Methods of Increasing Speaking Activities in the Classroom (Maximising Student Input and Involvement)

This article explores methods of maximizing student participation in the classroom. The lecture method is often used especially with large classes thereby leading to ‘passive’-student roles. Some teachers view communicative approaches as noisy and time wasting because syllabus coverage is crucial to an examination-oriented syllabus. Other reasons for this approach include classroom space limitation for executing interactive learning activities and students not being used to interactive learning. However, there are instructors who employ a learner-centred approach.   An Attempt to promote a student-based, communication-driven approach is likely to encounter passive resistance due to their traditional learning context. The research set out to determine methods of maximizing student interest and involvement in the classroom. It took place at Marist International University College. I conducted fifteen hours lessons in May and June 2012 applying various communicative activities. There was teacher-learner interaction. The teacher employed interaction patterns like pair, group work activities etc. These provided a perfect opportunity for all learners to communicate.  The findings demonstrated that the teacher has to create a conducive environment, establish rapport with learners, elicit more, plan for appropriate and interesting communicative activities and exploit a variety of teaching resources. These actively involved learners in the learning experiences. Key words: Collaborative, phonology, skills, facilitator, teaching, learning, elicit, communicative, interactive, activities, classroom, authentic, tasks, student, teacher

Challenges Faced by Tutors In Setting of Examinations

Regarding the testing /examination situation in English at Higher Education level most institutions hold test development workshops/seminars for their staff, have internal and external examination moderation, and the staff work as a team thereby making the staff conversant with the right techniques of setting examinations. This paper examines the challenges faced by tutors in setting of examinations. Data was collected by administering questionnaires to tutors to identify challenges faced in setting of examinations and forms of support required. The study was conducted in 2012 in an institution in Kenya. Findings of the study, remedies and recommendations are discussed herein. The study concluded that during internal and external moderation of summative examinations some challenges are identified. As per the findings, some tutors require adequate support to acquire the necessary skills through workshops, seminars and mentoring by experienced colleagues. Providing proper orientation to tutors who require this is mandatory for setting of effective examinations. Equipping them with the needed skills improves the quality of examinations in an institution and gives tutors confidence. Key words Challenges, tutors, setting examinations, remedies, quality, standard, testing, validity, moderation

Teacher Level of Interaction with Learners Based on Classroom Seating Position

From experience, I have noted that in most classrooms teachers tend to nominate either high ability or extrovert students to speak, hence, the same students tend to participate most of the time. This research aimed at determining if teacher level of interaction with learners is based on students’ seating position. I conducted the research and had ten hours of observation of English language lessons in selected secondary schools in Nairobi between March and November 2012.   The findings indicate that the number of contributions from each learner was linked to the classroom seating. I also found that the teacher should give positive reinforcement to the responses given by learners and encourage all students to be active. The study also confirmed that there must be a fair distribution of questions and feedback directed to all students despite their seating position to result in an all inclusive/equal participation. Key words Interaction, seating position, teacher, learners, nominate, contributions, questions, observation, participate, active, reinforcement, responses

Intelligent Pillow for Heart Rate Monitor

The aim of the project is to develop intelligent pillow to monitor the heart rate by using fiber optical sensor. The research is focused upon allowing more automation of patient care, an especially important matter for the elder population or bedridden patients, which is a rapidly growing fraction of much of the world population today. The fiber-optical sensor is built into pillow. Patients can determine their heart rate by just lying on the pillow and the device will not cause any disturbance to patients and at the same time still monitoring the heart rate. ECG electrodes and finger clip / ear lobe clip probes (using IR LED and photodiode technology) are commonly used for monitoring heart rate. Unfortunately, they are inconvenient and inadequate for long-term, everyday measurements. Fiber-optical sensing overcomes many of these challenges by using light rather than electricity and standard optical fiber in place of copper wire. Optical fibers are nonconductive, electrically passive, immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI)-induced noise, and able to transmit data over long distances with little or no loss in signal integrity. Using the concept of light and the benefits of using fiber optical sensors to detect the heart rate, PPG(photoplethysmogram) is being used in this project. A photoplethysmogram (PPG) is an optically obtained plethysmogram, a volumetric measurement of an organ. A PPG is often obtained by using a pulse oximeter which illuminates the skin and measures changes in light absorption (Shelley and Shelley, 2001).DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v3i6.405

