EFFECTS OF SEQUENTIAL TEACHING METHODS ON RETENTION OF KNOWLEDGE IN BIOLOGY BY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KENYA

Despite the importance of knowledge in Biology, candidates’ performance at the national examination, The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is poor. This could be attributed to the teaching methods. The purpose of this study was to compare differential effectiveness of Sequential Teaching Methods (STM) on the, retention of knowledge in Biology by secondary school students. The study was Quasi- experimental using the Non-equivalent control- group 16 study design. The target population comprised students in the 18 old category National Schools in Kenya that were in existence before 2012. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a sample of eight (8) schools and 402 Students. The students in the eight (8) sub-groups were taught the same Biology topic: “General Characteristics of Enzymes”, using different sequences of three teaching methods namely: lecture, slide demonstration and laboratory (student experiment). Group I (ELD) began with experiments, followed by lecture method and was lastly shown, animated slides. The sequence of the three different methods used in the first group was altered in both the second and third groups as follows: The lecture method, slide demonstration and laboratory experiment (LDE) for Group II, and slide demonstration, experiment and lecture method (DEL) for group III. Students in group IV (control group) were taught using (oral-only) lecture method. The teachers gave lectures and performed slide demonstration   while the students carried out laboratory experiments. The test was used as a pre-test and also as a retention test that was administered 40 days after the Post-test BAT. This test had 25 objective questions testing knowledge of facts, application of knowledge and problem solving ability. To measure Retention of Knowledge, the researcher used Biology Retention Test (BRT). The research hypothesis was tested using ANOVA at significant level of 0.05. The results and findings of the study show that STM, when efficiently used in instruction, enhance immediate retention of knowledge in Biology more effectively than the oratory lecture method predominantly used in Kenyan Secondary schools. Furthermore, DEL sequence was identified as the most effective in comparison to LDE and ELD. The findings of the study will help curriculum developers and teachers to choose the most appropriate sequence to use in Biology.  Article visualizations

IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMICS ON THE LOW ACCESS TO BASIC EDUCATION AMONG GIRLS IN BALI LGA, TARABA STATE NIGERIA

The best asset for developing any society lies on investing in human capital, especially through education. Free basic education has been viewed as a panacea to the development of human capital, especially in the third world countries. One of these countries, such as Nigeria in West Africa, has compulsory policy on free basic education. However, despite heavy investment in the sector, access to basic education for the girl child remains a challenge. The study sought to establish factors influencing low access of the girl-child to free primary education in Nigeria with a focus on Bali Local Government Area (LGA).The researcher used a cross sectional survey research design. An interview schedule and questionnaire were used to collect data. Data collected was analyzed using content analysis and with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme respectively. Both qualitative and quantitative data was presented using descriptive statistics. The study has established that socio economic and cultural factors have huge influence in inhibiting the girl child’s access to basic education in Bali LGA. It was overwhelmingly (66%) reported that child labour was prevalent in the study area. However, the finding was a reflection of the economic living standards of the households in Bali LGA, where girls were used to support income generation for the households. It emerged during the study that child labour was necessitated by the economic hardships of the parents, drawing its root from poverty, which drives the girls to supplement and boost family income. High (60%) rates of early marriages were also reported in this study. The researcher recommends that the government of Nigeria should introduce new innovative initiatives to control child labour and enforce anti child labour laws.  Article visualizations

Superficial mycoses among psychiatric patients in Mathari hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Objective: To determine the prevalence of superficial mycoses among psychiatric patients.Design: Randomised Prospective studySetting: Mathari Mental Hospital, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi Kenya.Results: A study was conducted on prevalence of superficial fungal infections among psychiatric patients in Mathari Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya during the period of July to November 2009. 152 patients were assessed and samples collected from 25 patients with clinically suggestive symptoms of dermatomycosis revealed a 12.5% prevalence of superficial mycosis. There was no significant difference between males and femaleswith superficial mycosis (P>0.05). Twenty percent of the patients who were on topical application had no viable organisms. Microsporum was the predominant species isolated while the skin was the site most commonly affected (64 %). Epidermophyton was the least prevalent. Terbinafin was the most effective antifungal while ketoconazole was the least effective.Conclusion: All patients admitted at Mathari hospital should be screened for fungal infection and treated. Terbinafin can be used as first line treatment of dermatomycosis after screening all psychiatric patients in Mathari Mental hospital

Effects of Gowin’s Vee Heuristic Strategy on Secondary School Students’ Conceptual Understanding and Metacognition in the Topic of Moments in Physics, in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Physics is a science subject that has contributed immensely to the technological advancement of the world. In the Kenyan 8-4-4 curriculum, it is optional at form three and four. However, physics in Kenya has been faced with poor performance. Consequently, many students drop out of the subject on moving to form three. The cause of this trend has not been fully concluded. On the contrary, many have attributed it to poor instructional methods. This study, therefore, attempts to change this trend. It collected data on the effects of Gowin’s Vee heuristic strategy on students’ conceptual understanding and metacognition in physics among secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County. It was carried out in physics classroom setting. Solomon four quasi-experimental design was used. Two experimental groups were taught using Gowin’s Vee as treatment and two control groups were taught using conventional methods. The target population was 3735 form two students in 83 mixed secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County. Purposive sampling was used to select 134 students to the control and experimental groups. The instruments used were Physics Metacognitive Activity Inventory Questionnaire (PMCAIQ) to test their metacognition and Physics Conceptual Understanding Achievement Test (PCUAT) to test conceptual understanding. The validity of the instruments was determined by supervisors and examination experts from the department of Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Management as well as physics teachers. Reliability of instruments was done using the coefficient of alpha for both instruments. The study found Coefficient of alpha 0.75 and 0.78 for PCUAT and PMCAIQ respectively, hence they were reliable. The data was subjected to descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation. Also inferential statistics was done using t-test and one way ANOVA at 0.05 significance level. These were followed by post hoc analysis. The analysis was done by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study is important in enhancing performance and quality of teaching in the topic of moments in physics and sciences in general. Keywords: Gowin’s Vee, Heuristic, Strategy, metacognition, Conceptual understanding, Physic

