Utilization of Work-Based Learning Program to Develop Employability Skill of Workforce (Craftsmen) In Construction Industry Towards Industrial Development

This study examined the utilization of a work-based learning program (WBL) to develop the employability skills of craftsmen in the construction industry towards industrial development. Also, it determines the influence of WBL on employability skills of craftsmen challenges militating against effective utilization of WBL, and strategies/techniques for improving utilization of WBL to develop competency and employability skills of craftsmen in construction industries. A descriptive survey research design was used and data was obtained using a structured questionnaire known as the Employability Skill Inventory Checklist. 95 site managers in construction industries and technical instructors in private vocational centers/colleges in Lagos State participated in the study. The analysis was carried out using SPSS version 16.0 for data computation. Mean was used to answer three research questions. Findings revealed that WBL enhances the employability potential of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates by promoting their soft skills, technical and vocational skills. Challenges against the utilization of WBL include; activities related to WBL programs that do not fit neatly into traditional school and lack healthy collaboration between TVET and industry. Also, recommended techniques/strategies for WBL include maintaining frequent communication between parents and teachers, producing regular reports that track each student’s progress; skill, knowledge, and attitude should be derived from work undertaken

Individual and Technological Factors Affecting Undergraduates' Use of Mobile Technology in University of Ilorin, Nigeria

The proliferation and utilization of handheld mobile technology among undergraduates for mobile learning cannot be underestimated. This study was geared towards investigating individual and technological factors affecting the perceived usefulness of mobile technology by undergraduates in university of Ilorin. The study was a descriptive research of the survey type. Samples were randomly drawn from all students in the 15 faculties. A total of 100 undergraduates were sampled. Two research questions, and one hypothesis was tested. Mean was used to answer the research questions; while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the relationship between the technological and individual factors. Findings from the study revealed that the technological and individual factors positively affected the perceived usefulness of mobile technology among undergraduates. More so, there was a positive relationship between technological and individual factors that affected perceived usefulness of mobile technology. Based on the findings, it was concluded that both the individual and technological factors affected the perceived usefulness of mobile technology positively. It was recommended that students should be encouraged in the use of Mobile technology devices for learning

BIOLOGY TEACHERS’ SELF-EFFICACY IN THE USE OF VIRTUAL LABORATORY FOR INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

A virtual laboratory is an interactive environment meant for creating and conducting simulated experiments in real-time in science subjects. This study investigated Biology teachers’ self-efficacy in the use of Virtual laboratory for instructional delivery in Secondary Schools in Nigeria. The study was descriptive research using a cross-sectional survey type. The purposive random technique was used to select 261 respondents from fifteen (15) senior secondary schools in Ilorin. The researcher-designed questionnaire was developed and validated by three educational technology experts and two biology experts. The instruments were pilot-tested at Offa Grammar School; Cronbach Alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument; the coefficient was 0.91. Three research questions were raised and answered. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.005 level of significance. Findings revealed that Biology teachers’ self-efficacy in the use of the virtual laboratory for instruction in Ilorin is high; there is no significant difference between male and female Biology teachers’ in their self-efficacy in the use of the virtual laboratory for instruction and there is no significant difference in the Biology teachers’ in their self-efficacy in the use of the virtual laboratory for instruction based on the years of experience. The study concluded that females are coming up in matters concerning ICT, so they should not be discriminated against; among others. The study, therefore, recommended strongly that the issue of gender difference in the use of ICT resources for research is gradually becoming narro

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD

Artificial intelligence is a branch of Computer science concerned with designing intelligent devices that display features or characteristics related to human intelligence. Its application in education is essential as it makes learning effective and efficient. However, there are challenges that face the use of AI in instructional delivery. This study, therefore, discussed AI in education, its challenges, and the way forward as it relates to instructional delivery. The study concluded that AI in the present era is relevant and good for instructional delivery and recommended among others that teachers and facilitators key into using AI for instructional delivery. &nbsp

Cultural And School Factors As Predictors Of Mathematics Teachers’ Use Of Information And Communication Technology (ICT) For Instruction In Ogun State

This study aims to find out if culture and school factors serve as predictors of mathematics teachers’ use of information and communication technology for instruction in secondary school. The sample for this study comprises 171 secondary schools’ teachers from 17 government-owned secondary schools in Ogun State, Nigeria. Data were collected through a questionnaire. The result shows that culture does not serve as a predictor of mathematics teachers’ use of ICT for teaching but school factors serve as a predictor of mathematics teachers’ use of ICT for teaching. It was also discovered that there was no significant relationship between culture and school factors as predictors of mathematics teachers’ use of ICT for teaching. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the obtainability of ICT facilities and other factors in school is important to mathematics teaching.

Candidates’ Assessment of the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board Programme in Nigeria

This study investigated the Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB)’s candidates’ rating and assessment of the programme in Nigeria within the blueprint of quantitative paradigm of the descriptive survey research design. The participants consisted of 139 JUPEB candidates during the 2019/2020 session enrolled in three universities. Three research questions and one null hypothesis were raised to guide the study. Data collected through the Current JUPEB Candidates’ Questionnaire (Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.87) were coded on the SPSS version 24 in which the research questions were answered using percentage and mean and the null hypothesis was tested using an independent samples t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that the current JUPEB candidates rated and assessed the JUPEB Programme in terms of quality and access and in terms of facilities and logistics for examinations respectively as satisfactory and that they would recommend the Programme to family and friends. Also, there was a statistically significant influence of type of university on their rating, in favour of the government-owned university. Based on these findings, it is recommended that university governing councils should make substantial funding available for the JUPEB centres to increase quality of outputs from the JUPEB centre