A Proposed Program for the Improvement of Oral and Written Language Needs of the Timpson High School Freshman Students Timpson, Texas

The purpose of the proposed language program for the Timpson High School freshman class are as follows: 1. To help the student meet as effectively as possible, circumstances involving the use of language. 2. To prepare the student for life\u27s situations by giving him what he needs and permitting him to designate his needs through his everyday speech and writing. 3. To stimulate the pupil\u27s interest in clear thinking in oral and written language. 4. To encourage the pupil to have respect for the language he uses, to have special aims in literary study, and in the study of composition. Weaknesses in oral and written language can be overcome through learning what they are and then carefully making plans to do more effective teaching that keeps constantly in view the recognized aims of education. Limited knowledge of basic fundamentals of oral and written language restricts effective thought expression. Incorrect grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and sentence sense show a lack of comprehension of language usage. The use of material within the interest, ability, and experience of the pupil tends to improve his thinking

Social Media as Amedium of Crisis Communication Amongst University Campuses in Kisii County

Social media gives the ability to communicate quickly and effectively, revolutionizing the manner in which people communicate and gather information about stories and topics that are of interest to them. With the right tools in place, social media can play an important role in crisis communication. The use of social media in crisis communication has become common in the current digital age. The manifestation of social media usage is in the rapid growth and popularity of such social media platforms such as facebook, bandoo, flicker, twitter and whatsApp. As such this paper examined the applications of social media platforms in crisis communication in university management. The analysis targeted employees from different university campuses in Kisii County. The study sampled 108 employees of university campuses in Kisii County. Quantitative data that was collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was examined and reported basing on various themes. Data indicated that various social media platforms are in use by the university campuses in their crisis communication. Whatsapp was noted to be the most used social media by the university campuses in Kisii County. As a tool for mobile devices, WhatsApp has several capabilities such as portability, ability to share several message formats such as graphics and geographical location, ability to send voice notes and ability to broadcast one message to many recipients. This makes it attractive to the majority of the users. Keywords:Crisis Communication, social media, digital age, telecommunication firms, crisis; crisis communication; whatsApp. DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/96-05 Publication date:May 31st 202

States’ non- Cooperation in the arrest and surrender of suspects of international crimes: an analysis of its precedents and impacts on the International Criminal Court

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Laws, at Strathmore UniversityStates’ cooperation is at the core of the International Criminal Court, it requires the cooperation of States to carry out some of the key functions which include arrest and surrender. Without cooperation in arrest and surrender, the court is handicapped as it has no provision to proceed in the absence of the accused. States’ non-cooperation in the arrest and surrender of suspects has been a very big problem for the ICC. This is because of the lack of enforcement powers; it has to rely on States as well as the Assembly of States Parties and the United Nations Security Council to carry out enforcement on its behalf. This thesis evaluates this problem with an emphasis on the factors that mostly account for non-cooperation. It will also analyse the Rome Statute mechanism on non-cooperation to find the reasons for its ineffectiveness. Finally, it will then propose the use of diplomatic sanctions and trials in absentia in an effort to find practical solutions to this problem

Role of Institutions of Higher Learning in Enhancing Sustainable Development in Kenya