Normative leadership: A paradigm for promoting ethical practices in primary teacher education in Kenya

Introduction: Ethical leadership is crucial in all organizations in relation to the successful attainment of institutional vision and mission. However, the influence of morally laden normative leadership on the promotion of ethical practices in primary teacher training colleges in Kenya has not yet been fully analysed and will require further interrogation. This gap is addressed in this study. Purpose: The study analysed how normative leadership can inspire ethical practices contained in Chapter Six of the Kenyan 2010 constitution, in the context of primary teacher education in Kenya. Methodology: Within the phenomenological research design, interviews were conducted to answer two questions, related to how normative leadership inspires ethical practices in public primary teachers training colleges (TTC) in Kenya. The purpose-sampling technique was used to select 35 leaders of TTC and seven regional education officers. Thematic analysis was used whereby the coded data was manually analysed on the basis of identified themes and presented in the form of tables and narratives. Results: The research findings revealed that as role models, normative leaders can succeed in creating a positive ethical environment that institutionalize ethical practices contained in Chapter Six of the Kenyan Constitution to be precise; integrity, discipline, dedication to duty and moral decision making within primary teacher education in Kenya. Conclusion: This study established that the impact of normative leaders as they demonstrate virtuous behaviour and are positive role models in the context of moral goodness and moral duty could inspire ethical practices within training colleges for teachers. Recommendation: The study proposed a philosophical paradigm of normative leadership that can positively influence the mind-set of leaders and their subordinates within TTC to internalize ethical practices on the foundation of moral goodness and moral duty

Effect of transaction costs on international remittance flows from developed countries: A Sub-Saharan context

Remittances play a major role both at a household and a macro-level especially in developing countries. They are associated with benefits such as of economic growth and employment opportunities for a country, while at the household level, remittances are a stable source of income in provision of basic needs such as of food, clothing, shelter and education. Remittance costs have been viewed as a major deterrent to higher volumes of remittance inflows to a country and tend to encourage the use of the cheaper informal channels, which have adverse consequences. This study investigates the drivers of remittance transaction costs and the subsequent effect of transaction costs on remittance flows using bilateral data between several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom over the period 2011 to 2014. Remittance costs are measured as a percentage of the amount remitted. Using multivariate generalised least squares analysis of panel data, this study tested the first hypothesis that financial development, banking concentration and financial risk of a migrant's home country influence transaction costs. Secondly, the study tested the hypothesis that transaction costs have a negative relationship with remittance inflows into the countries. The specific effect of transaction costs on remittance flows is investigated alongside other variables which have been identified to influence remittance flows. These include; the stock of migrants in the host country and host and home country income levels proxied by gross domestic product per capita. The results of random effects estimations show that financial development and bank concentration have a positive and statistically significant relationship with transaction costs. That is, a higher level of financial development does not necessarily lower transaction costs but a high banking concentration, which infers lower competition in the banking sector, drives remittance costs up. On the effect of transaction costs on remittance flows into the countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the study found a negative and significant relationship. That is, a higher cost in remitting funds via formal channels reduces the remittance flows and as such, it thus increases the probability of the use of informal channels. The stock of migrants is also found to have a positive and statistically significant effect on remittances, meaning that a higher number of migrants in a developed country leads to higher volumes of remittances to the migrants' home countries. The proxies for incomes were found to be insignificant. The implications of the significance of remittance costs are noteworthy as they add evidence on the need to cut remittance costs by formal channels significantly to three percent of the total amount remitted by global development institutions

Effect of Organizational Commitment, Job Stress, And Job Satisfaction on Turnover Intention

The purpose of this study is to find out how organizational commitment, job stress, and job satisfaction affect turnover intention. This research was conducted at PT Satya Ardhia Angkasa (Outsourcing PT Angkasa Pura II Persero) in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 of Soekarno–Hatta Airport. This type of research is included in quantitative research with a total population of all employees working at PT Satya Ardhia Angkasa located in Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 of Soekarno–Hatta Airport with a Sample of 100 employees. This research data collection technician uses interviews and questioners. The analysis method uses classic assumption testing, data validity, and reality testing as well as hypothesis testing with multiple linear regression analysis techniques processed using SPSS 23.0 for windows. Based on the results of determination coefficient tests resulting in an Adjusted R Square value of 0.433 or 43.3%, this shows the effect of Organizational Commitment, Job Stress, and Job Satisfaction on Turnover Intentions. The remaining 56.7% influenced the results found in this study of Organizational Commitment, Job Stress and Job Satisfaction have a simultaneous and significant effect on turnover intention

Revisiting the implications of Liouville's theorem to the anisotropy of cosmic rays

We present a solution to Liouville's equation for an ensemble of charged particles propagating in magnetic fields. The solution is presented using an expansion in spherical harmonics of the phase space density, allowing a direct interpretation of the distribution of arrival directions of cosmic rays. The results are found for chosen conditions of variability and source distributions. We show there are two conditions for an initially isotropic flux of particles to remain isotropic while traveling through a magnetic field: isotropy and homogeneity of the sources. The formalism is used to analyze the data measured by the Pierre Auger Observatory, contributing to the understanding of the dependence of the dipole amplitude with energy and predicting the energy in which the quadrupole signal should be measured