A Phenomenological Study on Reflective Teaching Practice

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of teachers who engage in reflective teaching practice. This study was conducted at two elementary urban charter schools in New York City (NYC). A phenomenological research design was used to investigate the perspectives of twenty-one elementary school teachers who use reflective practice to enhance teaching effectiveness and promote students’ learning. Purposeful sampling was used in the selection of the participants. Recommended participants were identified as reflective practitioners by their principal. Data was gathered using semistructured interviews, which were conducted in the fall of 2016. The data collection and analysis followed Moustakas (1994) outlined procedures. After each interview was transcribed significant statements were extracted, the analyzed statements generated six key themes and eighteen sub-themes. Data analysis and results revealed that teachers use reflective teaching practice to create meaning from their classroom experiences and enact necessary steps toward improvement. Through reflective teaching practice, participants were able to examine their teaching, assess students’ learning, seek new ideas, and test theories to gain new perspectives on their classroom experiences. This research study is insightful because it adds to the body of knowledge about ways in which reflective practice supports teaching effectiveness and promotes students’ learning

School Environmental Factors and Mathematics Teaching Effectiveness: Implication for E-Learning

Mathematics occupies a central position in the school curriculum. It is a core subject from the primary through the junior secondary to the senior secondary school levels of the educational system. This important position occupied by the subject in the school curricula is borne out of the role of mathematics in scientific and technological development, a sine-qua-non in national building. However, the teaching of this important subject is beset with problems of societal values for it, there is the problem of inadequate and substandard learning materials and general attitudes among others. Therefore, the study investigated the pre-professional mathematics teachers’ beliefs about factors that could contribute to the mathematics teaching effectiveness in secondary schools. A non-experimental study was carried out on the pre-service postgraduate students in Lagos State. Self constructed questionnaires were administered on sampled 115 postgraduate students. The sample consisted of male = 42.6%, female = 57.4%. Two instruments were used for data collection; mathematics teachers effectiveness scale (a= 0.782) and the likelihood for the occurrence of effectiveness factors happening in schools scale (a = 0.806). The collection of data lasted three weeks. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test and analysis of variance. The pre-professional mathematics teachers were identified with factors contributing to their teaching effectiveness, there was significant difference in their perception of effectiveness. The respondents were not wholeheartedly disposed to effectiveness factors occurring in their place of work but were of the opinions that some might happen in their schools on the long run. There was a significant composite effect of predictor variables to pre-service teachers’ views of mathematics teachers’ effectiveness and the likelihood for the factors occurring in their schools. There was a significant composite effect of predictor variables to pre-service teachers report (F (3, 112) = 3.245, P\u3c0.05). Therefore, there is the need to increase the level of awareness of society on the relevance and importance of mathematics. The teachers should put up the reasons for making the mathematics recognised in the society and across the globe in order to increase the students’ achievement in the subject

Certain Orthogonal Polynomials for Solving Boundary Value Problems Using the Variational Iteration Method

This paper illustrates the use of certain orthogonal polynomials (Chebyshev polynomials) as trial functions in a variational iterative approach for solving 6th order boundary value problems (BVPs). The proposed method is validated through some numerical examples without any form of discretization or perturbation. The resulting numerical evidences show that the method is effective and accurate. All calculations are analyzed using maple18 software

Modified Variational Iteration Method with Chebyshev Polynomials for Solving 12th order Boundary Value problems

We consider in this paper an illustration of the modified variational iteration method (MVIM) as an effective and accurate solver of 12th order boundary value problem (BVP). For this reason, the Chebyshev polynomials of the principal kind was utilized as a premise capabilities in the guess of the logical capability of the given issue. The strategy is applied in an immediate manner without utilizing linearization or irritation. The subsequent mathematical confirmations recommend that the strategy is without a doubt successful and exact as applied to a few direct and nonlinear issues as mathematical trial and error. Maple 18 was used for all computational simulations carried out in this research.©2022 JNSMR UIN Walisongo. All rights reserved

