Curriculum resources and academic performance of distance learning students in selected Kenyan public universities.

Distance learning is a mode of study which involves the separation of the lecturer from the student in space, time or both. The mode of study is increasingly being adopted globally due to development in technology, its flexibility and the benefits which accrue to individuals and the society as a result of investment in education. Academic performance of distance learning students has been of interest to scholars. Findings in developed countries have been consistent, however in Kenya, they have been inconsistent. This study sought to establish the extent to which curriculum resources influence academic performance of distance learning students in selected Kenyan public universities. The study is based on pragmatism due to its focus on objectivity and use of scientific methods. Mixed methods of research were used. The sample consisted of 847 Bachelor of Education (Arts) distance learning students, 149 lecturers teaching distance learning students and 2 administrators in charge of distance learning programmes. The research instruments consisted of questionnaires, interview guides, document analysis and the instrument for measuring academic performance. The findings indicated that curriculum resources, significantly and positively influence academic performance of distance learning students. The study recommends that effort should be geared towards enhancing accessibility and the use of online curriculum resources by distance learning students. Key words: Distance learning, curriculum resources, academic performanc

Learners’ self efficacy and academic performance of distance learning students in selected Kenyan public universities.

Academic performance of distance learning students has been of concern to researchers. Several researches done since 1920s in developed countries have revealed that there is no significant difference in performance between distance learning students and conventional students. In Kenya, however, the result findings have been inconsistent. The objective of this study was to establish the moderating influence of learners’ self efficacy on the relationship between institutional factors and academic performance of distance learning students. The study is based on pragmatism due to its focus on objectivity and use of scientific methods. Mixed methods of research were used. The target population consisted of 847 Bachelor of Education (Arts) distance learning students, 149 lecturers teaching distance learning students and 2 administrators in charge of distance learning programmes. The research instruments consisted of questionnaires, interview guides, document analysis and the instrument for measuring academic performance. The findings indicated that the moderating influence of learners’ self efficacy on the relationship between institutional factors and academic performance was statistically significant. Key words: Distance learning students, learners’ self efficacy, academic performanc

Ideology and Subversion in Feminist Short Stories from Africa

This paper examines the oppressive nature of the patriarchal society and the Feminist voice for fair treatment of women to restore her respect and dignity. To illustrate the feminist concerns and the subversive practices, three short stories have been used namely: Tandiwe Myambo’s, “Decidious Gazelles”, Lindsey Collen’s “The Enigma”, and Ifeoma Okoye’s “The Power of a Plate of Rice”. All the three stories appear in Vera (1999).The paper exposes the challenges facing the woman in a patriarchal society. The women in the three short stories live within family units with clearly defined roles and expectations for harmonious living, but the reversal takes place. The man has usurped authority and his domineering nature is being felt both at home and at the work place. The men have accepted their superior roles, granted to them naturally by the patriarchal society. The woman finds it difficult to both accept and play the subordinate roles because of their oppressive nature. The paper will explore the plight of these women, both single and married and attempt to get into their inner lives to see the situations they face, the challenges and their struggle to liberate themselves from the oppressive patriarchal system

Tenets of Myths of Origin in the Tigania Community of Kenya: A Cultural Exploration

Myths of origin display certain salient features that set them apart from other genres of oral literature. This paper, however, lays emphasis on the major tenets of myths of origins from the Tigania community. Sigmund Freud and Karl Jung believe that myths and legends symbolically enact deep truths about human nature. Throughout history, myths have accompanied religious doctrines and rituals, helping sanction or recall. The reasons for religious observances can also help sanction customs and institutions. Writers and speakers often turn to myths when they try to tell stories of deep significance because mythic structures touch a powerful and primal part of the human imagination. They help to concisely allude to stories familiar to their audiences by drawing on a powerful association with just a few words. Emile Dukheim‟s developments in functionalism were later modified and referred to as functionalism by Haralambos and Holborn as, “the various parts of society…seen to be integrated and taken together as a complete system. To understand any part of society, the part must be seen in relation to society as a whole” (2007:856). In this way, a functionalist examines part of society in terms of its contribution to the maintenance of the whole system. This means that the relationships between members of society are organized in terms of rules and social norms which stipulate how people are expected to behave. This will entail an example of how myths of origin from the Tigania community are structured and what effect they have on other parts of this community’s social, political and economic structure. Many stories fall into familiar mythic patterns and they display certain salient features that set them apart from other genres of oral literature

Effectiveness of character and style in communicating myths of origin: A critical analysis of Tigania Community of Kenya

Characterization in a work of art comprises the persons through whom the writer speaks to his audience. Characters play a vital role in literature as they control the plot of the story, bring out themes and arouse and sustain interest. Forster (1972) asserts that the importance of characterization is anchored on the fact that a writer is able to appeal to the intelligence and imagination of the reader. This paper examines six myths of origin from the Tigania Community. These myths are: The Origin of Death, Red-Thigh Woman, (Ngirani), Domestication of Animals, 'Gichiaro', Naming Patterns and Rain and Thunderstorms. These reveal the deep-rooted cultural subversion of the female gender and there seems no hope of unwarping the woman from the intricate web that culture has constructed for her. Characterization and style have been artistically interwoven in the creation of the myths. Chapman (1973) stipulates that in a literary work, language is conscious in formation and that it is a medium not only for communication or expression but for effect. This paper exposes a myriad of challenges assailing the female gender in the Tigania Community, whose patrilineal set up is deeply entrenched, this woman had desperately resigned to her fate

The Language of Kikuyu Popular Artists as “Community Spokespersons” On Ethnic Cleansing in Kenya

This paper focuses on popular songs that were performed on Kenya’s mega historical period of 2007/2008. The country experienced socio-political conflict precipitated on the winner of the Presidential race, hence the ethnic cleansing. New Historicism arrives at a deeper insight into the context of the songs. It is interested in the reconstruction of the actual relations among people at a particular time. The presidential aspirants named in the chaos, remain historical personages in Kenya. This discussion reveals the interaction between poetics and political history. The discussed poets immersed themselves in the real historical phenomena positioning themselves as spokespersons on the upheavals. The chapter is based on song-texts selected from Gikuyu artists who engaged the audience on the events

Learner support system and academic performance of distance learning students in selected Kenyan public universities

Distance learning is a mode of study globally accepted as a tool for enhancing access, equity and quality in education. The Kenyan Government has put in place mechanisms to promote open and distance learning practices in educational institutions. However, there is doubt in Kenya, regarding the quality of academic performance attained by distance learning students. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of learner support systems on the academic performance of distance learning students in selected Kenyan public universities. The study is based on Pragmatism due to its focus on objectivity and the use of scientific methods. Mixed-methods research methodology was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 847 Bachelor of Education (Arts) distance learning students, 149 lecturers teaching distance learning students, and two (2) administrators in charge of distance learning programmes. The research instruments consisted of questionnaires, interview guides, document analysis and the instrument for measuring academic performance. The findings indicated that a learner support system statistically, significantly and positively influences academic performance of distance learning students, although at a low level (4.9%). However, the findings revealed that guidance and counselling support, which is part of the learner support system, did not significantly influence the academic performance of distance learning students. The study recommends that particular focus should be on the provision of remotely accessible guidance and counselling services since most distance learning students cannot physically access the services which are on campuses