‘I enjoy teaching by writing’: experiences of Kenyan secondary school English textbook authors

This paper examines secondary school English textbook authors’ experiences in Kenya, where English is an official language and the main language of education. Textbook authorship is presented as a production process. Production, one of five processes within the Circuit of Culture (Gray 2007), helps make meaning of the textbook as a cultural artefact. Through interviews, authors indicated that their textbook authorship experiences had involved them in research and planning, drafting and moderation, team-building efforts, informal trialling and, later, opportunities to write different types of teaching and learning materials. Among the challenges they experienced were bonding, syllabus interpretation, meeting deadlines, matching content to learner level, work-life balance, negotiating royalties, copyright issues and access to/handling of consumer feedback. The author concludes that the national curriculum development body, together with publishers and authors, ought to jointly address these various challenges, and thereby improve the overall process of textbook development

Assessing conformity of HIV and AIDS education to acceptable communication principles

HIV epidemic remains a serious health concern that has claimed thousands of lives and orphaned millions of children. This study analysed effective communication planning and implementation process among non-governmental organizations providing HIV and AIDS education.The study’s overall objective was to analyse the planning and implementation of the communication interventions within non-governmental organisations dealing with HIV and AIDS. The study aimed at analysing the planning of the communication process of HIV and AIDS NGO’s with focus on assessing their conformity with acceptable communication principles. The research was conducted in Nairobi and Kisumu. Sample was drawn from of six hundred and forty-five organisations registered by the Kenya NGO AIDS Consortium (KANCO). Two hundred and sixty organisations offered educational and communication interventions and these were isolated for study. The researcher used both primary and secondary sources of data. Semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interview guides were the methods used to collect primary data. Data collected from primary source was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while data from the key informant interviews were analysed along thematic areas and used to support the information derived from the semi-structured interviews. Triangulation, graphics and bar charts and pie charts were the methods used to present findings.  The study disclosed the presence of components of behaviour change communication, combined with awareness-raising for about 50% of the organisations. The conclusion of the study was that about a half of the organisations had embraced effective communication principles in the implementation of their interventions

Strengths, Constraints and Gaps in HIV and AIDS Education Communication Process among NGOs in Kenya

This study aimed to investigate the enhancing and constraining factors in planning of communication process among HIV and AIDs NGOs in Kenya. The study aimed at assessing the NGOS conformity with acceptable communication principles; and to identify the strengths, gaps and constraints in the existing planning of the communication process of the said organisations.The study was carried out in Nairobi and Kisumu. The sample was derived from registered NGOS in Kenya offering HIV and AIDS education. Data was collected from both primary and secondary sources. Data from the semi-structured interviews were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while data from the key informant interviews were analysed along thematic areas and used to support the information derived from the semi-structured interviews. The findings are presented using triangulation, as well as visual graphics, such as bar charts and pie charts.  Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and themes respectively. Findings were presented using triangulation, graphics, such as bar charts and pie charts. The findings indicate that participation was well integrated in most of the organisations’ interventions. The study concludes that one of the assumptions made in this study, participation was a key component for about three-quarters of the organisations. The researcher recommended for further research on audience studies on HIV and AIDS communication in Kenya; and the mass media and HIV and AIDS. Keywords: Communication process, Communication planning, HIV and AIDS organizations, Constraints in HIV and AIDS communication

The nexus between social capital and household investment among financially included youth in Kenya

Financial inclusion is a poverty reduction tool and many economies have taken it up as a national agenda. To meet the expected levels of financial inclusion, governments have worked with financial intermediaries to reach the expected target group; the unbanked poor. As per financial intermediation theory, the role of financial intermediaries is to reduce information asymmetry in the financial system. To enhance financial inclusion, many countries and financial institutions have embraced Information Communication Technology (ICT). ICT is recognized as a tool that has worked greatly towards enhancing sharing of information at a low-cost and thus helped in improving financial inclusion. Though many countries have achieved high levels of financial inclusion through ICT, the levels of poverty have not changed. The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship between ICT, financial intermediation, and household investment. Study methodology was a review of the literature on financial inclusion, financial intermediation, ICT and household investment. The study noted that ICT is helping in financial intermediation and thus more people can access financial services. Unfortunately, the levels of ICT capability among the poor is low, and in that case, the poor are not able to use financial services offered through ICT platforms to undertake household investment. This is the reason as to why, despite the high levels of financial inclusion, the poor remains poor. This study recommends that the government make sure that the levels of ICT among the populace is high. Financial institutions should provide financial services with more user-friendly ICT platforms.peer-reviewe

