The Barriers Students Of Color Experience During The Online College Application

Recruitment of Students of Color (African American and Latino) is a growing obligation of colleges and universities around the United States (Bauman et al., 2019). Personally, the culmination of my passion for diversity recruitment and my experiences with information technology has led me to study why Students of Color encounter barriers during their online college application process. A vicious cycle of seeing Students of Color students not being able to access key resources during their college application process has frequently left me heartbroken. There are an abundance of excuses and I want to be a part of the solution

The relationship between policy-making processes and e-learning policy discourses in higher education institutions in South Africa

This study offered an explanatory critique of the implications of policy-making processes on policy discourses. Its objective was to understand how policy-making processes affect institutional e-learning policy outcomes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Africa. The study analysed the conceptualisation and design of institutional e-learning policies in three universities.The case-by-case analysis for this study used a qualitative post-structuralist research methodology associated with case study research. This method provided deep insights and intimate knowledge of the individual cases which formed an important basis for cross-comparisons to be made within and across cases, to draw a relationship between policy-making processes and e-learning policy discourses. Interviews were held with stakeholders who formulated e-learning policies at the three universities. The aim of interviews was to understand how the policies were formulated; to explore the factors impacting policy formulation; the composition of actors; and how policy issues were framed. The methodological and analytical lens of the study was based on the Stakeholder theory and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The Stakeholder theory was used to analyse the policy-making processes, whilst CDA was used to analyse the policies. The analysis focused on the assumptions inherent in the views of policymakers on the nature and role of technology in education. Considering power relations that are implicit in policy-making processes, the study examined the competing discourses found in the policy texts and the different frames used by policy actors in framing the policy problem. The aim was to understand the socio-cultural, political and pedagogical implications of these discourses on teaching and learning with technologies in HEIs. This was achieved by comparing the views of policymakers with the discourses found in e-learning policy texts. The study revealed that institutional policies are the products of complex inter-temporal exchanges among stakeholders who participate in the policy-making process. The features of the resultant policies depend on the interaction, interests and power of agents who are involved in the policy-making process. The interaction of agents is also hampered or facilitated by institutional structures, procedures and processes in place, including the institutional culture. Therefore, the ability of the stakeholders involved in the policy-making process to achieve cooperative outcomes plays a central role. An institution that facilitates interaction among policy-making agents is likely to generate policies that are adaptable to the environment, and that are less subject to changes. Contrary to this, an institution that does not encourage cooperation will produce a policy which results in few changes in practice. Whether the policy-making process facilitates or hinders cooperation will depend on some key features of this process, such as the number of actors involved, the level of involvement in the process, how they engage in dialogue and their ideological beliefs on the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in this context

Residues of organochlorine pesticides in human milk

A research paper on residue of pesticides in human milk.Levels of residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons p,p-DDT, p,p-DDE, p,p-TDE, x-, B-, y-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the milk of 40 Zimbabwean mothers living in the Greater Harare area were analysed. Of all the milk samples analysed, relatively low residue levels of x-, B-, and v-HCH, peptochloroperoxide and dieldrin were detected in 58, 100, 63, 13 (not statistically significant) and 65 per cent respectively. Traces of the PCB congener 2,2,4,5,5 -penta- chlobipheny (PCB 101) were found in 15 samples. One sample contained traces of 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 118). From this study, small though the sample was, it seems social status, educational background and living conditions are important demographic variables influencing the frequency distribution of residue levels of sum DDT in the mother’s milk

Tracing the Pattern of Maize Introduction and Spread in Africa using Chloroplast DNA Markers

A genetic assessment of maize landraces from 14 African countries was conducted in order to determine relationships among the landraces so as to infer the pattern of spread after introduction. Seeds were planted and DNA was extracted from ten randomly selected seedlings per accession. Eight published chloroplast SSR primers were used in PCR and purified products were directly sequenced. Allele size data from the chloroplast microsatellites were organized in MS Excel spreadsheets and sorted into haplotypes. Mantel‟s test and Principal Component Analysis were used in determination of haplotype diversity and biogeography of alleles. Results indicated that there was considerable variation in the geographic range of alleles. However, Mantel tests performed to examine the correlation between genetic and geographical distances likewise showed no association between genetic and geographic distances (r = -0.0138, p = 0.5600, 1000 permutations). Furthermore, principal component analysis provided little evidence for population differentiation based on geographical region; projection of the populations over the first two planes revealed two outlier accessions whilst the rest appear to be sub-accessions associated with South Africa. Hence, results from this study support a hypothesis of successive introductions of landraces in Africa with South Africa as one of the likely entry points. Key Words: Maize Landraces, SSR Markers, Haplotype, Genetic Diversity, Africa

For Engineering to Champion Future Industrial Revolutions, It Must Look to the Past