Education brings about a change in the individual which promotes greater productivity and work efficiency. It remains a major component in the development of human resources and it accounts for much improvements in population quality and environmental resource management; hence, sustainable development. Improvement of human resources is not limited to the inculcation of skills and knowledge, but includes having values, positive attitudes and motives consistent with the goals and methods of development plan that will benefit the future generations. The study ascertains the role of Marist International University College (MIUC) in the enhancement of sustainable development in Kenya.  It adopts a qualitative approach/paradigm and it specifically uses case study in its design. The sample size of the study consists of 15 respondents; 10 graduating students and 5 staff members. In-depth interview and document analysis guides consisting of five main research questions are used for data collection. The result of the study reveals that MIUC educates its students to be agents of liberation, transformation and development. However, it is faced by the challenge of financial constraint and limited programmes. This implies that only few students benefit from its curricula; hence the rate of diffusion of wealth of knowledge for sustainable development nationwide is low. In conclusion, the study recommends to the government to fully fund private universities as it does to public universities and it also advises MIUC to develop more attractive and market driven programmes. Keywords: Role, institutions of higher learning, enhancement, sustainable developmen

eResearch support : an exploratory study of private university libraries in Nairobi County, Kenya.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2019.This exploratory study was carried out in Nairobi County, Kenya to investigate the role of private university libraries in supporting eResearch. The study used a multiple-case study design involving six private chartered universities that included Africa International University, Africa Nazarene University, the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Daystar University, Pan Africa Christian University, and the United States International University. The following research questions were addressed: How do the organisation structures of the university libraries support eResearch? What positions in the organisation structure and competencies are available for coordinating eResearch? How is curation, analysis, and provenance (Metadata) of both basic data and information produced by research achieved? What problems of data management, organisation, dissemination, and preservation exist and how can they be addressed? What procedures, tools, and policies are used to promote eResearch? What is the inclination of library and academic staff towards eResearch? The study was underpinned by two theoretical frameworks namely: The Purdue University Libraries (PUL) model and the eResearch Capability Model (eRCM) respectively. A pragmatic paradigm was adopted, which provided a basis for the use of mixed methods encompassing qualitative and quantitative approaches. The unit of analysis consisted of PhD students, Faculty, University Librarians, Reference Librarians, and Institutional Repository Managers. PhD students and Faculty are the most active group in research in the universities. Librarians on the other hand, are involved in providing eResearch support. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from 306 PhD students, 462 Faculty members, 13 Reference Librarians, and 7 IR Managers, while interviews were used to collect data from the University Librarians. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 21 to generate descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Validity was enhanced through deriving questions from the set objectives, reviewing and adopting methodologies from previous studies and application of a multiple-case design to enhance generalisabilty of the results. Reliability was ascertained through pre-testing of the survey questionnaires and subjecting it to Cronbach’s Alpha where a coefficient Alpha of 0.895 was achieved indicating a high reliability. The study complied with research ethical protocols of the UKZN and permission was sought and granted from all the universities that were surveyed. Consent was also obtained from respondents prior to involving them in the study. The findings of the study showed that the university libraries had stringent organisational structures, conventional library set ups, and lacked roles specifically designated to facilitate eResearch support. The findings also revealed that the libraries generally did not have staff with competencies to provide eResearch support. Therefore, research data management service was not provided by the university libraries. Several challenges in relation to data management were identified which included the lack of strategies and policies to guide data management support, the lack of integrated and realigned eResearch policies, the research process was fragmented, meaningful collaborative support towards eResearch within the universities and externally had not been established, and there were limited ICT policies and infrastructures. Finally, the findings revealed a general positive attitude and willingness towards eResearch from the librarians and the researchers at large but the eResearch environment was yet to be institutionalised. The study proffers among other recommendations a review of the libraries’ organisational structures to facilitate eResearch; an advancement of librarians’ competencies through formal and informal structures to empower them to effectively support eResearch; libraries should assist researchers to create data management plans; there is a need for libraries to institutionalise RDM as a core library service; there is a need for an elaborate ICT policy to ensure appropriate tools are available to enable eResearch; the need to create awareness and advocacy about eResearch among stakeholders, and the libraries must carry out needs analysis to understand the stakeholders needs properly in order to create a conducive environment for eResearch