favor the best technology implementation. It was concluded that in the recent world of business, there is a relationship between a firm’s capacity to use technology efficiently and its ability to implement business procedures and to attain business goal

Problems hampering the collapse of distance in ODL

This article examines e-learning as a transformational educational tool in collapsing the transactional distance among communication science students at Unisa. The problem that was investigated pertains to students' inadequate engagement in the e-learning arena. The study targeted executive members of the Communication Science Association (COMSA), and Unisa Radio employees. The COMSA executives which consist of ten Communications Science students, and employees at Unisa Radio comprise 200 Communication Science Students. A survey research design was used, whereby questionnaires were administered to all COMSA executives and 50 per cent of Unisa Radio student employees, chosen using simple random sampling. The data gathered were analysed through thematic categorisation and tabulation and the findings were presented descriptively. An examination of the data indicates that students do not engage actively in e-learning. They use myUnisa for basic educational needs, but not for the purpose for which it is intended, namely to bridge the transactional distance in order to ensure increased engagement among all stakeholders. In light of the above, we recommend that an in-depth study be conducted to ascertain core issues in respect of why students do not engage actively in what is meant to promote a deep learning experience

Effects of Administration of Bouillon Cubes on Insulin Resistance, Lipid Profile and Renal Function Parameters in Female Albino Rats

Aim: To evaluate the effects of administration of bouillon cubes on insulin resistance, lipid profile and renal function parameters in female albino rats. Methodology: A total of thirty-five (35) female albino rats, weighing between 120 and 150 grams, were used for the study. The bouillon cubes, Star Maggi and Knorr were administered daily to the rats, using an oral gavage tube for 90days. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was determined using the Glucose oxidase method. Fasting plasma insulin (FPI) and Cystatin C levels were quantitatively determined by a rat-specific sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. The electrolytes, sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) and were determined using ion selective electrode method. Urea was determined using Urease-bertholet method. Creatinine was determined using the Jaffe-Slot method. Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG) and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by enzymatic methods. Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated from the Friedewald’s equation. Kidney sections were stained using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique. Quantitative analysis of monosodium glutamate (MSG) content of the bouillon cubes was analyzed using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy while the sodium content was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry according to the method of the American Public Health Association. Results: There were no significant differences (P>.05) in FPG, FPI and HOMA-IR in all the treatment groups. The mean cystatin C value in group E (High Dose Knorr) was significantly higher (P <.05) than the negative control and all other treatment groups. The results also show the mean sodium values in groups D (High Dose Maggi) and E (High Dose Knorr) were significantly lower (P <.05) when compared to the negative control. There were no significant differences (P >.05) in TC and HDL-C levels in the negative control, compared to the treatment groups. There were no significant differences (P >.05) in TG levels, except for group B (Low Dose Maggi) which significantly lower (P <.05) than the negative control. Also, there were no significant differences (P >.05) in LDL-C levels, except for group B (Low Dose Maggi) which significantly higher (P <.05) than the negative control. Histologic analysis of the kidneys of the treated groups showed histological changes in the architecture of the tissues indicating tissue distortion, acute tissue damage, glomerular nephritis and distorted capillaries and degeneration compared to the negative control group which showed no tissue distortion. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to bouillon cubes did not impact fasting plasma glucose, insulin and insulin resistance in the treated rats. Chronic administration of Knorr cubes impacted the integrity of the kidney as levels of cystatin C and sodium were altered in the albino rats. Histoarchitecture of the kidneys of the treated rats showed histological changes indicating tissue distortion, acute tissue damage, glomerular nephritis and distorted capillaries. Lipid profile/metabolism was relatively not affected by the administration of bouillon cubes