This article discusses Engineering and the Engineer in an informal way intended to attract the attention of engineering educators, industry professionals and students. By tracing the definition term “Engineer” to ancient Greek which translates to genius, it is hoped that those of us who are engineers or those that intend to become engineers will be made aware of the respect and reverence which National Leaders have had bestowed upon them, through all industrial resolutions. Indeed, Some National Leaders have been Engineers and Scientists themselves. The article gives some early examples of geniuses of ancient Egypt and latterly those in Europe, Asia and the United States. The article discloses that what we call STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) was in fact not new and gives examples of Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin of the United States. With these examples, it is hoped that Engineers will embrace roles in public life and national governance. The article goes into particular depth the importance of a broadened curriculum, bemoaning the present trend of overspecialization. Here the article gives an example of the curriculum he himself followed in the 1970’s. In what can be called an autobiographical sketch, the article describes his own experience as a Trainee / Graduate Engineer with the National Railways of Zimbabwe, which had a solid training reputation, especially during the 1980’s. In this sketch, the importance of humility, order, and adherence to professionalisms are recommended as part of the repertoire to a future successful Engineer

The role of the United Nations in preventing violent conflicts : lessons from Rwanda and Sudan

The occurrence of internal armed conflict in Africa has increased over the last two decades. As such, Africa continues to be viewed by many as a troubled continent. In an attempt to avoid further conflict in Africa, organisations such as the United Nations have implemented comprehensive tools and strategies to prevent further conflicts from occurring. However, the genocide in Rwanda and the on-going unrest in Sudan have shown that there is still a lot of work to be done. In both these cases, the conflicts took place or escalated even with UN presence on ground. This paper will thus examine the UN's legal role in the prevention of internal armed conflict and establish the type of lessons that could be learnt from Rwanda and Sudan.Public, Constitutional, and InternationalLL. M

Use of differentiated instruction by teachers of mathematics in meeting the diverse needs of pupils in selected secondary schools in Choma district.

Thesis of Master of Education in Mathematics EducationThe purpose of this study was to investigate the use of differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of pupils by teachers of mathematics in four selected secondary schools in Choma District. The sample comprised 178 respondents from four selected secondary schools of which 18 were teachers of mathematics and 160 Grade eleven pupils. Forty pupils from each school participated in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select schools and pupils while purposive sampling was used to select the 18 teachers of mathematics. The study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. The research instruments that were used in the study include questionnaires and an observation checklist which were designed by the researcher. There was a questionnaire for pupils and a questionnaire for teachers of mathematics to complete. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 16.0) was used to analyse quantitative data from questionnaires using descriptive statistics basically in form frequency tables and histograms. Qualitative data obtained from open-ended questions and an observation checklist was analysed by coding and grouping the emerging themes. The findings of the study revealed that most teachers of mathematics rarely attended to the diverse needs of pupils in the classroom. From pupils’ responses and classroom observations, teachers never grouped pupils either according to their interests or abilities. Teachers of mathematics mainly taught their pupils as a unit not as individuals. Teachers rarely considered the benefit of assessment for learning and focused mainly on end of term and promotional examinations. However, in few cases where teachers of mathematics attempted to differentiate instruction, the study revealed group work, recap strategy, question and answer sessions, homework and remedial work, pupil demonstration and appropriate high level questions to fast learners as some of teaching strategies used by teachers. The study further revealed that in few cases where teaching used the differentiated instruction methods, the major challenges were over-enrolment, insufficient time, abnormal workload, managing the gap between slow and fast learners, pressure from stakeholders to cover the syllabus, insufficient teaching and learning materials, pupils’ poor mathematical background and pupils’ negative attitude towards mathematics. The study recommended that schools through the office of the head teacher should procure sufficient and appropriate teaching and learning materials. It also recommended that Ministry of General Education and Head teachers should focus more on assessment for learning. School administrators and management must control the enrolments to mitigate the challenge of over enrolments. Finally the government must deploy and recruit more teachers of mathematics in secondary schools to reduce the teaching loads for serving teachers

The adoption of energy efficiency and a policy framework for Zimbabwe

Recent policy discussions on energy use in Zimbabwe sparked interest in the economic case for energy efficiency, suggesting the need to investigate the relevant costs and benefits. This paper investigated the potential of energy efficiency in manufacturing industries in Zimbabwe. Data collection was done using questionnaires, walk-through audits and semi-structured interviews. The data set was then analysed using regression analysis. The results show that there would be significant potential energy saving in Zimbabwe through adopting various energy efficiency programmes. The main energy efficiency barriers identified were: poorly structured electricity tariffs; risk of production disruption; resistance of operational staff to a changed working style; lack of coordination between company divisions; lack of information on energy efficiency programmes; and lack of support from senior management on issues that relate to energy efficiency. A straightforward energy efficiency policy framework is proposed, and three main players identified, namely government, energy regulator, and research institutions

Program-assisted sizing of a photovoltaic-powered water pumping system

Climate change has had perhaps the most adverse effect on African rural communities where we witness persistent droughts and erratic rain patterns. Peasants often have to walk many kilometres to fetch water of a suspect quality. In these circumstances underground water supplies provide the best hope for them. Often, however, water tables may have receded to such an extent that wells are not a practical proposition. Besides, water is needed not just for domestic use such as food preparation and cleaning, but also for livestock and watering of small gardens. In this paper we present methodology for sizing and designing a photovoltaic pumping system based on components available in Southern Africa. We also show that solar pumping technology has gone past the experimental and prototype stage. Further we strongly put forward the proposition that the technology has clearly matured and in terms of cost, is fast approaching that of choice over other technologies relying on the grid. Currently the region faces an energy shortage and we see not only electricity cuts but those customers that actually are supplied with electricity face increasing and unacceptable tariffs. To make it more convenient we have consolidated the design process in a Visual Basic tool which is easy to use and apply