Maternal factors in the aetiology of small-for-gestational age among term Nigerian babies

Background: Babies are classified according to the relationship between birth weight and gestational age, the latter being the strongest determinant of birth weight. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) babies have birth weights less than the 10th percentile for age and sex or more than two standard deviations below the mean for age and sex.Objective: The study was carried out to investigate the maternal factorsassociated with the delivery of term small-for-gestational age babiesin a Nigerian Hospital.Methods: In the cross-sectional survey, the anthropometric parametersof term singleton infants were related to maternal age, parity, socio-economic class, anthropometry and medical disorders in pregnancy.Results: A total of 825 babies were surveyed within the first 24 hoursof life. The mean birth weight of babies was 3233 ± 539g. The males had significantly longer mean crown-heel length and mean occipitofrontal circumference compared to females p = 0.048 and p < 0.000 respectively). The prevalence of infants with small-for-gestational age was 7.2% (5.7% and 8.8% among males and females respectively). The proportion of mothers who did not encounter significant illness in pregnancy was lowestamong those who had SGA babies, followed by mothers of LGA babiesand those of AGA babies in that order. With respect to maternal age,weight, height and body mass index (except inter-pregnancy interval),mothers of SGA babies had significantly lower values compared tomothers of the AGA and LGA babies (p < 0.03).Conclusion: This study identified age, parity, anthropometry and  hypertension-related disorders as major maternal factors associated withthe birth of SGA babies in Nigeria.Keywords: Anthropometry, Intrauterine growth restriction, maternal illness, Nigeria

Modified Variational Iteration Method with Chebyshev Polynomials for Solving 12th order Boundary Value problems

We consider in this paper an illustration of the modified variational iteration method (MVIM) as an effective and accurate solver of 12th order boundary value problem (BVP). For this reason, the Chebyshev polynomials of the principal kind was utilized as a premise capabilities in the guess of the logical capability of the given issue. The strategy is applied in an immediate manner without utilizing linearization or irritation. The subsequent mathematical confirmations recommend that the strategy is without a doubt successful and exact as applied to a few direct and nonlinear issues as mathematical trial and error. Maple 18 was used for all computational simulations carried out in this research.©2022 JNSMR UIN Walisongo. All rights reserved

Exclusive breastfeeding practices among women attending a private health facility in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Exclusive breast feeding (EBF) is an effective tool of child survival. While many mothers understand the importance of breast feeding, some circumstances may hinder the practice.Objective: To determine the pattern and factors influencing EBF among women attending a private health facility in Lagos, Nigeria.Methodology: One hundred and twelve mothers with children aged twelve months or less were interviewed through a questionnaire on their breastfeeding practices.Results: At the end of second month, two-fifths of the babies were still exclusively breastfed. This dropped to one-fifth by the end of the fourth month. At the end of six months, less than onetenth of subjects were still exclusively breastfed (3.6%). No association was found between breastfeeding pattern and variables such as gender of infants, place ofdelivery, maternal age, type of delivery and number of antenatal visits. On the contrary there was an association with following variables: birth order among mother siblings, prenatal and postnatal feeding advice.Conclusion: The rate of exclusive breast feeding among mothers forthe recommended six months was very low (3.6%). Antenatal and postnatal programmes that will encourage mothers to practice exclusivebreastfeeding should be strengthened.Key words: Exclusive breast feeding, survival analysis, practice, private hospital, mothe

