ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS TOWARDS BLENDED LEARNING

Abstract Blended learning is a learning system that combines both online and face to face learning. It has come with its advantages as well as its disadvantages thus resulting in either positive or negative attitudes of users. The study sets out to understand the attitude of postgraduate students towards blended learning and the factors that influences their attitude. The study adopted a survey method, it makes use of questionnaire for data gathering. Data was gathered from a population of 130 post graduate students in department of Information Management, Lead City University sampling a number of 97 using Krejce and Morgan table. 95 of the questionnaire which was I Google form was filled and analyzed using simple statistical table while the hypothesis was tested using multiple regression analysis via SPSS statistical software package. The study revealed positive attitude of postgraduates towards blended learning with 94.7% accepting that BL is beneficial and that it should be encouraged. Moreover, nearly nine in ten 89.5% concurred that BL is intriguing and engaging. 94.8% of the respondents agreed that the major challenge is network or internet connectivity issues. 84.2% of the respondents agreed that some topics are better treated in physical classes while 89.5% of the respondents making majority agreed that blended learning reduces the touch of human. The Null hypothesis that there is no joint significant influence of subjective norm, behavioural control and external factors on the attitude of post graduate students towards blended learning was rejected with at a significant level of (Adj.R2 =0.517, F(3,91) =34.595, p =0.000). The researcher recommends that Higher institution of learning should embrace Blended Learning as the two (face to face and online learning) can create a balanced learning experience. Keywords: Blended Learning, Attitudes, Postgraduates, Online learning, E-learning, Learning Management System. Number of words: 28

Mothers’ perspectives of newborn hearing screening programme

Background: Newborn hearing screening programs identifies newborns with hearing loss. The early identification enables prompt intervention through hearing rehabilitation. Accurate knowledge of the program and its benefit will impact on the uptake of the program by the citizenry. We hypothesized that there is a gap in the knowledge of parents on hearing screening and rehabilitation measures in Nigeria.Aim: To determine the knowledge and perceptions of mothers of newborn children on hearing screening.Methods: A cross sectional observational study among mothers of newborn children at immunization clinics. Semi structured questionnaire on gestational duration, mode of delivery, birth asphyxia, knowledge on hearing loss and newborn hearing screening were administered.Results: Participants were 48 mothers with age range from 18 to 42 years. Awareness of newborn hearing screening was poor among the mothers; sources of information on newborn hearing screening were antenatal clinic, mass media and friends. The educational level of the participants had no association with awareness (p = 0.11), but the willingness to accept newborn hearing screening, was associated with socioeconomic status (p = 0.04) and the level of education (p = 0.02). The participants were not aware of factors responsible for hearing loss in childhood.Conclusion: There is inadequate knowledge about newborn hearing screening and risk factors for infant hearing loss among the mothers, though they demonstrate willingness to accept the newborn hearing screening. Funding: None declaredKeywords: Hearing loss, hearing screening, immunization, mother, newbor

An Overview of Pharmaceutical Validation and Process Controls in Drug Development.

It has always been known that the processes involved in pharmaceutical production impact significantly on the quality of the products The processes include raw material and equipment inspections as well as in-process controls. Process controls are mandatory in good manufacturing practice (GMP). The purpose is to monitor the on-line and off-line performance of the manufacturing process, and hence, validate it. Thus validation is an integral part of quality assurance. This overview examines the need for pharmaceutical validation and the various approaches and steps involved as well other pertinent consideration. Keywords: Drug production, pharmaceutical validation, pharmaceutical process control. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2002; 1(2): 11

Comparative Studies of Two Nigerian Ecotypes Chicken Kept in Battery Cage for Reproductive Performance and Egg Quality Traits

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate and determine the effects of ecotype on laying performance and some egg quality traits in two indigenous chickens ecotype commonly found in Kwara state Nigeria {Fulani Ecotype chicken (FE) and Yoruba Ecotype chicken (YE)}. They were kept in battery cages for a period of fifty tw

Integrating geoelectrical and borehole data in the characterization of basement-rock aquifers in the Lokoja area, northcentral Nigeria

The study area is composed of mainly basement rocks, with problems of low yield of groundwater in most of the boreholes drilled. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the hydraulic parameters of the basement aquifers using the vertical electrical sounding (VES), constant rate pumping test, and borehole logs. The mean value of aquifer resistivity and thickness are 408.4 Ωm and 20.2 m. The depth ranges from 20.9-88.0 m with a mean value of 55.5 m; showing appreciable groundwater potential mostly within the southern part. The value of transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity from the resistivity data ranges from 2.058-1761.033 m2/day and 0.205-138.664 m/day with a mean value of 152.251 m2/day and 8.841 m/day, respectively, indicating porous and permeable zones within the southern and northwestern part of the study area. The value of longitudinal conductance and transverse unit resistance ranges from 0.0034-4.2333 m-hom and 38.1-146439 Ωm2 with a mean value of 0.3250 m-hom and 9704.1 Ωm2; indicating poor to moderate protective capacity in almost the entire area except for the small portion within the southern part. The mean value of fracture contrast and the reflection coefficient are 0.743 and -0.333, showing that the southern part has more water-filled fractures. Conclusively, this study reveals, that the aquifer depth ranges from 60-90 m, the transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity demonstrate high porosity and permeability within the southern parts of the study area, and serve as a baseline for groundwater resource management policy in Nigeria