Biography of an English language textbook in Kenya : a journey from conceptualization to the classroom

This biography tells the life story of a secondary school English coursebook in Kenya following market liberalization (1998) and curriculum review (2002). In ELT, Gray (2007, 2010) first applied the ‘circuit of culture’ model to global English coursebooks; in contrast, I examine the case of a single local publication. The textbook has been described as a politico-economic, socio-cultural, and curriculum product. I focus on it primarily as a curriculum product and delink the circuit of culture from its original application in textbook studies in the service of a sociocultural perspective. I posit that the model has the explanatory power to capture the various research focuses that textbook studies may take. The circuit of culture has five processes or ‘moments’: representation, identity, regulation, production and consumption. Following preliminary work, my ‘journey’ begins in the representation moment, using Littlejohn’s (1992, 1998) framework for materials analysis. In the regulation moment, I interview three participants linked to the curriculum development body (KIE). In the production moment, I interview four authors, the editor and the publishing manager of the selected coursebook. In the consumption moment, I interview sixteen teachers who are or have been users of the materials. Four of the teachers participate in classroom observation and their learners respond to a questionnaire. Finally, I build a key identity statement about the coursebook, pooled from the findings in each moment. I reposition the identity moment and posit its centrality at the core of the circuit. Spurred by insights on innovation in English language education, I support the strengthening of ‘feedback loops’ across moments, and the recognition of the consumption moment as the zone for promoting dynamism and synergy in textbook development. This can (ideally) result in curriculum products and practices capable of overcoming challenges of interpretation and transition, while promoting good practices across moments

BENTUK-BENTUK PERBUATAN YANG DILARANG BERDASARKAN UNDANG-UNDANG NOMOR 7 TAHUN 2011 TENTANG MATA UANG

Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana bentuk-bentuk perbuatan yang dilarang berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor Undang-Undang Nomor 7 Tahun 2011 Tentang Mata Uang dan bagaimana pemberlakuan sanksi pidana apabila melakukan perbuatan-perbuatan yang dilarang menurut Undang-Undang Nomor Undang-Undang Nomor 7 Tahun 2011 Tentang Mata Uang. Dengan menggunakan metode peneltian yuridis normatif, disimpulkan: 1. Bentuk-bentuk perbuatan yang dilarang berkaitan dengan mata uang diantaranya menolak untuk menerima rupiah yang penyerahannya dimaksudkan sebagai pembayaran atau untuk menyelesaikan kewajiban yang harus dipenuhi dengan Rupiah dan/atau untuk transaksi keuangan lainnya di wilayah Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia, kecuali karena terdapat keraguan atas keaslian Rupiah. Perbuatan meniru Rupiah, kecuali untuk tujuan pendidikan dan/atau promosi dengan memberi kata spesimen dan menyebarkan menyebarkan atau mengedarkan Rupiah Tiruan. Bentuk-bentuk larangan lainnya diatur dalam Pasal 23 sampai dengan Pasal 27 Undang-Undang Nomor Nomor 7 Tahun 2011 tentang Mata Uang. 2. Pemberlakuan sanksi pidana apabila melakukan perbuatan-perbuatan yang dilarang berkaitan dengan mata uang dapat dikenakan pidana kurungan, pidana penjara paling dan pidana denda sesuai dengan bentuk-bentuk perbuatan yang merupakan pelanggaran atas larangan-larangan sebagaimana diatur dalam Pasal Pasal 23 sampai dengan Pasal 27 Undang-Undang Nomor Nomor 7 Tahun 2011 tentang Mata Uang.Kata kunci: Bentuk-Bentuk Perbuatan,  Dilarang, Mata Uan

Assessment of factors affecting social media use for HIV andAIDS communication among undergraduate students in South-Western Nigeria

The study evaluated factors that affect use of social media for HIV and AIDS communication among federal university undergraduates in south western Nigeria. The cross-sectional research method was employed. Structured questionnaire copies were administered to 355 undergraduate students. Quantitative data gathered from the administered questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result showed that blogs (41.1%), twitter (25.4%) and WhatsApp (17.7%) were the social media sites preferred by male and female respondents for sharing and accessing HIV and AIDS information. The use of these social media sites for HIV and AIDS information communication was influenced by privacy and neutrality. It also showed that majority of the undergraduates affirmed that HIV and AIDS information on social media platforms was very useful because it facilitated access to quality tips on HIV. A significant percentage of the respondents also affirmed that the use of social media was hugely affected by epileptic nature of power supply, poor network connectivity, ICT skills and cost of subscription. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified ICT skill as the only environmental factor that had significant influence on social media use (F= 4.234, p<0.05) and was responsible for 33.9% of the variation in social media use for HIV information communication. The study suggested the campaign on prominent HIV/AIDS discussion sites and ICT skill acquisition to enable youth connect and effectively make use of social media for HIV information communication.Keywords: Social media, HIV/AIDS information, communication, barrier