Iron deficiency anaemia among apparently healthy pre-school children in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Iron deficiency, and specifically iron deficiency anaemia, remains one of the most severe and important nutritional deficiencies in the world today.Objective: To estimate the prevalence and associated factors for iron deficiency anaemia among pre-school children in Lagos.Methodology: The study was conducted from December 2009 to February 2010 at the outpatient clinics of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were assayed in subjects. The primary outcome measured was iron deficiency anaemia established based on the following criteria: hemoglobin <11.0 g/dl1 plus 2 or more of the following: MCV <70fl, transferrin saturation <10% or serum ferritin <15ng/ dL. Statistical analysis included Pearson Chi square analysis and logistic regression analysis.Results: A total of 87 apparently healthy subjects were recruited. Only one subject had iron depletion and this child belonged to the ≤ 2 years age category. None of the recruited subjects had iron deficiency without anaemia. Nine of the study subjects (10.11%) had iron deficiency anaemia. The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was significantly higher among younger age group than in the older age group (19.1% Vs 2.1%, p = 0.022). The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia was significantly higher among subjects with weight-for-age, and weight-for-height Z scores below two standard scores (83.3% and 75.0% respectively, p = <0.001 and 0.001 respectively).Conclusion: The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among study subjects was 10.11%. Iron deficiency anaemia was more common in children aged two years and below. Weight-for-age and weight-for-height Z scores below minus two standard scores were strongly associated with iron deficiency anaemia.Keywords: iron deficiency anaemia, iron depletion, iron deficienc

Estimated glomerular filtration rate in apparently healthy term neonates in Nigeria

Background: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best measure of renal function. However, the ideal exogenous markers are not routinely used to estimate GFR in clinical settings. Outside Africa, GFR estimates for neonates have been calculated from formulae using creatinine as well as cystatin C. There is a paucity of data on estimated GFR in neonates in Africa. This study was conducted to estimate GFR in healthy term African neonates using cystatin C-based equations.Methods: One hundred and thirteen apparently healthy term babies with normal Apgar scores were recruited at birth. Cystatin C was measured in cord blood at birth and in venous samples from neonates on the third day of life. GFR was estimated using the Filler and Lepage as well as the Zappitelli et al. cystatin C-based equations. These estimates were compared with a reference GFR estimate of 41 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m2.Results: The median (interquartile range) estimated GFR values based on cord blood and day 3 venous samples using the Filler and Lepage equation were 44.67 (36.35–72.44) and 51.29 (38.90–72.44) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. When the Zappitelli equation was applied, the estimates were 38.18 (31.84–61.34) and 43.82 (33.75–61.34) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. The GFR estimates derived from both equations did not differ in respect of the gestational age, sex and postnatal ages of the babies.Conclusions: GFR estimates using the Zappitelli equation had values that were closely related to reference GFR measures for neonates whereas the GFR estimates using the Filler and Lepage equation had higher values

National neonatal resuscitation training program in Nigeria (2008-2012): A preliminary report

Background: Routine institutional training of doctors and nurses on newborn resuscitation have commenced, to improve the quality of resuscitation available to high-risk babies, in Nigeria, as a means of reducing newborn deaths in the country. Perinatal asphyxia contributes to 26% of newborn deaths in Nigeria. Perinatal asphyxia results when babies have difficulty establishing spontaneous respiration after birth.Materials and Methods: Between 2008 and 2012, doctors and nurses drawn from all the geo.political zones were trained using the Neonatal  Resuscitation Training (NRT) manual of the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Questionnaire.based, cross.sectional surveys of doctor and nurse trainees from the six geo.political zones in Nigeria were conducted eight months after the primary training, to evaluate the post.training  neonatal resuscitation activities.Results: Over the period of study, 357 doctors and 370 nurse/midwives were primarily trained in NRT. The overall ratio of step down training was 1:22 with 1:18 for doctors and 1:26 for nurses. In 2008, the delivery attendance rates were 11 per doctor and 9 per nurse/midwife. These rates increased to 30 per doctor and 47 per nurse in 2012. Between 88 and 94% of the doctors and between 72 and 93% of the nurses successfully used bag and mask to help babies breathe in the post.training period. The nurses used bag and mask for infant resuscitation more frequently,   compared to doctors, with the rate fluctuating between two.to.one and four.to.one. Over the years, 87 to 94% of the doctors and 92 to 97% of the nurses/midwives trained other birth attendants.Conclusion: The NRT in Nigeria is well.subscribed and the frequency of secondary training is good.Key words: Birth asphyxia, birth attendants, delivery room care, neonatal resuscitation training, perinatal mortalit