Credit management practice, SACCO size and financial sustainability of deposit taking saving and credit co-operatives in Kenya

Purpose: Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Co-operatives facilitates financial intermediation, inclusion and deepening. In spite of this, 30 percent do not operate with prudent credit management practices attributed to unremitted deductions by employer institutions or borrowers’ default and unskilled employees. This makes them prone to de-licensing for being financially vulnerable thus, putting members’ funds at risk. This is still a puzzle even with the investment by the government on an oversight authority that can ensure they are compliant to the regulations so as to maintain financial sustainability. This study was conducted to establish the moderating effect of SACCO size on credit management practice and financial sustainability. The information asymmetry theory was adopted where the study population was the Kenya Deposit Taking Saving and Credit Cooperatives. -- Design and Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a positivism philosophical paradigm where the sample size was 119 respondents out of which 95 percent responded. Emailed questionnaire and data collection sheet were used in data collection. -- Findings: A binary logistic regression was carried out where it was established that with presence of a moderator for the independent sub-variables, the strength of relationship between variables didn’t change (Nagelkerke R2 = 20.1 percent) but with introduction of interaction term, the strength of relationship between variables changed (Nagelkerke R2 = 27.2 percent). However, the relationship strength between variables didn’t change with presence of a moderator for the independent variable (Nagelkerke R2 = 19.9 percent). -- Conclusion and recommendation: This study thus, concluded that SACCO size had a significant moderating effect on the independent sub-variables but the overall independent variable did not show any significance. This study recommended that SACCO size should only be considered while addressing credit risk mitigation and staff competence of DT-SACCOs in an effort to improve their financial sustainability.peer-reviewe

Sistem Absensi Smart Doorlock Pada Ruangan Dengan Menggunakan SQL Server Berplatform Android

Abstrak— Absensi Ruangan merupakan hal yang wajib dilakukan untuk pegawai dalam kehadiran. Absensi masih menggunakan cara manual. Tentu saja tidak efesien, Oleh karena itu, diperlukan suatu sistem absensi ruangan pegawai yang dapat melakukan pendataan dan pengelolaan data agar dapat dilakukan secara cepat, terstruktur, sistematis, efisien, dan akurat. Pembuatan sistem absensi ruangan ini dilakukan dengan cara pengumpulan data, analisa sistem, perancangan sistem, dan implementasi sistem. Sistem ini dibuat dengan menggunakan RFID RC 522 sebagai alatnya dan  bahasa pemrograman PHP dan SQL server untuk pengelolaan database. Sebagai hasil dari tugas akhir ini adalah dibuatnya Absensi Ruangan Smart doorlock berplatform Android. Teknologi Informasi Absensi ruangan pegawai Berbasis android Menggunakan ID Card yang memiliki fasilitas seperti: manajemen data pegawai, manajemen data ruangan, manajemen data absensi kehadiran, absensi Ruangan menggunakan ID Card yang dimiliki oleh pegawai. Dengan adanya aplikasi ini, proses absensi akan lebih efisien dan dapat dipantau dengan mudah oleh pimpinan dan oleh pusat

Cash management practice, SACCO size and Kenya’s deposit taking saving and credit co-operatives financial sustainability

Deposit taking Savings and Credit Co-operatives (SACCO) are solution to social dilemmas like abject poverty, living standards and unemployment. Nevertheless, 14 percent do not maintain sound cash management practices despite SACCOs oversight authority in Kenya offering guidelines and supervision to the enterprises that would assist in maintaining their financial sustainability. This necessitated for the evaluation of the moderating effect of SACCO size on cash management practice and financial sustainability. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a positivism philosophical paradigm  was adopted. Emailed questionnaire and data collection sheet were used in data collection which registered a 95 percent response rate. A binary logistic regression results established that with presence of a moderator for the predictor sub-variables, the strength of the relationship between variables registered an insignificant change but with introduction of interaction term, the strength of relationship between variables changed. The study concluded that SACCO size portrayed a statistically significant moderating effect on predictor sub-variables and response variable. The study thus recommends that the management need to consider increasing their SACCO sizes through merging, acquiring the non-performing SACCOs or even conducting intensive marketing since large size SACCO have low chances of being financially unsustainabl